Nic's Devotion: An Endless Series: Book One (6 page)

     “Hey, I just learned something today. Lacrosse has
different types of shafts and you fit a head on it, and they require arm
guards.” I stated proudly. “I have to say I’ve been studying the most familiar
sports I know like baseball and football, hadn’t gotten to lacrosse yet.”

     He grinned and there was affection in it I hadn’t seen
in a long, long time. Parental affection. My heart clenched in loss and I
looked down fiddling with some papers on the counter in case my face displayed
my pain.

     “I know it won’t take you long to get them all down
pat. Have to be smart to get an academic scholarship here. Professor Gale gave
me one of the longest positive references I’ve ever received on behalf of a
prospective employee.” John said. 

     I felt my cheeks heat at the praise, in both discomfort
and pleasure. Professor Stephanie Gale was one of my course Professors, but I
was also one of her part-time TA’s. “I’m just glad you gave me a chance. I know
I don’t have a lot of experience under my belt.”

     “You’re young, won’t hold that against you.” He
grunted, shuffling some paperwork on the counter in front of him.

     Looks like both of us were getting uncomfortable at the
mush fest.

     The door jingled saving us.

    “Should start picking up now that’s its closer to the
afternoon; everyone waking up from their late night of drinking.” The amusement
on his face said loud and clear he remembered those days well…and with
fondness.

     I grinned and shook my head. So far I liked this job
way better than the waitressing gig. The girls at the restaurant had been kind
of catty, and running around on your feet for hours was really tiring. Also, it
was a crapshoot what kind of patrons you’d get stuck with. At least with this
job you only had to deal with them for a couple minutes rather than being stuck
with them for an hour, and I didn’t have to worry about getting jipped on a tip
at the end of it all. I was actually making a little more here on the average
than I had at the restaurant. John had also implied that if I stayed on that
there would be opportunities for raises and advancements in the future, and he
was way more lenient concerning scheduling since it was a campus job, and he
said I could get overtime. It would be a good place for me to stay for three or
four years while at school.

     I stayed busy for the rest of my shift. It seemed when
everyone woke up the ‘thing’ was to go shopping. We got a variety of customers
from; athletes, to students, to adults supporting their favorite teams. There
were a lot of freshmen buying cloths with the schools insignia, especially
girls. They’d come in giggling packs gossiping about their favorite players,
and I was surprised to hear Nic’s name mentioned several times. It seemed he
was very popular. After hearing his name a third time I noted I was getting
that same twinge in my chest each time his name was mentioned. It was odd.

     It was close to the end of my shift and I was fixing a
stack of shirts that some customer had demolished trying to find the right size
when a group of girls came in. They strolled my way and began rummage through
the fans t-shirt jersey rack. Their conversation floated my way.

     “I’m going to get number seven, Nic’s number. God, he
is so hot. We got together a few weeks ago and he was the best I’ve ever had,
hands down.” She giggled and the rest of her clique joined in.

     Got together? Best she ever had? Was she talking about
sex?! My heart dropped at the thought. I shifted and took a peek at the girl.
She was very beautiful with long light brown hair, perfect make-up, and a nice
body. All the girls were pretty and dressed in expensive stylish clothes. My
heart did another nose dive.

     “Nic’s known to get around. You might get one or two
more shots at him but only if you keep it casual. I’ve heard he stays clear of
any girls that even think of attaching themselves to him.” Another girl
informed her friend.

     “Most guys are like that until the right one comes
along and shows him what he’s missing. He had a great time with me; the sex was
awesome. That guy is an animal, and talk about hung.”

     My stomach rolled and my earlier breakfast was
attempting to make a serious comeback. I walked away not wanting to hear
anymore. I didn’t know if I was getting sick because of the sex talk or because
it was concerning Nic. Sex talk usually just made me uncomfortable, but I’d
never become nauseous before.

     Sex was like a course of its own at college. Everyone
talked about it, examined it, and availed themselves of it. I shuddered
reflexively, but got myself under control. Just because I wasn’t all that
interested in it didn’t make it wrong for other people to do it. I wasn’t going
to allow additional issues to take root in me just because of what happened to
me. Sex was a natural part of life and it was normal for people to engage in
it.

     Unfortunately, what I’d heard made me wonder why Nic
was so friendly towards me. Guys hit on me but they were usually more obvious
in their attentions; asking me out within minutes with the worst pick-up lines,
or acting in a manner that was really inappropriate. A handful had been nice
with their attentions but I still wasn’t interested in going out with anyone.

     What were Nic’s intentions?

     I slapped myself internally; that wasn’t the way to
think. Nic had been nothing but polite and sweet, and I wasn’t going to attach
possible intentions to his behavior. That was self-destructive. I’d told myself
when I started college that I was going to be more open to making friends. I
hadn’t made too much progress in that direction yet, but that didn’t mean I
couldn’t start. Nic may have not liked being called ‘sweet’ but he definitely
had been, and I had to admit he made me smile more than I had in a long time. 

     I grinned, pleased with my self-reflection. Therapy was
paying off. Well, therapy had been paid for by the state so the state got the
credit. Actually, I’d have to give the credit to Dr. Mona Mathews. She’d been a
God-send. I would have spiraled down into crazy if not for her.

     The girls were making their way to the counter. I
followed and stepped up to the register.

     “All set?” I had to force a pleasant smile.

     “Obviously.” The girl that had ‘gotten’ with Nic
replied snidely, setting a number seven jersey size small on the counter.

     My smile froze in place.
‘Nasty much’
.

     I rang up the price. “$35.60.” I said pleasantly…I
hope. She gave me a credit card. “Can I see your I.D., please?” 

     She rolled her eyes but flipped open her ‘made from
some animal skin’ wallet. Beatrice Trent. I felt a twinge of sympathy for the
girl. If I had Beatrice as a name I’d be in a constant state of irritation too.

     “Thank you.” I said amiably. Finishing up the order I
folded up her shirt and bagged it. The idea of her wearing Nic’s number gave me
a sick feeling. I had a random thought of her spilling something on it making
it completely unwearable. I shook my head...she’d just come back and buy
another with that gold card she had.

     “Have a nice day.” I said.

     They all had ‘whatever’ expressions on their faces.

     “Nice hat,” one of the other girls remarked with a
twitter. Additional twitters came from the other two.

     I almost reached up and touched my hat but stopped
myself. It was a nice hat, but I knew that’s not what they were implying with
the ‘nice’.

     “Thanks, I like it.” I responded.

     They rolled their eyes this time and walked away. No skin
off my back. Whatever problem they had was all on their side. I’d learned to
let the words of some people roll off me like water. As long as they weren’t
too personal it worked marvelously. While guys could be a nuisance with their
attentions, females seemed to take an instant dislike to me or just seemed
cautious around me. I wished the guys would be that way a lot of the time. The
more I could get lost in the wood work the better.

     I almost smacked myself after that thought; I needed to
break out of my self-imposed isolation not acerbate it.

     One-thirty rolled around and Nic never made it back for
his ID. I figured John would know a way to get it to him if he somehow forgot
it. I felt some disappointment at not seeing him again…okay, the disappointment
might have been more than a little, but it had just been really fun bantering
with him. I didn’t open up to a lot of people but for some reason he’d been
really easy to talk to. I wandered if he would come in again soon.

Chapter Five

NIC

     “You’ve been smiling your ass off for the last three
hours of practice, even when Coach Renald’s gave you an extra mile for being
four minutes late. It’s not normal and it’s freaking me out. So quit it.”
Landon grumbled tiredly. He slumped down on the bench in the locker room
pulling off his sweat soaked jersey.

     We were all covered in sweat, dirt and grass. Lacrosse
was a messy sport and we loved it. I had especially loved it today. Practice
had been good; the rookies had stepped up and gotten their shit together, and
I’d had no back talk from Curt which always made practice better. I was riding
a high, and it wasn’t just from the sport. That extra mile hadn’t fazed me at
all. 

     “It was a good practice.” I exclaimed, ripping off my
shirt. Sitting on the bench I unlaced my shoes quickly and unpeeled the socks
from my moist feet; next came my shorts and jock strap. I dropped the pile of
stink into my mesh bag. Wrapping a towel around my waist I headed for the
showers.

     “Hey, are we being timed and I don’t know about it?”
Evan called from behind me.

     “Things to do.” I yelled back.

     I was the first one in the showers, and the first one
out. Opening my locker I pulled out the pants and shirt I’d worn earlier. I was
dressed when Evan came out with Noah behind him. Landon and Seth were shower
hoarders so they’d be awhile.

     “So what are these important things you have to do? Are
they blonde or brunette?” Evan asked with an eye waggle.

     “That looks like two caterpillars having seizers when
you do that; please refrain for my delicate sensibilities.” I combed my hair
back and then shook it; I didn’t do the slicked back look.

     “Ooh, it’s a red head then. Feisty.” Evan ignored my
earlier advice and waggled again.

     I sat down and pulled on fresh socks and shoes.

     “I think someone is ignoring us. Why would that be?
Must be something nefarious.” Noah commented slipping on fresh boxers.

     “Big word from such a tiny man.” I said pulling on my
jacket.

     “I may be a couple inches shorter than you in height,
but I make up for it in length.” He adjusted his dick under his underwear.

     “Wishin’ on a star, dude, wishin’ on star.” I laughed
grabbing my stuff and bouncing out of there. “See you later, losers.” 

     Seth stepped out of the showers as I was leaving and I
could feel his probing gaze following me out the door. I hadn’t told any of
them about meeting Carrie this morning. I hadn’t wanted to answer any
questions. My good mood after a week of cranky-ass had them all looking at me
curiously though, wondering what was up. I just played it off as a good
practice day.

     “Nic?”

     I was opening the door to my truck and turned in
frustration at being impeded from leaving. “Yeah?”

     Walking up to me was a girl with light brown hair
wearing my number seven jersey that was a little too tight. Her coat was
unfastened, probably to display the jersey, and her nipples that were poking
out in protest of the cold.

     It was January and the temperature was thirty-seven
degrees. Button up, girl! 

     “How was practice today?” She asked. As she got closer
I vaguely remembered her as someone I’d screwed a few weeks back. I searched my
brain for a name…nothing.

     “Good. I’m afraid I can’t talk right now though, I’ve
got somewhere I need to be.” I climbed into the front seat. 

     She walked right up to me preventing me from closing
the door. I gave her an impatient look hoping she’d get a clue.

     “One of my girlfriends is seeing one of your teammates
and I was dropping her off when I noticed you over here, and I thought that
maybe you could help me. I’ve got a terrible ache that really needs some
tending and I was thinking you had the tool for the job.” Her hand settled on
my leg and drifted up toward my groin.

     Grabbing it tightly I detached it. She looked at me
with calculated lust filled eyes and wet her red lips with her tongue. Before I
might have been all over that invitation, but I only had one girl on my
thoughts at the moment; a girl with ice blue eyes exhibiting an innocent
guilelessness that I found much more appealing. I hadn’t yet made a decision on
what I was going to do in regards to her, but nobody else held any interest to me. 

     “I told you, I have prior plans.” I replied as politely
as I could, but was unable to keep all the aggravation out of my tone.

     Her eyes flickered with disbelief at my refusal. Get it
in your head girl, I’ve got plans.

     “I’ll see you around.” I gave her a perceptible push so
I could close my door. She stood there as I pulled away, finally zipping her
jacket up. I didn’t look back.

     Five minutes later I was pulling up to the Sports
store. I had to stop back in and get my I.D., and if I got to see Carrie again,
that was bonus…subconsciously I knew my thinking was backwards on that.

     Damn, there was a shitload of cars and people. I
wouldn’t be able to have any kind of real conversation with Carrie with so many
people around. If I monopolized her she’d probably get into trouble. John was a
pretty cool guy but I didn’t want her on his bad side. Maybe just a quick chat;
I could convince her to give me her number.

     And the irony of that didn’t escape my notice.

     I walked into the store and moseyed around looking for
Carrie, but didn’t see her anywhere. I did see John manning the desk.

     “What’s up John?” I said walking up.

     “Hey, Nic; got something for you.” John turned and
grabbed an envelope off the cork board with my name written on it and handed it
to me. My heart picked up at the thought that even though she was gone she’d
left me something. Maybe her number.

     I opened it up and was surprised at the disappointment
that filled me at only seeing my ID. Looking up I saw John smirking at me.

     “Expecting something else?” He asked.

     “No.” I replied tersely.

     His face turned serious. “Thinking she was going to
leave you her number, huh? Carrie isn’t that kind of girl.”

     “I know that,” I exclaimed in annoyance.

     “You figured all that out this morning did you?” He
grinned.

     “No,” I grunted. “This morning isn’t the first time
I’ve run into Carrie.”

     John studied me intently. “She’ll be working here
almost every day so I’m sure you will probably run into her again.” He said
casually. A customer came up to the counter to be checked out. “I guess maybe
I’ll be seeing you around.”

     Yeah, maybe.” I shrugged just a casually. 

     I walked back to my truck in a more subdued manner than
when I arrived. The store was closed tomorrow as it was Sunday, but Monday was
only two days away…
if
I still wanted to see her.  

     I was starving so I pointed my truck toward the food
district. Pulling up to the corner where campus connected to the main road I
sat there waiting for the light when my attention was caught by a figure
huddled in the corner bus depot. The person was completely covered from head to
toe, but I recognized those khaki pants and beanie cap.

     With no real thought of what I was going to do I drove
up to the curb in front of her and rolled down the passenger window. Leaning
over the passenger seat I yelled. “Hey, are you following me?”

     Carrie stared at me in surprise for moment but then one
side of her mouth twitched up. “Each place we’ve met I’ve been there first, so
how can I be following you?”

     “Maybe you’re psychic and you’re just getting there
ahead of me.”

     “If I was psychic I would utilize it in a much better
way than to follow you around.”

     I laughed; she got me good with that one. “Like I said,
you are cruel. My self-esteem just plummeted twenty percent. You should make it
up to me by having lunch with me.” The invitation flew from my lips impulsively
surprising me because I didn’t invite females to eat with me, but I found I
really wanted her to say yes.

     An uncomfortable look crossed her face.” My bus is
going to be here any minute.”

     If I was able I would have kicked my own ass. She
wasn’t going to get into a vehicle with someone she barely knew. A lot of other
girls would have because they’d heard of me, but Carrie wasn’t one of those
girls.

     “Hey, we don’t have to go off campus. I’ll park just
around the corner and we can walk to one of the eateries.” Her face still
looked uneasy so I dusted off my charm and smiled. “If you’re not in a hurry to
be anywhere I’d really like some company for lunch. I lost about three thousand
calories this morning and I’m almost faint with hunger.” Her look of uncertainty
waivered. “Please.” I added, hoping to topple her over the edge.

     I’d never had to put half this much effort into a girl
before, and it was just for lunch. Why I was doing it at all was a puzzle I’d
figure out later.  

     She was biting her lips and it was driving me crazy.
Blood was pooling in my dick at an alarming rate making it throb with each one
of her tugs. The flesh popped free of her teeth looking plumper, cherry red,
and wet, and I swear some cum actually leaked from my tip. I gasped at the
feeling. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. How in the hell was I going to get out
and walk?

     I hadn’t realized I was into self-torment, until I
found myself urging her again. “I’d really like to find out how a sixteen year
old handles college life.” I teased huskily.

     A look of humor and then determination suddenly crossed
her face. “Okay, okay.” She stood up and walked up to my truck. “I’m going to
get in this truck with you because John said you had ‘good character’, but I
want to stay on campus, okay?” It wasn’t difficult to see by the uncertain and
uneasy look on her face that she was going outside her comfort zone in
accepting my offer.

     “No problem,” I said hastily with an inward grin.

     She opened the door and hauled herself up into the
seat. “Can they make these things further from the ground?” She grumbled,
shutting the door.

     I chuckled as I checked traffic for a break to execute
a u-turn. “I was thinking about putting bigger tires on her.”

     Carrie’s head fell back and she groaned. “Please do not
tell me you refer to your vehicle as a female.”

      I scoffed at her negativity. “Well, she’s my baby,” I
said caressing the dash lovingly, “and females like it when a man calls them
baby or babe.”

     She looked at me with open mouth incredulity.
“Seriously, you’ve met girls that actually like that?”

     “Well, I’ve never called a girl by that name, but Noah,
my roommate calls his girlfriend baby all the time. She laps it up.” A break
finally opened in traffic and I took it.

     “Huh.” She grabbed the ‘oh shit’ handle as I spun the
truck around. “If we are going to use baby as a reference to gender than the
truck should be male, because it is widely known, much more than your obscure
correlation, that men act like babies.”

     “Oh, we’re going to get personal now are we?” There
were so many sexual innuendos’ I could throw out there, but I decided to keep
it PG. “What about the bras that we can buy for our vehicles?”

     Rose colored her cheeks as she harrumphed, but then her
face went even more red. I just knew that something inappropriate had crossed
her mind and I had to know what it was.

     “You look like you could fry an egg your face it’s so
hot. What’s going on in that mind of yours?”

     She shook her head vigorously. “No, I can’t say it. I
can’t believe I thought it.” She said sounding scandalized.

     I smiled at her tone. “No way, you can’t do that to me.
I’ll go crazy by the end of the day trying to figure out what it was. It will
be like having a Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber song playing non-stop in my head
slowly driving me…”

     “Okay, okay,” she laughed nervously. “Please stop with
the guilt trip.” She took a breath and looked straight ahead. “I was thinking
that when people want to protect their cars from the weather and stuff they
cover it so it stays nice, and new, and…uncontaminated.” Her face turned redder
if that were possible and she was pursing those plump lips.

     I stared at her for a second in amazement, and then
burst out laughing. I laughed so hard I actually teared up. Carrie’s shoulders
began to shake. She covered her mouth and looked at me with tears of laughter
in her eyes, but also surprise like she couldn’t believe that she’d said what
she’d said out loud, or that she was finding it so hilarious.

     This girl seemed to hold so much inside of her and I
could see that it was dying to get out.

     I can’t believe I was noticing all these things about
her.

     Fuck! I was in so much trouble.

Chapter Six

Carrie

     I can’t believe I said that, but man it felt so good to
laugh. When Nic asked me to go to lunch my first response was to decline
because that’s what I normally did when anyone invited me to do something. It
was safe. In the last four years I haven’t let anyone get close to me except
for Carl and Mona, but Mona had been paid to get close to me and she’d pushed
and pushed until I’d finally let her in. I didn’t have her personally guiding
me any longer but I did have the lessons she’d imparted in me; lessons to not
close myself off from those around me. 

     I’d been knocked down just a week ago but I didn’t want
to be that person who just lays there and takes it. I wanted to be stronger
than that. After all these years I suddenly felt like I was ready to take a
chance and open myself up to something new, to someone new. So swallowing my
trepidation I forced myself out of my comfort zone and accepted Nic’s invitation.