Bully Me (Bully Me #1) (8 page)

"Swiped it from my parents," Kelsey responded. "They have a huge bar filled with alcohol and have maybe one cocktail a week. They'll never miss it."

"So where are we drinking?" Kaine asked. Kelsey pulled out of the driveway and headed to Lucy's house. "Isn't Lucy still in Florida?" Kaine asked.

Kelsey pulled into Lucy's driveway. "Yeah, but her mom said we could use the pool whenever we wanted while they were away."

"I don't have my bathing suit," Kaine said.

"Who cares? It's just the two of us. We'll skinny dip."

Kaine was about to protest, then shrugged. "That actually sounds fun. Let's go."

Even though they had permission to use the pool, Kaine felt like she was trespassing. They tiptoed around the back of the house, giggling. "Here," Kelsey said, handing the bottle to Kaine. "You can have the first shot."

Kaine opened the bottle and took a big swig, almost choking on the awful taste. "Jesus Christ, that burns," she gasped, handing the bottle back to Kelsey, who took a long drink without so much as a grimace. Clearly she was a better drinker than Kaine.

Kaine took another drink and sat back in the lounge chair. After a few minutes she started to feel buzzed. "Are you ready?" She asked Kelsey.

Kelsey jumped up and ripped her clothes off, jumping into the pool. Kaine laughed and did the same.

There was something extremely liberating about being completely naked in the pool. Kaine swam to the side and took another drink. "Are we really trying out for cheerleading?" She asked. Kelsey giggled. "Hell no. Those cheerleader girls are bitches. Lucy doesn't know yet, but I'd rather slit my own wrists than spend time with Jenna or Gina."

Kaine breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God. I don't have an ounce of grace or coordination. I'd never make it anyway. I hope Lucy still tries out though. I can see how badly she wants it."

They swam in silence for a few minutes more, enjoying the beautiful summer night.

"So, Mark, huh?" Kelsey asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, that was awkward. But I don't think I'll go out with him."

"Why not?" Kelsey asked. "He's kind of cute."

Kaine debated whether or not to tell her what Shane had said. The alcohol had pretty much taken away her filter.

"Shane said that he just wanted to have sex with me."

"Oh. Well I guess that's a good reason," Kelsey laughed. "Are you a virgin?"

The alcohol had seemingly taken away her filter too.

"Yes," Kaine admitted. "But I'm not, like, holding on to my virginity or anything. I've just never done it. In fact, my first date ever was with Cam last night. But I also don't want to do it with someone who just wants me for that, you know? I need to at least like the guy."

Kelsey nodded. "Makes sense. I've only been with Greg. But we've been together for so long that I'd never really had a chance to date anyone else. I love him, but sometimes I wish I didn't feel so tied down."

"I'd love to be tied down," Kaine said wistfully. Kelsey giggled.

"Not like that, pervert," Kaine laughed.

The girls took another drink. "Can I tell you something?" Kaine asked. Kelsey nodded.

"I think...I think Shane is cute sometimes."

Kelsey burst out laughing, and after a minute Kaine started giggling, until they were both laughing hysterically.

"Oh God," Kelsey gasped, holding her sides. "I don't know why that was hilarious, but it was. So what are you saying? You like Shane?"

Kaine shook her head. "No! I mean, how can I like him after everything he's done to me? But then he walks by me, smirking at me with his shirt off, and I have the craziest urge to jump him. Am I crazy? I'm crazy."

Kelsey thought for a minute. "Well then you don't really like him. But your body does. You can't help the way your body responds to certain things."

"I know Kels, but I feel horrible for even thinking those things. Like by wanting him I'm letting him win. If that makes sense."

Kelsey shrugged. "My advice? Just go with it. I mean, you're going to be living with him for the next year. And after that, you're going to see him every summer and at every family event. Imagine the sexual tension you're going to have to deal with. You're young, hot and unattached. What do you have to lose?"

"My pride, I suppose. But whatever. I'm far too drunk for this philosophical conversation."

Kelsey laughed and they swam for awhile in a comfortable silence.

Camden watched as Kaine pulled off her clothes and jumped in the pool with Kelsey, trying to ignore the raging hard on he got when he looked at her. He hadn't known that they would be swimming naked, but was happy with the view. Kaine was even more stunning naked than she was clothed. The gentle curves of her body were perfect.

He had only followed Kelsey out of curiosity, to see if her and Kaine were really hanging out or if Kelsey was going to drop her off somewhere with another guy. Once he saw that they were swimming, he figured he could listen for awhile and see if Kaine said anything about him. He was disappointed when she didn't, but happy that she was still a virgin. Until she confessed her feelings for Shane.

It took every ounce of self control not to yell out in frustration. How could she like that piece of shit? Maybe she was one of those girls that liked assholes. He had tried to be a nice guy, but clearly she wasn't into that. Maybe he would act like a dick and see if she responded to that.

His thoughts were interrupted when Kelsey and Kaine climbed out of the pool and toweled off, hastily and drunkenly putting their clothes back on, giggling. He rolled his eyes. He wasn't opposed to drinking, but they both had clearly had too much.

"Are you staying here?" Kaine asked as Kelsey flopped onto a lounge chair.

"Yeah. Sleeping it off," Kelsey mumbled.

"I think I'll walk," Kaine said. Camden sighed, wondering how she thought she was going to walk home when she could barely stand up.

Kelsey mumbled a goodbye as Kaine stumbled through the gate.

Camden quickly ran to his car and started it, giving Kaine a few minutes to get a head start.

He slowly drove, spotting her walking carefully but awkwardly down the road. He pulled up next to her. "Kaine?"

She looked over and smiled at him, melting his heart. "Camden!" She yelled.

"Kaine, be quiet. It's after 12. What are you doing?"

"Goin' home," she slurred.

"Well, get in. You're too drunk to walk."

She waved him off, but crawled into his car anyway, giggling. He wondered if she would have gotten in if she hadn't been drunk.

"Where were you that you're so drunk?" He asked, pretending he didn't know.

"Kelsey and I went skinny dipping at Lucy's house." She leaned over and put her head on his shoulder. "I'm sleepy."

His heart skipped a beat at the contact. What was it about this girl that had him so captivated?

"Sounds fun," he mumbled, pulling into her driveway. He wished he could spend more time with her, but he would take what he would get.

"Do you need help getting inside?" He asked hopefully.

She shook her head. "I can do it. Thanks for the ride, Camden. You're such a nice guy." She jumped out of the car, slamming the door as he winced.

Nice guy? Fuck that. If Kaine wanted an asshole like Shane, he could play that game.

It took Kaine over a minute to find her house key, and another minute to successfully open the door. She burst in the house, falling on her face and giggling. The kitchen light turned on.

Oh, shit.

"What the hell are you doing?" Shane hissed at her. "Are you crazy? You're going to wake everyone up."

"Shane!" She cried, getting up and throwing herself into his arms. "I had drinks."

"Yeah, I can see that. If your dad catches you like this, he'll kill you. How did you get home, anyway?"

"Camden," she mumbled.

"You were with Camden? I thought you were out with Kelsey."

"I was. I walked home. Camden drove by and picked me up."

"Yeah? He just happened to be driving by you as you were walking home?"

She nodded.

He sighed. "Alright, come on," he said, scooping her up. "And be quiet."

She giggled as he carried her up the stairs and to her room. Thankfully, she had forgotten to lock her door from the outside and he was able to get her in bed.

"I'm going to get you some water," he said. "And something to throw up in."

He quietly made his way downstairs as Kaine sat up and pulled off her dress, throwing it across the room. Shane came back with two bottles of water and a pot. She giggled at the thought of throwing up in a pot. His eyes widened when he saw her. "What are you doing?" He asked, staring at her matching bra and panties.

"Going to bed," she said, looking up at him through her thick lashes. He swallowed and looked away.

"Can you stay with me for a few minutes?" She asked. He reluctantly nodded and sat down in her desk chair.

"Over here," she said, getting up and pulling at his hand. "I'm freezing, see?" She put his hand on her waist.

"Jesus, what were you doing?" He asked, leading her to the bed. "Get under the covers. I'll lay with you. Just until you warm up, ok? But you have to put something else on."

Kaine stumbled to her dresser and pulled out a short nightie, pulling it over her head. Shane rolled his eyes. "That's not quite what I meant, Kaine."

She ignored him and crawled back into bed, pulling him with her. He laid behind her, putting his arm around her and pulling her against him. He tried to ignore the fact that her ass was pressed up against his crotch and rubbed her arm, trying to warm her up.

"Mmm, that feels good," she moaned.

He shifted away to try to hide his erection.

Kaine's face in the moonlight was beautiful. He looked down at her, her long lashes and full lips and wondered what it would feel like to kiss her.

As if reading his thoughts, Kaine rolled over and pressed her lips to his.

Shane rolled back. "Kaine, stop it. You're drunk."

She rolled on top of him, straddling him. "I want you," she said softly, leaning down to kiss him again. This time he let her. She grabbed his hands and put them on her ass, sitting up and running her hands down his chest. She shifted, her heat rubbing on him. He groaned and flipped her over, kissing her. He kissed down her chest, careful not to touch her breast. He wasn't sure if they were there yet. Kaine gently grabbed his hand, placing it on her breast. He squeezed it gently, running his hand down her waist and back up to her breasts. He groaned, pushing himself off of her.

"Kaine, we can't do this. You're drunk."

"But I want you," she whispered.

God dammit.

He got up and crouched next to the bed, brushing her hair out of her face. "Tell you what. If you want me when you're sober, you can have me. But I can't take advantage of you when you're like this. Ok?"

Kaine sighed. "Fine. Goodnight, Shane."

"Night, Kainie," he said softly, quietly slipping out of her room. He wondered if she would remember any of this in the morning. He hoped she did. He flopped in bed, trying to sleep but unable to get Kaine out of his mind.

12

Kaine woke up early the next morning with a massive headache. "Fuck," she muttered. She reached for her water and was surprised to see two aspirin sitting on her night table. Thank god, she thought, taking the aspirin and choking down the entire bottle of water. She fell back asleep and woke up a few hours later, feeling a little better. She still had a small headache, but she felt pretty good, considering how much she had drank last night. "Shit," she mumbled, grabbing her phone and texting Kelsey.

Make it home ok last night?

Thankfully, Kelsey texted her back almost immediately.

Had Greg pick me up. Just picked my car up. Worst hangover ever.

Kaine chuckled and laid back in bed, reluctant to get up. She tried to remember what had happened last night. It came back to get in bits and pieces. Drinking with Kelsey, skinny dipping, Camden taking her home, Shane helping her to bed...

She gasped sitting up. Oh shit.

She was relieved to feel that nothing felt out of place or sore. She was definitely still a virgin. She vaguely remember kissing Shane, and him rejecting her. Her face burned with humiliation. What was she thinking? Hopefully he would just chalk it up to her being drunk and forget about it.

She threw on her bathrobe and took a shower, brushing her teeth. She felt a lot better once she didn't have makeup smeared all over her face anymore and went downstairs for something to eat. She glanced around the kitchen, happy to see that she was alone. She made a large pot of coffee and sat down, working on the crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

"Morning, sleeping beauty," Shane said, grinning at her. She glanced up sheepishly, looking in his eyes for a sign of anger or disgust. He looked sincere, so she smiled back. "Sorry for last night. I was pretty fucked up."

He laughed. "Yeah, you were. It's cool. Did you get sick?"

She shook her head. "No, thank god. But I'm done drinking for the next lifetime. Where is everyone?"

"Mom and Tom took Logan to get fitted for his tux. Jay's at work."

Kaine smiled at the thought of Logan in a tuxedo. "I can't wait to see him. I bet he looks adorable."

"Of course he'll be adorable. He's an Ellery. It's in our genes."

She smiled, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Want some?" She asked.

"No thanks. Can we talk about last night?"

Kaine was dreading this conversation. "Look Shane, I'm really sorry for losing control like that. I was just really drunk, and I didn't know what I was doing."

He watched her for a minute, silent. "Ok then. But just so you know, I meant what I said."

"What did you say?" She asked, confused.

He smiled and shook his head. "It's not important. Do you feel up to working in the yard?"

She nodded and finished her coffee, following him outside.

"Just so you know, if Camden shows up today, I'm kicking his ass out of here," Shane said.