The Fling Apple, page 3
“Is that your boyfriend?”
“Not anymore.”
Memphis and I locked eyes.
“Are you using me to make him jealous?”
Now, that question snatched my attention back to Ashton; I was still in his arms. “I wasn’t the one who said I owed him a drink.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Are you trying to make him jealous?”
“Maybe.”
He smiled, he actually smiled. The expression on his face went right to the core of my belly, making it flutter.
“Lean into me.”
“What?”
“If you want to give him a show, then lean into me.”
“Ohhh…” I did as I was told. “Like this?”
“Yeah, but try not to look like I’m kidnapping you.”
I giggled, relaxing into his strong arms. In less than a second, he gripped onto my butt and sat me up on the railing, placing his body in between my legs.
“How about that for my big move?”
“That better be your cell phone that’s digging into me, Ashton.”
He leaned in close to my mouth, and I resisted the urge to gasp.
“You can call it whatever you want,” he rasped in a husky tone, making me swallow the lump in my throat.
There was no holding back what I was thinking. I blurted, “Are you doing this to help me make him jealous or because you like me?”
“Why do girls always have to put a label on everything? Why can’t you just live in the moment?”
“And what moment would this be?”
His mouth hadn’t moved away from mine. “The first time I kiss you.”
I didn’t have a chance to reply as his lips softly pecked mine, and it was the sweetest kiss I’d ever had. He slowly opened his mouth, and I followed his lead. Ashton’s tongue barely touched mine as I heard a voice from behind us say, “Happy birthday, Sage.”
Ashton didn’t move, nor did he stop. He simply gripped onto the nook of my neck and kissed me deeper, harder, like he didn’t hear Memphis, causing a heady moan to escape my throat.
This guy was unreal…
“Sage,” Memphis exclaimed. “What the hell is this?”
Ashton slipped his tongue into my mouth one more time before he softly pecked my lips. The expression on his face was the cockiest look I’d ever seen on anyone. He didn’t let me go, he simply spun his head around as if Memphis didn’t matter, and he wasn’t in the least bit intimidated by him which was rare.
Memphis had a presence about him. No one fucked with him.
Ever.
“Excuse me, asshole, you’re making out with my girlfriend.”
I jerked back. The audacity of this guy. “Ex-girlfriend.”
“We aren’t over, and you know it.”
I was going to give him a piece of my mind, but Ashton cut me off. “The taste of her tongue in my mouth says something different.”
My gaze caught Ashton’s.
Why was he putting himself out there for me? What did he gain from this? Did they have history? This couldn’t be all about me, right?
I was more confused than I had been before this party.
Guys are so weird.
My jumbled stare went back to Memphis. “You broke up with me, remember?”
“So what? You’re my girl, and everyone in this town knows it, so you must not be from around these parts, dickwad, because Sage is taken.”
“Fucking Ashton,” his friend who had been arguing with Aspyn earlier made his way over to us. “Do you have to start trouble everywhere we go?”
“Oh, so this is your big move?” I muttered low enough for only Ashton to hear me.
“I guess I’m a sucker for a damsel in distress.”
I arched an eyebrow. What do I even say to that? “And you’re willing to fight off the fire-breathing dragon you’ve just awoken?"
“For you? Definitely.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a fist hitting Ashton in the face knocked me right out of his arms and onto the ground. I hit it with a hard thud.
“Sage!” Aspyn came running toward me, falling to her knees in front of me.
“The fuck, man?! Who sucker punches someone when there’s a girl in his arms?” Ashton reached for my hand. “You alright?”
I nodded, grabbing his hand. Memphis didn’t allow it, and he shoved Ashton’s hand away.
“What’s your problem?”
Ashton didn’t back down, getting in Memphis’s face. “You. You’re my problem.”
His friend intervened, pushing him back. “Bro, it’s not worth it. Let’s go.”
Ashton’s gaze locked with mine. “You coming?”
“I’m sorry, Sage. I didn’t think he’d drop you.”
“You didn’t think I’d drop her? Are you a fucking idiot? She was in my arms and you, like the pussy you are, side-swiped me. What the hell did you think I was gonna do, fly?!”
I never expected what happened next.
Nope.
Never.
—Ashton—
Sawyer held me back, firm and steady like the good friend he was. This douche needed to get put in his place. I fucking hated that guy. He had crashed so many parties in our town this last year. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend with the way he slept around. His dick was a landmark for chicks to just hop on to.
Not that the boys and I were any different, but we didn’t have any strings attached to anyone. I might have been a lot of things; however, I wasn’t a cheater. Especially if I had a pretty girl like Sage to thrust balls deep into.
“Dude, let’s go. Now!”
“Yeah, listen to your bitch ass friend, and walk away with your dicks tucked in between your legs.”
Sawyer snapped around. “Who are you calling a bitch? I’m trying to save your ass.” He pointed at Memphis. “Not his. Ashton can fight, dickwad. He’d sweep the floor with your balls, so either you walk away or he’s going to show you what he can do with his fists.”
“I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!”
All eyes shot to the balcony upstairs. It was only then I realized we’d drawn a crowd. Cain came running out with his jeans around his ankles, his cock flopping free while he pulled up his boxers.
“Cain?” Sawyer called out, and his panicked stare found us below him.
“We gotta go! We gotta go! Abort! Abort! Code fucking blue!”
“What?” I exasperated, shaking my head.
“I said code fucking blue! You know what code blue means, Ashton! Her husband showed up!”
We all watched in disbelief as Cain pulled up his jeans and hauled ass off the balcony, climbing down the side of the house on the shutters.
“Husband?” Sawyer peered back at me.
Not even a second later, we saw this big motherfucker run out behind him, ready to kill.
“Oh shit…” I uttered—he was huge.
“Why the fuck are you guys still standing there?! We gotta go! I fucked up! I fucked up! Go get the truck! We got a runner!”
“Oh. My. God,” Sage spewed, only looking at me. “Is this what you guys do? Just cause trouble wherever you go?”
“How are you already having sex with someone?” Sawyer reprimanded. “We just got here.”
“I’ll tell you in the fucking truck! Now go get it!”
The husband ran back inside, and I figured we had less than a minute to get the hell out of there.
“How am I the only one who hasn’t stuck his dick or tongue in someone who is taken.” Sawyer looked around. “Anyone else want to make out with me before we leave? Actually…” He glanced at Sage’s friend. “Why don’t you put your tongue in my mouth, so I don’t feel left out?”
Cain fell on his ass, but quickly recovered and made his way over to us. “Abort! Go! Go! Go!”
He grabbed our arms, but I didn’t move as my stare lingered on Sage to come with us.
“Dude!” Cain grabbed my face. “I know you’re trying to be romantic and pull a romantic comedy out of this shit, but I’m literally about to get my ass kicked. Can we please go?”
The solemn expression on Sage’s face told me she wasn’t going to come with us, and for some reason it bothered me that she was going to stay with this shit-face who cheated on her all the time.
I was going to tell her. “He fuc—”
“You son of a bitch!” the huge husband hollered, interrupting me, sprinting out of the house full boar style.
“Dad!” the guy who threw the party called him, walking up to the scene of the crime Cain had committed.
Fucking Cain.
So much for ever coming back to this house again.
All that was left for me to do was tell Sage, “Happy birthday.” And we were out of there like we were Scooby fucking Doo.
Sawyer must have taken off at some point because his truck came into view, and he didn’t even slow down. We jumped into the bed of his Chevy, and he hit the gas. I couldn’t help myself. I turned around and locked eyes with Sage as she watched us hightail it out of there.
Our eyes never wavered from each other, and for the first and not last time in my life, I felt regret for what could have been. I wouldn’t see her again until years later, and by that time.
Everything had changed.
Everything.
Except…
My feelings for her.
Chapter 4
—Sage—
I watched them leave, and it made me feel sad.
Should I have gone with him? Why did it feel like I’d made a mistake?
I didn’t even get his number. I’d never see him again.
“Babe, I’m sorry,” Memphis expressed, bringing my troubled gaze back to him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He caressed the side of my face. “You sure are.”
This was Memphis, always the charmer. It was what made me fall for him in the first place. His flirty demeanor and banter worked like magic every single time he used his Casanova antics on me.
Although, this time, they weren’t carrying the same effect as they once did.
Was it because of Ashton? How could he impact me like this when I’d only just met him?
“Did you dress up for me?”
I nodded. It was the truth, I did.
“Sage.” Aspyn glared at Memphis. “Maybe we should go?”
“How about you leave, so I can be alone with Sage on her sweet sixteen?”
“Or…” she accentuated, cocking her head at him with her middle finger on her chin in a sarcastic gesture. “How about you eat shit and die?”
“Aspyn…”
“Oh, come on, Sage. You’re not falling for his shit again? He only wants you because someone else was interested.”
“Aspyn, why don’t you let Sage make her own decisions? Newsflash, you aren’t her mother.”
“Newsflash, you aren’t her boyfriend. You broke up with her.”
“And I’ve regretted it every day since.”
She scoffed out a snide chuckle, “Where were you this evening then? When everyone who loves her was singing her Happy Birthday, huh?”
“I was buying her gift.” He pulled out a small wrapped box from the inside of his jacket, and she eyed him skeptically. “Now, will you leave us alone?”
Still not convinced, she gazed over at me. “I’ll do whatever you want, Sage.”
I peered back and forth between them for a few moments until I responded with, “I’m okay. We will meet up later, alright?”
She reluctantly sighed, not happy with my answer. “I have my phone. Text me when you’re ready to leave.”
With that, she left, leaving me alone with the guy I’d referred to as the enemy only hours earlier.
“Come on, let’s get you a drink, birthday girl.” He grabbed my hand and led the way inside.
I thought about Ashton the entire time.
What was he going to say to me?
I could barely keep up with Memphis’s stride; he was walking really fast for some reason or another. Finally, after what felt like forever from having to push through the crowds of people at this party, we made it to the punch bowl. I was blown away by the fact that one of Ashton’s friends had sex with the mother of this house, and we weren’t kicked out.
What kind of family was this?
I shook away the thought, grabbing the drink that Memphis handed me. I didn’t have to be told twice, I drank the entire cup down. Wanting to forget about the stupid boy who just liked to play the part of the hero for the night.
“I guess I’m a sucker for a damsel in distress.”
“Sage, I really am sorry. Are you alright?”
“Maybe you should’ve thought about me before you hit him?”
“He should’ve known better than to put his hands on what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours, Memphis. You broke up with me, remember?”
“You know I didn’t mean it, Sage. You know I’m crazy about you, but what am I supposed to do? I’m going out of state for college, for the next four years. You know my dad wants me to go to law school. I have to carry on the family name.”
Memphis came from one of the richest families in our town. They came from a long line of wealthy, successful attorneys. I once overheard his father state on a phone call that he charged a thousand dollars per hour. His family was always nice to me for the most part. His mom seemed lonely, though.
“Yeah, whatever.”
I served myself another drink and then another one after that. I didn’t drink often, and I was definitely what you would call a lightweight. Things started to get a little fuzzy after that last drink, and I was beginning to feel better about the whole night in general.
“Did your slutty friend dress you?”
“Don’t talk about Aspyn that way. She’s the furthest thing from that.”
It was true. She was picky and had high standards. She never had a boyfriend and had no interest in one either. She was as independent as they come, and I admired that about her.
“Why doesn’t she like me? I’ve never done anything to her for her to treat me the way she does.”
“She’s just being protective over me. It has nothing to do with you.”
“She knows I love you, Sage.”
“Do you, Memphis?”
He brushed the hair away from my face. “Of course, I do. You’re my girl.” Leaning in, he kissed me.
Normally, I’d be weak in the knees for Memphis’s lips on mine. He was the best kisser.
Well, not anymore. Ashton.
He didn’t taste like him.
He didn’t smell like him.
He didn’t feel like him.
Stop thinking about him, Sage. He’s gone. You’re never going to see him again.
“I missed you, baby,” Memphis whispered in between kissing me. “Come on, I want to show you your present.”
I served myself another drink and finished it off by the time we were outside walking through the woods.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise, birthday girl. Now.” He grabbed the cup out of my hands and placed it on the grass. Blocking my eyes from behind me, he ordered, “Close your eyes.”
I didn’t consider the severity of what he was suggesting until we were already alone and in front of his surprise. He moved his hands away, and I opened my gaze.
“Wow…” was all I managed to express.
Gradually, I looked around at the bed of his truck which was parked near a river. The full moon was beaming above our heads, accentuating the makeshift bed he’d made for us. I stumbled back a little, and it was only then I realized how drunk I truly was. The booze running through my veins made it easy to follow his lead.
“You’re so beautiful, Sage.”
He helped me onto the bed of his Ford. It all happened so fast… One minute we were making out, and the next I was practically naked beneath him. I laid there in only panties, feeling completely exposed to him as he took in each and every curve of my body.
“How did I get so lucky?” he admired and grabbed my chin to make me look into his eyes.
He kissed me, and this time, it was more urgent and demanding. I went with it, and slowly, his hand found the edge of my panties.
“Memphis—”
“Don’t you want this?”
“This?”
“Me, Sage. I want you. I’ve waited long enough, don’t you think?”
We'd messed around before, mostly it was me getting Memphis off with my mouth, but we’d never had sex. We came close to it a few times, and I always made him stop.
“Don’t you want me?”
Did I? I guess…
“Look at everything I did for you. Let me finish giving you your present.”
I mean, I was already here. I loved him. At least I thought I did. “Do you have a condom?”
“Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, baby.”
I let desire take over, listening to him mumble about the condom as he placed it on.
“Do you want me to help?”
“No, I got it.”
When he was done, he kissed his way up my body and found my mouth again. Positioning himself on top of me, he rested on his elbows with my legs spread open. His dick nudged at my entrance, and he slowly and carefully eased his way inside me. The pain and discomfort I felt was almost unbearable. It didn’t feel like anything I’d seen in movies or read about in books.
“Jesus, baby, you are so fucking tight.”
He angled my leg a little higher and pushed all the way in. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t.
He must have noticed. “Oh shit. I thought it would be easier if I just pushed all the way in. Are you okay?”
“Mmm hmm,” I replied, wanting to hide the pain that I was sure was evident on my face.
He started to move, slowly at first, and I could feel the wetness as he slipped in and out.
There were no fireworks. The discomfort didn’t subside. To try to take my mind off the pain, I started counting the stars.
One.
