Page 11 of Freestyle (Boys of Frampton U #2)

Rowyn

I ’ve been able to narrowly avoid Gray for weeks, picking up as many shifts as I could handle, but for some reason I feel like my time is up.

It’s Friday night and Mr. Ford is out of town, which leaves the three of us alone in this mansion.

Lyndsy mentioned Gray throwing a party tonight, and it just so happens to be a rare night that I’m off work.

I glance at the clock on the wall; it’s almost eight. I can’t hide forever.

“Are you going to just stand there all night?” Lyndsy’s voice breaks through my thoughts as she leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, a teasing smile on her lips .

“I don’t know, maybe I should just stay in my room,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant, but my heart races at the thought of facing Gray and probably Nix, too.

“Hell no! My brother throws the best parties and as your best friend, I can’t allow you to sit up here and rot away. Not happening, so get your cute ass dressed and come downstairs with me,” she insists, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Lyndsy still doesn’t know what’s going on between Gray, Phoenix and me, whatever it is. It’s a secret I’ve kept close to my chest, afraid of what it might mean for our friendship and the complicated dynamics with Gray being her brother.

“Fine,” I sigh, knowing she’s right. I can’t avoid them forever, and maybe facing them head-on is the best way to deal with whatever this is between us.

Maybe finding another guy tonight will push me in the right direction.

After I ran from them, I’m sure they thought I was crazy but all I could think about with Gray’s hand around my throat was a demented memory from my past. The darkness from that time still haunts me.

Lyndsy grins, clearly pleased with herself. “Now, let’s find you something killer to wear. You’re going to knock them all dead. ”

As she rummages through my closet, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and dread. Tonight is going to be interesting, to say the least.

The bass thumps through the crowded house, vibrating the very walls as laughter and shouts mingle with the blaring music.

Bodies sway and move, a sea of energy that pulses with the rhythm of the night.

Outside, the air is thick with the scent of summer, mingling with the aroma of grilled food and spilled drinks.

Inside, the atmosphere is electric, and I find myself lost in the chaos, the world outside fading away as I surrender to the beat of the music.

Chokehold by Austin Giorgio plays, and I’m drawn to the center of the dancefloor, the liquor coursing through my veins, loosening my inhibitions.

I let the music take me, each note wrapping around me like a warm embrace, drowning out the worries that have plagued me for weeks. For a brief moment, I’m free.

But just as the song begins to fade, a pair of large hands grip my waist, pulling me back against a solid chest. I gasp, spinning around to find myself face to face with Phoenix. My heart skips a beat, but not in the way I want it to.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I demand, pushing against his rock-hard abs, desperate to escape his hold.

“Dancing, sunshine,” Phoenix purrs in my ear, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “Why don’t you try it sometime?”

His words, laced with a potent mix of desire and challenge, ignite a fire within me. A spark of defiance flares, ready to leap from my tongue in a heated retort but before I can utter a single syllable, his lips are on mine, silencing me with a kiss that is both demanding and possessive.

The touch is electric, sending a shockwave through my system that is impossible to ignore.

His tongue invades my mouth, exploring with a boldness that leaves no corner untouched, claiming every inch as if it belongs to him.

As if he truly wants me. In that moment, it feels like it does.

My body responds to his touch, every nerve ending alive with sensation.

My mind, usually so clear and focused, clouds with a potent mix of desire and confusion.

I can’t give in to the moment, to lose myself in the heat of his touch and forget everything else. The thought of Lyndsy finding out stops me cold. The image of her face, filled with hurt and betrayal, flashes before my eyes, a stark reminder of the consequences of my actions.

I can’t do this. I can’t betray my best friend again, not like this. No matter how good it feels to be in Phoenix’s arms, no matter how much my heart aches for him to keep touching me, I know it is wrong.

“I can’t,” I gasp, breaking free from his hold and stumbling backward, putting distance between us. The heat of his touch still lingers on my skin, but the coldness of reality is seeping into my bones.

Phoenix’s eyes, usually so warm and inviting, now burn with a mixture of confusion and anger. The shift in his expression is like a physical blow, leaving me winded and aching.

“Fine,” he spits out, his voice laced with bitterness. “We’ll find someone who will.”

With that, he turns on his heel and storms away, leaving me standing there alone. The silence that follows his departure is deafening, filled only with the sound of my own ragged breathing and the pounding of my heart. Regret washes over me, a bitter tide that threatens to drown me.

How did I let things get so far?

How did I allow myself to be so consumed by desire that I forgot about loyalty and friendship?

Gray and Nix stand against the wall across the room, their eyes lock on mine for a moment before they pull a cute blonde into the corner.

She’s around my height and build with long hair hanging down her back, making anger prickle under my skin.

They are doing this intentionally. Did they plan this from the beginning?

Did they know I would shoot Phoenix down so they made sure to have a Plan B?

“Can you believe they invited that slut here?” Lyndsy’s words make me jump.

“I wasn’t staring,” I lie quickly, hoping the dim lights shield my flushed face.

“Everyone stares at Brittany. I heard she slept with a professor to get a better grade. Of course my brother would be all over that.” Her tone is laced with disgust and disdain.

I can’t help but wonder if they are sleeping with her. I don’t understand the emotions running through me. It’s not like I have any claim on them. I ran away from them for fuck’s sake. But…

“You okay, Row?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m just tired. We have a long drive back to school in the morning.”

“I’m ready to get back to campus, too.” Her voice takes on a dreamy tone. I turn my head back to Nix and Gray as they lead the girl upstairs. A sharp pain stabs through my chest as jealousy ripples through me. Was I just the appetizer until the main course arrived?

I watch them disappear, and the anger grows stronger. I have no right to be this jealous. After all, it was a one-night stand. It shouldn’t matter, but for some reason it does. My brain and my body are at war with each other, and I’m getting caught in the cross hairs.

Lyndsy notices me staring at where the three disappeared.

“She’s nothing but a walking STD,” Lyndsy remarks, her nose wrinkling in disgust. “Anyways, it’s the last night before move in day.

Let’s get you laid. How about this guy over there?

” she asks, gesturing to a tall, handsome stranger across the room.

“I don’t know. I think I’m going to head back to my room to make sure everything is packed and ready for tomorrow,” I mutter, glancing at the guy who looks like the kind of man who has never done a hard day’s work in his life.

“Nope, you’re coming with me. It’s your last night before we go back. We have to celebrate,” Lyndsy insists, grabbing my arm and dragging me towards the guy.

“Fine, but only one drink,” I concede, letting her lead the way.

“Hello, handsome. I’m Lyndsy and this is my friend, Rowyn,” she says, introducing us to the stranger. “And you are?”

He smirks, taking in our appearances with a hungry gaze. “I’m Drake, and let me tell you, you two are looking fine tonight,” he remarks, his eyes lingering on my cleavage. What a douchebag .

I shift uncomfortably, crossing my arms over my chest. “Thanks,” I mumble, wishing I were anywhere but here.

“I’ll let you two get acquainted,” Lynds laughs, winking at me before she walks off. If eye lasers could kill…I wouldn’t have a best friend anymore. I turn back to the twatwaffle in front of me.

“Sorry, just not feeling well tonight,” I explain, hoping he’ll take the hint.

Drake nods, his expression softening. “I get it, babe. But hey, if you need someone to take care of you, I’m definitely your man.”

“Yeah, that’s gonna be a no from me, but thanks anyways,” I scoff before turning away. His hand wraps around my waist and pulls me back. Fear trickles over my skin, feeling his firm grip on me.

“Get the fuck off of me, you psycho,” I seethe.

“Aww, come on, baby. I know you want me,” he purrs in my ear.

Before I can respond, Phoenix is there gripping the collar of Drake’s shirt, yanking him back around to face him. “I believe Rowyn told you to let her go.” His eyes are cold and devoid of any warmth.

The atmosphere crackles with tension, and the air is heavy with anticipation. I can sense the violence simmering beneath the surface, waiting to erupt. It’s a dangerous dance we’re all caught in, one wrong step away from chaos.

Drake’s words are barely audible as he apologizes. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean it.”

Phoenix’s grip tightens, his knuckles turning white. I can hear the strain in Drake’s voice as he tries to apologize again, his face contorted with pain.

“Sorry,” he repeats, his eyes pleading for mercy, but Phoenix’s anger is beyond any reasoning.

His voice is laced with venom when he speaks.

“Sorry isn’t going to cut it. You touched something that’s mine. ”

Drake doesn’t have time to react before Nix punches him square in the face, and blood immediately begins dripping down the bastard’s face.