I respond with a moan and wrap my leg over his waist, straddling him. He places his hands on my ass, drawing me into him and I can feel how hard he is. I don’t want to tease him but I can’t yank myself away. It feels so good, so right. His hands travel up my stomach and I know where their destination is and I’m unable to stop them. Just as both of Brady’s hands cup my breasts and his thumbs rub against my peaked nipples, the door busts open and I fly off his lap, crossing my legs as though nothing is going on. Brady starts laughing and straightens out his pants, looking over at me.

“What’s up guys?” Trey asks, making his way in the room, followed by Dex and Rob.

“Nothing now,” Brady deadpans and brings me back onto his lap, caressing my hip bone back and forth with his thumb.

“Sorry to ruin your time with…” Rob leers my way, “Chanel.”

“Rob, you need to shut the fuck up.” Brady gently moves me off his lap to stand face to face with him, the tension in his shoulders so tight they could snap.

“Alright, alright. I’ll be good.” Rob backs away and moves into the glassed-off area, picking up his guitar.

“You staying to watch us rehearse, Sadie?” Trey asks and I notice he has a stud ring under his lip. It’s oddly appealing on him.

I look at Brady and he raises his eyebrows, questioning if I want to stay.

“Sure,” I agree.

Brady sits me down in the chair in front of the switchboards while he follows the guys into the room. They start testing their instruments, joking about something I didn’t catch. Then Brady’s voice fills the room and chills travel my body in excitement.

“This is for you, Sadie Miller.” He strums his guitar a couple times before starting the song. The song is familiar, but I can’t place it at first. Brady’s soft brown irises are on me, patiently waiting for me to recognize it. Then the chorus comes and I figure out he is playing “Oh Sherrie” by Steve Perry, but he changes it to “Oh Sadie”. I return his smile and Brady sings it, mimicking Steve Perry in the eighties video. He clutches his fist close to his heart and bends his knees close to the ground. My whole body melts with a warmth I have never felt. There goes a little more of my heart.

Chapter 11

I hate Mondays, but I especially hate this Monday. After spending the weekend with Brady the last thing I want to do is Algebra. I’m still too embarrassed to ask Brady for help so I resort to my usual victim in tutoring and head to the sixth floor of the library, praying I find Grant.

Luck must be on my side because when the elevator doors slide open, he is unpacking his backpack at one of the tables. He glances over to me and a smile comes across his lips, revealing his perfect white teeth.

“Hey, Sadie. It’s been awhile.” He takes a seat on the table, waiting for me to walk up to him.

“I know, I’ve been kind of busy,” I admit. It suddenly dawns on me that this could be awkward since I’m about to ask him to help me in math even though I turned him down when he had asked me out.

“With Brady I assume?” The dislike in his tone is unmistakable.

“Um…”

“That’s alright, it’s none of my business.” He gets off the table and moves to sit down in a chair.

“So, Grant. I need a favor?” I bite my lower lip and use my best puppy dog eyes.

“When is it?” He gives a look similar to a disapproving father.

“In two hours.” I lift my shoulders and smile coyly.

“Sit down.” He motions to the seat across from him.

An hour and a half later I think I finally have a grasp of the material so I stand up to say goodbye. “Thank you, Grant, you’re a lifesaver.” I start packing up my bag.

“No problem. I’ll walk you to class.” He stands up and flings his backpack over his shoulder. I can’t help but notice how much Grant resembles Theo and every other guy I have ever known. The crisp polo and dark jeans with brown loafers. I could probably take any frat boy’s face and insert it on Grant’s body.

We make our way down and out of the library. Grant doesn’t touch me or stand close. He doesn’t ask me about Brady or tell me to watch out with him like he did prior. I’m starting to think a friendship between us could be possible.

Halfway to the Math building, we pass Vodka Vince and I have never seen him awake before. He still looks disheveled and unkempt but alert nonetheless. Brady’s words of caution ring through my head. Grant grabs my elbow and leads me to the other side of the walkway so we don’t pass directly by him. I glance over and give Grant a dirty look but follow his lead.

“Heya, Grant,” Vodka Vince speaks low to him. I look over, confused.

“Hi,” Grant responds, giving him a small wave of his hand and continues walking.

“You know him?” I ask.

“Doesn’t everyone?” he questions in return.

“But he knew your name, Grant.”

“Sometimes I leave him things.” He shrugs his shoulders.

“That’s nice,” I admit. What a different perspective than Brady.

“I guess.” He doesn’t show a reaction, obviously assuming everyone else does it. “Here you go.” Grant stops at the bottom steps, suddenly ready to get rid of me.

“Thanks again. I owe you one,” I graciously thank him.

“Maybe next time, dinner?” he asks.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” The chills hit my body before he places his hand on the small of my back and leans in to kiss me on the cheek. “Hey, baby.” Brady tugs me closer to him.

“Hi, Brady.” I allow him to be a little possessive of me before stepping away.

“So, you two are…” Grant says, annoyed.

“Together? Yes,” Brady confirms, finishing his sentence. His smile is smug and big as he puts his hand on my hip, bringing me to him. This domineering behavior Brady portrays makes me upset and pleased at the same time.

Grant appears uncomfortable with the whole situation. He isn’t taking a defensive stance back at Brady, instead he keeps his distance. It’s odd behavior, almost sadness in Grant’s eyes as he quickly glances between the two of us.

“Well, good luck, Sadie. See you around,” Grant says quietly and puts his head down, walking down the path before I can thank him.

“I will have to keep a better eye on you. First Vodka Vince and then that douchebag.” Brady puts his arm around me and walks me into the building.

“Brady, what was all that about?” I question, clearly irritated.

“He’s a fucking frat boy. I don’t trust him.” He stops outside my door and I wonder how he knew I had a class, let alone the exact classroom.

“I think he’s nice and I consider him a friend. Do you think you could be nice?” He has me leaned against the wall, enveloping me with his arms above my head.

“Sadie, let’s get something straight. I’m not one of those domineering guys.” I smirk, looking up at him and he grins down to me. “Well…not until I met you. I know what guys like him want and what he imagines in his head and I don’t like it.” His mouth is so close to mine, I can feel the warmth of his breath against my lips.

“He’s just a friend,” I argue.

“Maybe to you, but to him you are a conquest and believe me, he won’t stop until he gets you.” He lightly kisses the side of my mouth.

“Brady, this is way too much drama before an exam.” I stay firmly against the wall and place my fingers under the waistband of his jeans, pulling him into me.

“Let me relax you,” he whispers and comes willingly. He keeps his arms above my head, moving his head down to my mouth. Usually any form of affection in front of a group of people embarrasses me. A year ago this incident would have had me ducking under Brady’s arm, running into the safety of my classroom. As he captures my upper lip between his, I find myself not caring who sees our display. He never lets his arms fall down, pinning me against the wall only with his lower body. I can barely keep my feet planted on the ground; they want to betray me and wrap around his taut stomach. I want him to grab my ass with both hands and carry me into some vacant room to have his way with me. But before my body deceives me, Brady pulls away.