The Good Girls (10 page)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Ellie

A
s I rounded the corner, I stopped short when I heard Tristan’s voice. His tone was calm, but it was his words that frightened me. “Where the fuck were you?”

“Tristan, I told you I was looking for El.”

“You blew me off. I don’t fucking appreciate it.”

“That hurts,” she whimpered.

I stepped into view and cleared my throat, causing Cara to jump, her hand on her chest. Tristan took a step back from her as his arm fell to his side. I watched her fingers slide over her forearm, and I knew he’d done something to hurt her. There’d been many times I’d witnessed his temper, and Cara had bruises that she’d try to explain away. I had no reason not to believe her, and Tristan was always kind and protective of me. As the pieces clicked into place, my stomach sank. Had he been hurting her all this time, and I never knew?

“Damn, El. You scared me.” Cara laughed nervously.

My gaze went to Tristan and back to Cara. I could see the embarrassment in her eyes. “Sorry. I…uh…just wanted to thank you for hanging out with me earlier. I really needed that talk about my mom. It helped. So…thanks.” I smiled, my eyes dancing between them. Cara’s shoulders slumped with relief, and Tristan’s features softened, the furrow in his brow smoothing.

“Anytime,” Cara replied as she looked to Tristan.

“I’m glad she was there for you.” His eyes fell to Cara. “Maybe next time just send me a text, okay, babe? I had no idea where you’d gone. You know how that bothers me.” He pressed his lips to her forehead before his gaze flicked to me, and he stalked out of the room.

“What was that about?” I asked as I stepped closer to her.

“I blew him off to go look for you. I should have texted him.” Her eyes did not meet mine.

“He sounded really angry.”

“He’s just been having a hard time with his parents, and they keep dragging him into all of their fights. Plus, I think he was kind of pissed when I left him with blue balls.”

I looped my arms around Cara’s shoulders and pulled her to my side. “Can you take me home, please?”

Cara nodded, laying her head on my shoulder as we went to find the guys.

The trip home was excruciatingly quiet, and I welcomed the bowl as it was passed back to me, more than happy to let a high wash away the stress of the evening. Cara sat up front next to Tristan, and I sat in the back, sandwiched between Luke and Cameron. Every few minutes Tristan’s eyes would land on mine in the mirror, and I knew he was still upset over what had happened earlier. I averted my gaze and tried to pretend nothing had happened.

By the time we made it home, I was practically shoving Cameron out of the door so I could get out of the stifling car and take a deep breath. We slipped into the house without making a sound, and I was surprised that when I went into my bedroom, Cara slipped in behind me and closed the door.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I slid my jeans down my legs and kicked them off onto the floor.

“I really am sorry about earlier.”

I shrugged as I pulled down my quilt and slid into bed. “It’s fine. I just wish you would tell me what is going on with you. Tonight was so out of character for you.”
What are you keeping from me?

“You don’t even know me.” She laughed sardonically as she shook her head.

“I don’t
know
you? I knew that something has been bothering you all evening, and your own fucking boyfriend couldn’t even tell.”

“That’s not fair.”

“No, what’s not fair is the position you put me in with your selectively homophobic significant other. What if he had gotten pissed off? Did you even think of that?”

“I wasn’t thinking at all, okay?” Her voice rose, and she snapped her mouth shut, trying to curb her anger. “We talked about this. I thought we were okay.”

“I don’t like the way he was talking to you when I found you guys.” I rolled to my side as I watched her pace the floor.

“It doesn’t even matter.”

“It matters to
me,
Cara, because
you
matter to me.”

She stopped pacing and looked over to me. “Tristan and I won’t be seeing each other much longer.”

“Why is that?” I sat up, shocked and ashamed to say I was hopeful. Was she going to break up with him?
Are you choosing me?

Shaking her head she looked over me. “School starts soon, and once he finds out I’m still actually in high school, he will end things anyway.”

“Oh,” I wasn’t sure why her answer bothered me, but I was happy that I wouldn’t have to worry about her being with someone who wasn’t treating her right. I patted the bed beside me and she smiled as she slipped her jeans down over her hips, leaving her in nothing but a gray tank top and black panties.

Turning off the light, she crawled into bed beside me, causing the mattress to dip beside me as I rolled onto my back.

“I’m still mad at you,” I whispered, and she slid her hand over my stomach and cuddled against my side, pulling her body tight against me.

“I know, Ellie. I’m sorry I fucked up.” Her thumb brushed back and forth over the exposed flesh below my shirt causing goose bumps to spread under her touch.

Sighing loudly, I let my hand rest on hers to stop her from distracting me. “I know.”

After a few minutes the silence between us began to eat away at me. I hated holding grudges against Cara. She was my one true friend, and I knew she was battling something internally.

“Is it weird that I’m a virgin?” I whispered as I let out a small giggle, my high still going strong.

“Kind of. Is it weird that I’m not?” I couldn’t see her face, but I could hear the smile in her voice.

“Kind of,” I replied as her fingers tickled my ribs, causing me to jump.

“It’s not that big a deal. I mean, once it’s over, you realize it really isn’t as exciting as everyone says.”

“Really? Tristan is so…”

“What?”

I shrugged, even though we were shrouded in darkness. “You know. Aggressive and masculine.”

“Oh really? I guess he is. It’s just…I dunno. It’s just kind of…boring.”

We both laughed, and I had to hold my hand over my mouth to keep myself quiet.

“It’s true. I have more fun on my own.”

“Oh my God, are you talking about…” I let my voice trail off, too embarrassed to even say the words.

The bed shifted as Cara pushed herself up on her elbow and I could feel her warm breath fan over my face. “Holy shit, El. Please tell me you’ve at least done
that
.”

I bit down on my lower lip and squeezed my eyes closed.

“El, are you serious?”

“Yes, Cara,” I snapped, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You know, I can tell when you’re lying, even when I can’t see your face.”

I laughed, but when Cara was silent, my giggle died in my throat. Her face was closer now, our breath mingling as my body hummed with anticipation. With all of my doubts earlier, I knew exactly what I wanted right now, and I wanted Cara more than anything.

“Maybe I have,” I whispered.

“What do you think about when you touch yourself, El?” She spoke so quietly that I was certain she could hear my heart as it began to hammer inside of my chest.

“What do
you
think about?”

“You,” she whispered against my lips. Her fingers slid over my cheek as she inhaled before her mouth moved against mine. I tangled my fingers in her hair as my tongue dragged against her lower lip. She sighed as her mouth opened, her tongue eagerly moving against mine. Our pants sounded deafeningly loud in the quiet space.

Rolling onto her back, she pulled me on top of her, her hands sliding down my back and over my ass as she pulled me closer. I rocked my hips, gasping into her mouth at the feel of her body against mine. She dragged her hands higher, pushing my shirt up my body, until her thumb slid over my nipple, which hardened under her touch.

I pressed against her touch as our kiss deepened, wanting more but not certain what it was I wanted her to do. I couldn’t get enough of her. I needed her everywhere.

She slipped her fingers lower between us, tracing the exposed skin at the top of my panties, her mouth pulling back from mine, waiting for approval. I nodded, pulling her lips back to mine as her hand dipped below the fabric. Her fingertips roamed between my thighs, and I pushed against her touch, not able to get enough of her.

I moaned into Cara’s mouth as I slid her shirt up her stomach and over her chest, palming her breast as she had done to mine, making her whimper into my mouth. It was the sexiest sound I’d ever heard, and I wanted to make her do it over and over again.

Her hand left my panties just long enough to shove them down my hips, and I slid off her to kick them down my legs as she pulled her tank top over her head and her fingers looped into her own underwear.

“Wait,” I put my hand on hers, and she froze. Her face looked panicked, as if I was suddenly deciding I no longer wanted her. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Pulling my tank top over my head, her gaze fell to my exposed breasts as my hair cascaded down over my shoulders. I pulled my lip between my teeth and grabbed her underwear, slowly exposing her silky flesh. She let out a heavy sigh as she lifted her feet so I could free them from the fabric. My eyes danced over her beautiful body, and I still couldn’t believe that someone as incredible as Cara wanted
me.

I leaned back over her and pressed my lips to hers as her fingers tangled in my hair, rolling herself on top of me with one of her thighs between mine.

Feeling her bare skin against mine was almost too much to handle. Shivers rocked my body as her hips rolled against mine, her small breasts pressed against my chest.

“Does that feel good?”

“Yes.” I moaned, lost in her touch.

Her mouth traveled down, pressing against my neck. I felt her tongue slide over my skin, and my body bucked, craving more. She continued the trail of kisses down my shoulder and across my clavicle as she slid lower.

Pulling my nipple in between her lips, her tongue flicked over its hardened peak. Her fingers slid down between my legs as she pressed against my clit, sending a shockwave of pleasure through me. I turned my head to the side, pressing my cheek against the cool pillow, my eyes falling closed as I enjoyed the moment.

“You’re so beautiful,” she whispered against my skin, her breath against my stomach causing me to shiver as she climbed between my parted thighs. I glanced down at Cara as her emerald eyes locked onto mine through her thick lashes, her lips pressed to my skin just below my belly button.

My body was on fire as I watched her lips travel over my mound, fluttering kisses and dragging her tongue over me. As her mouth finally made it between my thighs a shiver rocked through my body; goose bumps erupted all over my flesh. I reached down between my legs and ran my fingers through her hair as her tongue ran over where I needed her most.

“Cara,” I whimpered as she pushed my legs farther apart.

“I won’t hurt you,” she assured me as her tongue ran over me again, pressing her finger inside of me. I arched my back, desperate to be as close to her as possible. Her finger moved in and out of my body at a lazy pace as she continued to torment me with her mouth.

“That feels so good.” I panted as she slid a second finger inside of me. “I’m going to come.” I could feel my cheeks heat. Even with what we were doing, I was embarrassed by my words.

“I want us to come together.”

Cara crawled up between my thighs, a seductive smile on her lips before she lowered her body against mine. As soon as our lips touched it was like a fire ignited in my veins. I could taste my excitement on her lips, and I wanted to taste hers as well. I tangled my fingers in her hair, desperate to deepen our kiss. Her right thigh slid over my left, and she rocked against me, causing her damp flesh to slide over mine. I moaned into her mouth as I pressed back against her, and my free hand slipped between us to palm her breast. Pressure began to build deep in my belly. Our panting grew louder as I took my hand from her chest and grabbed her ass, pulling her harder against me.