Page 7 of 3rd and 4 (Season of Change #3)

I think I’m gonna be sick. My stomach is twisting painfully, and my mouth is that weird dry and overfilled with saliva at the same time. The human body is weird.

Now’s not the time.

I have never liked Shaye, she’s a bitch.

But today…I fucking HATE her. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this level of anger before.

She crossed a line. Leapt right over it without regard for anyone else but herself.

I don’t give a fuck about her feelings, her daddy issues, or her self-worth. They aren’t my problem.

Daya is my only concern. I keep replaying the look on her face…

utter devastation. It crippled me momentarily, kept my feet frozen to the floor, even as she bolted with Eva’s help.

Then I took off like a rocket, calling her repeatedly, growling and cursing and scaring anyone in my way as I ran across campus to Daya’s dorm.

Her phone keeps going to voicemail. My frantic texts unanswered, they aren’t even read.

I can’t get a hold of her, and I hate myself that I’m not there to hold her.

I don’t care that I’m the reason she’s upset, I still want to be the person she turns to for comfort, even if I’m the one who pisses her off.

Outside her dorm, I shoot off a quick text to Ty, telling him we need to cancel.

I was so excited to see Ty and Lyndell, but I really wanted to introduce them to my girl.

They were visiting Ty’s middle school guidance counselor turned pseudo adopted parents for the last two weeks, so I haven’t seen them.

They’re back for the start of the school year, and Ty has meetings and practices as the school mascot.

I felt a little bad that I haven’t made time for Ty since Daya came into my life, though I know my best friend doesn’t mind.

He’s happy for me and he’s excited to welcome Daya into our little “school family”.

Ty: It’s been like a month; how did you piss her off already?

Addy: Not me…Shaye.

Ty: Bitch. What’d she do?

Addy: Ambushed me with a kiss in front of Daya.

Ty: Damn. I kinda want to knee you in the nuts.

Addy: What? Why? I didn’t do anything! What part of ambush do you not understand?

Ty: The part where you allowed yourself to be that close to a viper.

My steps slow and I nearly trip over my own feet. Dammit. He’s right.

Addy: Lesson learned.

Ty: Good luck groveling. I’ve heard oral settles a lot of arguments.

Addy: Don’t know from experience?

Ty: Not with anyone long enough to argue. Perhaps my oral skills are so good that it prevents any arguments from ever happening.

Addy: Asshole.

Ty: Yes! Play a little with her asshole, some girls really like it.

Ignoring him, I try calling Daya again. Voicemail. Fuck!

Standing outside her dorm, I scream, “DAYA!” at the approximate location of her window.

“DAYA MOUL! ANSWER YOUR PHONE!” I call, she doesn’t answer.

I text, she doesn’t respond. “DAYA! BABY, I’M NOT LEAVING UNTIL YOU TALK TO ME!

” I look around the ground for a pebble, a rock, a projectile of some sort to throw at her window.

Nothing. I’m coming up with a lot of nothing and I’m fucking pissed about it.

I’m pissed Shaye touched me without consent.

I’m pissed Daya saw it. I’m pissed she ran. I’m pissed she’s not answering.

I’m pissed at myself. I’m disappointed in myself.

Ty’s right, I should have been smarter around Shaye.

We know she’s always scheming; I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be in that position.

Yes, Shaye is guilty, but I’m just fucking dumb.

And that’s why I’m disappointed and pissed at myself. I fucked up. And hurt Daya—

The doors fly open, and my little ball of beautiful muscle runs full tilt toward me. Without thought, I open my arms and wrap them around her when she collides, lifting her up so I can breathe her in. She’s in my arms, she’s here.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I’ve never kissed Shaye, never been with her before. Would never be with her. She did it on purpose. Set me up. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner, I’m sorry I put myself in that position. I’m sorry you were hurt. Please—”

“Addy, shh. I overreacted; you didn’t do anything wrong. You can d-d-date or k-kiss whoever you want. I don’t have any claim—”

I rear back and stare at her aghast. What the fuck? “Yes, you do.” Her brows dip in confusion. It’s adorable but apparently, we have bigger problems than rogue kiss attacks. “The only person I want to kiss, EVER is you!”

“What?” she whispers, tears welling in her eyes. My poor girl.

“Daya, you can’t be serious. We’ve been dating for weeks. You absolutely have—”

“We have?” I drop her to her feet, cupping her cheeks, staring into her eyes.

“I thought so.” I chuckle, though I’m finding no humor in this situation.

Her nose wrinkles. “Did you think to tell me that at some point?”

“I thought you knew.” I shake my head, unable to figure out where things went wrong.

We’ve spent so much time together since we met.

Meals. Walks around campus. Spotting her at the gym.

I went to the bookstore with her and carried all her supplies.

Held doors open, pulled out her chairs. I haven’t kissed her, or pressed for more because I get the impression, she’s not very experienced.

I didn’t want to scare her off with how much I want her.

Her lips tip down in a frown. “I’ve never dated before. Never had a boyfriend. I don’t even have any male friends. Well, my brother, and you. I thought…I thought you just wanted to be my friend.”

I smile, can’t help it. She’s so adorably clueless. “I have female friends, Eva for example. But I don’t spend hours every day with them.”

“Oh.” I pick her up again and sit on the closest bench with her in my lap. Her eyes dart back and forth as her mind tries desperately to catch up.

She’s never had a boyfriend. Never dated.

She’s a virgin? My cock goes rock hard in my pants beneath her little tush at the thought that she’s completely untouched.

I’m a modern man and virginity is not a requirement, but I’m not going to balk at the idea of being the only man to ever touch her, kiss her, feel her tight pussy clutch my cock.

“But…I don’t…I don’t look like the other girls.” Her cheeks flame red as she leans closer to my ear to whisper, “I don’t have any boobs.” Cute and ridiculous.

I scoff, “Do you have nipples?”

“Uh…yes?”

I shrug. “Then I’m good. You got a slit between your muscular thighs with a tight little opening I can rut into?”

“Uh…yes?” she replies again, her words coming out more like a question.

Dropping my head to her neck, I breathe her in once again and trail my mouth up her neck to her ear.

“Then as far as physical requirements, I’m all set.

But Itty Bitty, I want to date you because of you.

Who you are, not what you look like.” I lean back to meet her eyes.

“Though, to be fair, you’re effortlessly gorgeous. ”

Her eyes widen comically, as she whispers with disbelief, “I am?”

I chuckle into her neck and squeeze her tight. “I guess, I’ve got my work cut out for me.” She’s totally worth it though.

She taps my shoulder; I sit up again to face her. “But you call me Itty Bitty because of my tiny boobs.”

“WHAT?!?” I shake my head violently, trying to dispel that absurd notion. “No, that’s not…you’re short.”

She snorts, “Oh, a different physical reason I have no control over then.”

“I like how short you are. Compact, portable, easy to carry around.” With a wicked grin, I speak softly but clearly, “Easy to throw you around where I want you while I drive into you so deep, you’ll feel me for days.

” Her breath hitches, her butt shifting in my lap, drawing a moan from chest. Focus, Addy!

“Too much?” I ask her, not wanting to scare her, but I need to make sure we’re on the same page.

“Maybe. I’m…I don’t know how to do this.”

I nod in understanding, excitement skittering across my skin, knowing I’ll be the one to teach her. Huskily, I suggest, “Let’s start with a kiss…” She scrunches her face up. I pushed too far too soon. “Or not?”

Her lips purse and her nostrils flare, like an angry little fox.

Daya crosses her arms over her chest. “You need to wash your face and brush your teeth. I don’t want to taste that skank.

” She sags as her bravado escapes her like air from a balloon.

“And I don’t know if I’m ready for that right now. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” I reply instantly. She has nothing to be sorry for. “We’ll go at your pace.”

Visibly relieved, she smiles softly. “Ok, thank you. Though…I might need a push now and then.” Her eyes sparkle with a little mischief.

God, I really want to kiss her right now. I decide to make her laugh instead. “I’ll push. I’ll push it real good.” I deposit her on the bench, stand up and break out an impressive running man as I sing the Salt-N-Peppa classic. She laughs, the sound doing funny things to my heart.

The laughter of everyone else watching does not.