Nic's Devotion: An Endless Series: Book One (14 page)

     Beatrice gave Amanda a malicious glare. “I wasn’t
eavesdropping; I saw Nic and I was coming to say hello.” Beatrice turned her
attention back to me. “We
know
each other and I just wanted to
congratulate him.”

     The emphasis she put on
‘know’
wasn’t difficult
to hear and catch the reference to. That nauseous feeling wanted to settle in
my gut again at the thought of Nic ‘
knowing’
this girl, or any girl for
that matter, but I pushed it back.

     Not wanting to get into some kind of nasty word
slinging match with one of Nic’s past…whatever’s, I forced a smile. “I’m sure
he would have appreciated it. Maybe next time you see him.”

     In some way I commiserated with Beatrice; she must have
feelings for Nic if she’d slept with him. Sure, she didn’t seem like a very nice
person, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be hurt when he didn’t return her
feelings.

     Amanda gave me a look of surprise. Beatrice just looked
spitefully baffled. 

     “Yes, I’m sure he will appreciate the congratulations I
give him.” Beatrice said with a salacious grin.

     Another sexual innuendo; did she take a class on them?

     She turned to leave.

     Amanda seemed to have one more thing on her mind. “I’m
pretty sure the word was
knew
each other. You know, in the past tense of
the expression.” She called out after Beatrice.

     Beatrice threw her a glare but continued up the steps.

     I couldn’t help grinning at Amanda’s comment.

     She grinned back. “It was sitting on my tongue and it
wasn’t going to be held back. I can’t believe you took the high road. I was so
ready to give her a slap down.”

     “She wasn’t worth it.” I shrugged it away.

     “Truer words were never spoken.” Amanda state
emphatically.

     We switched our conversation to a better topic and I
forgot about Beatrice. I learned that Amanda was going to school for
advertising, Noah for business. I shared my major and told her about my
scholarship. Time flew and before long we heard the tromping of feet and saw
Nic and Noah making their way toward us. They were freshly showered and back in
their dress clothes.

     “You ready to go girls, because we’re starving. I need
at least half a cow to replace what I’ve lost.” Noah gave me wink at the cow
reference.

     “I don’t know, I nice salad could do you wonders or
maybe even a nice liquid drink.” I retorted.

     He laughed and punched Nic. “Dude, your girl is calling
me fat again.”

     “Your hips are getting a little wide.” Nic remarked
critically.

     Noah threw up his hand. “Where’s the love.” He
complained.

     Amanda held out her arms. “I love you, babe.”

     I made a totally fake gasp and looked at Nic. “You told
me that Noah called Amanda babe. Your female truck argument has been totally
shot.”

     Nic gave Noah and Amanda a dirty glare. They looked at
us in confusion. We then got into a huge debate as we all walked out of the
stadium. It ended unresolved.

Chapter Twelve

NIC

     After lunch I dropped Carrie off at work and initiated
another kiss. This time I held it long enough to actually move my lips, but it
was still short, albeit sweet. When I pulled away there was a blush to her
cheeks and she’d fumbled for the door handle after stammering out a ‘bye’.

     I watched her as she dashed toward the store with a
ridiculous grin on my face and a set of tight aching balls. It was a great day
besides those.

     I’d played one of the best games of my life. Knowing
Carrie had been in the stands to primarily watch me had amped up my game
exponentially. I’d never had anyone come to one of my games before. My parents
had certainly never cared enough to watch one, and I’d moved past caring if
they ever would. However, every time I’d looked up to see Carrie cheering and
smiling my chest had expanded and I’d had a kick start of adrenaline. It had
been an ultimate high having her there.

     Today the team had walked away with a win and I’d moved
on to kissing Carrie.

     No, it wasn’t a great day, it was an awesome day.

     I spent the rest of the afternoon getting the house
ready for the party with the guys. It consisted of moving stuff around, setting
up the torches in the backyard, hiding the breakables, and taping off the
stairs to the upper level…no one but us was allowed upstairs. We provided some
snacks and non-alcoholic beverages; everyone knew to bring their own alcohol if
they wanted it. We weren’t opposed to drinking; we just didn’t do it during the
season. 

     Amanda hung out to help gushing profusely about her
girl crush on Carrie and how gorgeous she was and that if she had any
inclinations toward girls she would have been all over that. It had just been
the four of us for lunch and Amanda and Carrie it seemed had bonded for life. I
knew Carrie had a hard time trusting and allowing people in but it looked like
Amanda had broken through some of Carrie’s reserves. 

     By seven-thirty I was chomping at the bit to get
Carrie.

     “Just go get her man,” Seth grumbled. “You’ve been
pacing and ogling that clock like you want to take it upstairs and have your
way with it.”

     “That’s not what he wants to take upstairs and have his
way with.” Landon snorted. I threw a glare his way and he held up his hands. “I
couldn’t resist.” He laughed.

     “Just watch what you say around her.” I cautioned.

     “I’ll try and restrain my scandalous comments.” He said
rolling his eyes.

     “She gets embarrassed easily, but she’s got a sharp
mind and tongue. She could cut you down to size with little effort.” I informed
him.

     Landon looked intrigued. I groaned at the challenge I’d
just issued.

     “Like I said, just watch what comes out of your mouth.”
I warned again.

     “Normally I only watch what goes in it, but for you…”
He smirked.

     Amanda came in the room with a gargantuan bowl of
pretzels. “Carrie can take care of herself. One of your previous bimbo’s
accosted us after you went to the locker room making a comment to Carrie about
you slumming it with her and that she would be ‘congratulating’ you the next time
she saw you.” Amanda air quoted congratulating with a disgusted look on her
face. “Carrie handled her with class, it was beautiful.” She chuckled. 

     My face burned with anger, and a little shame. Some
girls could be really catty and I wouldn’t be surprised if I screwed some of
the cattiest. Those were usually the easiest girls.

     “Do you know who it was?” I asked with a scowl, not
liking the thought of Carrie having to deal with that. 

     “I recognized her but don’t remember her name. If she
shows up tonight I’ll point her out to you.” She said.

     I gave her nod.

     “Like I said though, Carrie can take care of herself.”
Amanda repeated.

     I rubbed the back of my neck and debated on what I
should tell them about my concerns. “Yes, she can take care of herself, but she
also has a fragile side. I don’t want to go into it but I believe she’s gone
through something and it’s left a mark.”

     Seth nodded as if he’d already guessed this. I raised
my brow at him.

     “The girls gorgeous and tries to hide it.” He grunted
shortly.

     Yeah, he got it.

     Amanda frowned in concern. “Well, I can see how she
caught your interest. I actually felt a bit intimidated by her at first because
she’s unbelievably gorgeous, but Carrie has to be one of the sweetest girls
I’ve ever met, and if what you’re saying is true then just be careful. Not just
for her but for yourself too.”

    The room went quiet after Amanda’s heartfelt words. I
gave her a nod of appreciation but was uncomfortable with the emotional aspect
of the conversation. A roomful of girls might have been able to handle it, but
not three guys.

    “Don’t screw with her.” Seth rumbled breaking the
uncomfortable silence.

     Landon laughed. “You’re so eloquent man. Have you
thought about selling that shit to Hallmark?”

     “No, but I do write that shit on the wall in the guy’s
john and sign your name to it.” Seth grumbled. 

     Landon looked horrified.

     I laughed and headed for the door. “I’m out. See you in
a few.”

     I walked into the store five minutes to eight. The
store was empty and John was behind the register. He looked up at my entrance.

     “Hey, Nic, can you flip the sign; might as well close
it down now.” He said.

     I flipped the sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed’.

     John yelled. “Carrie, your rides here.”

     Five seconds later Carried came through the backroom
doors smiling, looking gorgeous, and sporting a pretty blush.

     “Hey Nic.” She said softly.

     John smiled at the both of us with a definite old-man
twinkle in his eyes…not that he was that old. “You two take off and have a safe
night.”

     Carrie grabbed her pack and came around the counter
towards me. “Thanks John.”

     Taking Carrie’s pack I slung it over my shoulder and
grabbed her hand. “Yeah, thanks John. See you later.” I pulled her out the
door.

     Opening the passenger door I lifted her up into the
seat just wanting to get my hands on her. She twitched and giggled. I think it
was the first giggle I’d heard from her and it didn’t grate on my nerves at
all.

     “Did I become suddenly handicapped; taking my bag and
now lifting me into your truck?”

     I grinned. “Can’t a guy be chivalrous and feel up a
girl at the same time.”

     Her cheeks were on fire but she chuckled. “It depends
on what you touch. That was a ticklish spot.”

     My brows rose in evil intent. “You’re ticklish, huh.” I
said sinisterly. 

     The expression on her face made me burst out laughing.
She’d looked comically terrified that I might climb into my cab and tickle her
to death. Tickling would have been the last thing on my mind if I’d gotten my
hands on her. I closed the door on her look of retribution.

     I climbed in the driver’s seat putting her pack in the
back. Carrie lifted her eyebrow at me. “I can’t be the only one ticklish.” She
said fishing.

     The thought of her hands on me sent my erection pulsing
more than the thought of my hands on her. Damn and shit!

     I shifted as unobtrusively as I could. “My skin is
tough.” I gruffly stated.

     She took my gruff tone as a tough man attempt. “That’s
what they all say. Everyone has a sensitive spot.” She retorted teasingly.

     I had sex on the brain because her mention of a
sensitive spot made me think of my dick. It was really sensitive right now…stiff-wind
sensitive.

     “Do you think you have the mettle to find out where it
is?” I asked huskily.

     I really hadn’t planned to say that, it just slipped
out. There was no way she could miss the sexual tension in my voice. Now I
could only see how she handled it.

     She blinked at my tone. At first her expression was
surprised, then cautious, and then a shy blush suffused her skin again as
curiosity and interest flared in her eyes.

     “I…I might.” She finally responded tentatively. 

     I was going to explode. I groaned in pain. “Carrie,
you’re killing me.”

     Her expression became worried. “What, how?”

     I took a deep breath. “It’s nothing, just a guy thing.”
I wasn’t going to tell her I was dying from blue balls.

     She scowled and then her eyes lit with understanding.
She glanced at my lap and what appeared to be disquiet passed over her face. My
erection died a little at the thought of her fear.

     “Nic?” She whispered looking out the window. “What are
we doing?” She glanced my way under her lashes.

     I froze for a second at her question. What were we
doing? I’d been pushing that question out of my head for a week not wanting to
define it, but now Carrie was forcing me to acknowledge it for what it was.

     Being the type of guy I was, or had been, the idea of
it had rubbed me raw. I was the consequential player, or bad boy; I didn’t
date
.
That word was taboo. However, as difficult as it had been to accept a couple
days ago it wasn’t any longer.

     Reaching out I enfolded her hand in mine. She only
tensed slightly before relaxing. “I think were dating.” I stated cautiously.

     Silence settled over the cab.

     “I’ve never dated before.” She stated nervously.

     Dark thoughts drifted through my mind.

     I forced a chuckle. “I’ve never actually dated either,
so maybe we could go slowly. That way we can get our feet wet together.”

     She smiled at my water reference.

     “Yeah, that would be nice.” She squeezed my hand and my
heart thumped in joy…
fucking
joy
…at going slow!

     Did I get hit in the head last week and sustain a
concussion no one told me about? Because I felt like I was walking an enigmatic
path to the land of bizarre…but hell, the path was paved in Carrie. Who
wouldn’t follow that?

     We arrived at the house a little after eight. No one
had shown up as yet; it was still early by college standards.

     Carrie looked at the house with wide eyes. “This place
is huge.”

     “Five guys live here, and we take up a lot of space.” I
reminded her.

     Grabbing her pack out of the back I headed around to
assist her but she was already coming around the front of the truck. Taking
hold of her hand I walked with her into the house. The guys were in the living
room watching the sports channel.

     “Hey guys, you remember Carrie.” I pulled her up next
to me and curved my arm around her waist, loosely. It was a couple’s move and I
waited to see how she would react.

     Tension rolled through her like a wave, but she relaxed
accepting the contact. 

     “Carrie!” They all cried out in unison and waved. A
grin flittered over her face at their exuberant welcome.

     Amanda came running into the room. “Carrie! Thank god,
another female. Come on, we’ll go upstairs and you can get ready. Nic, we’re
using your bedroom so I hope you cleaned up.”

     Before I could say anything Carrie and her pack were
pulled from my arms and hauled upstairs. Carrie threw an anxious look back at
me but all I could do was offer a sympathetic smile. Amanda was on a mission.