Connected by the Tide (13 page)

20

Henry sat next to Ren in class the next day. It was nice to be back to normal. Even though Henry was annoyed that she
hadn’t spoken to him for a week, he was so happy to be back together that he didn’t really care. But he was distracted all over again. Her tanned legs poked out from her chair, and her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders. She was exceptionally beautiful, graceful.

When their classes were over, he grabbed her hand and walked with her to the cafeteria. “Why are you into me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you pick me? You are so beautiful that you could have whoever you wanted.”

Her eyes softened when she looked at him. “You are just as beautiful, Henry.”

“There’s no comparison.” They walked inside the cafeteria and got their foo
d. Henry paid for both of their meals. “Can we sit with my friends today?”

“You
r friends?”

“Nancy, Derek, Sydney
, and Coen.”

“I thought you weren’t seeing Sydney anymore?”

“Well, she and I got into a few fights, but we worked it out. I just want everything to be back to normal.”

She said nothing for a long time. “How are you supposed to get over her if you see her all the time?”

“It’s just for lunch. I don’t see her at any other time.” She averted her gaze, looking at the floor. “If you’re uncomfortable, I won’t go, but I’ve already changed so much since I started dating you. I don’t feel like I did before. I don’t think I’m even in love with her anymore.”

She met his gaze.
“Really?”

“Yeah.
I mean, I still have feelings for her, but it’s nothing like before. I don’t think being around her is going to make it more difficult for me.”

“Well, if you are sure.”

“Are you sure?”

“I won’t stop you from seeing your friends.”

“I want you to come with me.”

“Okay.”

He grabbed her hand and guided her to the table. When they placed their food on the table, Henry pulled out the chair for Ren and helped her sit down before he grabbed an extra chair and brought it next to her.

Sydney looked at Henry and smiled, pleased that he wasn’t ignoring her. Henry could even see the slight formation of tears in her eyes. After a moment of
staring, he looked away. Coen looked at Ren, his eyes mixed with emotions that Henry couldn’t read. They said nothing to one another, just staring.

Henry placed his arm around her shoulder then kissed her on the cheek. “Everyone, this is Ren.”

Sydney smiled at her. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

Ren smiled back. “It’s nice to meet you
, too.” She stared at Sydney for a long time, capturing every detail of her appearance, comparing it to her own features.

Sydney smiled. “Apparently, Henry talks about you all the time.”

Henry leaned to her ear. “And yes, I say only good things.”

Derek nodded his head in approval. “She’s
super-hot.”

Henry glared at him, but his look of loathing was nothing compared to Nancy’s. She elbowed him in the stomach, making him gasp.

“What?” Derek said. “I was just making an observation.”

Ren blushed, her cheeks turning red.

“I’m sorry about that,” Henry said.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“And this is Coen, Sydney’s fiancé,” Henry said.

Coen nodded but said nothing. She smiled slightly then looked away. Henry caught the odd exchange but didn’t comment on it.

Henry was more affectionate with Ren than he normally was. He ran his fingers through her hair then down her arm, letting her know that he was always paying attention to her. She didn’t touch her food, and Henry assumed she was nervous. Maybe she was threatened by Sydney. He rubbed his nose against hers. “You look beautiful today.”

“Thanks,” she whispered.

He kissed her gently, letting his lips linger on hers for a long time.

“Get a room,” Derek said.

Henry kissed her again just to be defiant. “I can kiss my girl anytime I want to.” When he pulled away, she was smiling, pleased by the title. She picked up her fork and started to eat her salad. Henry knew he made her feel better by his affection and attention.

“So, got any girlfriends?” Derek asked.

Nancy glared at him again but said nothing. Sydney looked at Nancy sympathetically but didn’t say anything. Coen glanced at Ren every few minutes, trying to be discreet about it. Perhaps Henry had been out of the loop for a while, but he knew there was a lot of table drama occurring. Apparently, his and Sydney’s delicate relationship wasn’t the most pressing issue.

“A few,” Ren said.

Nancy looked out the window, trying to hide the hurt on her face. Her lips quivered slightly, and she tightened her arms over her chest. Henry knew her well enough to read the subtle signs. There was obviously more to her feelings for Derek than a mere physical attraction.

“But they are all taken,” Henry said quickly.

Ren looked at him, her eyebrow raised.

“Dang.
The hot ones are always taken,” Derek said.

Nancy see
med to be even more hurt by that comment.

“You got plans tonight?” Henry asked.

“Me?” Derek asked.

“I’m looking at you, aren’t I?”

“No. Why?”

“Let’
s get some tacos tonight.”

“Just you and I?” he asked suspiciously. “Why don’t we just hit the gym so we don’t look like fags?”

“You’re right,” Henry said. “Nancy, come with us.”

“Okay,” she said quietly.

“Too bad you guys have to register for a marriage license,” Henry said as he looked at Sydney.

She understood his meaning.
“Yeah. Too bad.”

“Didn’t we already do that?” Coen asked.

“No,” she said quickly. “That was for something else.”

He rubbed his chin. “Baby, that was—”

She grabbed his face and kissed him, shutting him up.

“Cool,” Henry said. “It’s just the four of us.”

Derek picked up his pizza and took a bite, completely unaware of the hurt on Nancy’s face. Henry rolled his eyes. Guys could be totally clueless.

“You aren’t eating your food,” Ren said.

“I would rather eat you.”

She blushed again.

“So, how long has this been going on?” Derek asked.

Henry shrugged. “Like a month.”

“Getting serious?”

“We are getting there,” Henry said as he kissed her on the forehead. Every time he touched her, she seemed to relax more and more.

Mitch walked over and nodded to Derek then looked at Henry, seeing his arm over Ren’s shoulder. “So you aren’t gay, after all?”

Henry glared at him. “I guess not.”

“Or did you have to pay her to be your girlfriend?”

“What’s wrong with being gay? If I were, I wouldn’t be ashamed.”

Mitch didn’t have a response to that.

Ren leaned in and kissed his neck. “He’s definitely not gay.”

Mitch watched her, surprise on his face. “I haven’t seen her at the house.”

“We never make it into the house,” Ren said quickly.

“If you are done picking on Henry, could you leave now?” Coen said.

“I’m not picking on him,”
Mitch said quickly.

Coen glared at him. “It seems like it.”

Derek turned around. “I’m gay. Do you have something to say to me?”

“You are?” Mitch asked.

“Yeah,” Derek said. “What’s the big deal?”

“Uh, nothing.”
He stared at Derek for a long time, eyeing his face and his shoulders before he walked away.

Henry was relieved that was over. He was a little embarrassed that he had to defend his sexuality in front of Ren. But when he remembered all the dirty things they did, he knew there was no question what his orientation was.

“Your roommate is an ass,” Ren said.

“He’s just—different.”

“I don’t like him.”

“Neither do
I,” Coen said. “You should move out, Henry. You shouldn’t have to deal with that. It’s one thing to tease you in private, but to call you out in the middle of the cafeteria is totally inappropriate.”

“You’re right,” Henry said. “I’ll start looking.”

Derek crossed his arms over his chest. “Tom is moving out in a few months. The room is yours if you want it.”

“Where’s he going?” Henry asked.

“He’s moving in his with his girlfriend.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“But just to warn you—we are pigs.”

“It can’t be worse than where I’m living now.”

Derek looked at Sydney. “You were lucky you got to live alone as long as you did.”

“It was nice,” she said with a smile.

Coen looked at her. “But now she has to deal with my video games, my laundry, and the man smell.”

“I like it,” she said.

“Good. Because I like the woman smell.”

“Every guy loves the smell of pussy,” Derek said.

Henry hadn’t gone down on Ren yet, and when he thought about it, his cock became hard in his jeans and started to twitch. He hated doing it with other girls, but he wouldn’t mind doing that with Ren. He wanted to know how she tasted.

“I was referring to the smell of her cooking,” Coen said.

“I can’t wait to get a wife,” Derek said. “A home-cooked meal every night. Sounds awesome.”

“Then stop sleeping around,” Nancy snapped.

“How am I supposed to find my wife if I don’t sleep around?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re disgusting.”

“What? What did I do?”

She grabbed her bag then walked away. Derek turned around and watched her go.

“I don’t get women,” he said as he started to eat again.

Everyone stared at him, surprised that he didn’t understand Nancy’s feelings.

Henry looked at the time. “You ready to go?” he asked Ren.

“Yeah.”

He stood up and helped her out of her chair. “We’ll see you guys later.”

“
’Bye,” they said.

“I’ll see you tonight,” Henry said as he looked at Derek.

He had his mouth full. “Yeah.”

Henry took Ren’s hand then wal
ked her from the cafeteria to her next class. “I’m sorry about my friends.”

“They were fine.”

“It’s not normally awkward like that.”

“It seems like there’s a lot of closet drama.”

“Yeah.”

“But I liked them.”

“You did?”

She nodded.

“Even Sydney?”

“If you love her so much, there must be a reason.”

“I think you two could be really good friends—in time.”

“Maybe.”

“Well, have fun in your history class.”

She stared into his eyes, her lips
slightly open. He felt his hard-on return as he looked at her. Even though people were passing them in the hallway, he didn’t care. He leaned in and kissed her, pressing her against the wall. He never showed affection in public, and he thought when other couples did it was inappropriate and gross, but he couldn’t help it. Her lips looked too tasty not to kiss. When he pulled away, he kissed her on the nose.

“Come over,” she whispered.

“I’ll be there when my classes are over.”

“Okay.” She kissed him again. “Can I take your lips with me?”

He pulled her hips toward him, pressing his erection against her stomach. “You should take him too. He has a mind of his own.”

She licked her lips.
“Maybe.”

His spine shivered when she did that.

“Don’t rub one out until I see you.”

“I like it better when you do it anyway.”

She turned around then headed toward the door. He stared at her ass before she walked inside. When she glanced over her shoulder and looked at him, she knew exactly what he was doing—staring at her ass.

21

As soon as they were over the doorstep, Henry pulled off her shirt then ripped her bra off. He kissed her neck as he guided her to the bedroom, licking and sucking her skin. She unbuttoned his jeans as they moved, pulling them loose from his waist. By the time they reached the bedroom, they were both naked.

He pushed her on the bed then pulled her hips over the edge, kneeling before her. He looked at her pussy before he lightly pressed his lips against her clitoris, making her howl like a dog in heat. It felt warm and wet, like she had been aroused for the past hour.  He started off slowly, even though she was already to the edge of her threshold. When his tongue slipped inside her, she gripped his hair, digging her nails into his scalp She was panting for him, legs shaking.

When he licked her clitoris in a circular motion, she gripp
ed his forearms, thrusting her hips slightly. He had become accustomed to her movements and habits. By the sound of her breathing and the intensity of her grip, he knew she was going to come. He wanted to drag it out as long as he could, but she wasn’t having it. She desperately wanted to explode, so he just gave it to her. Using his finger to rub her clit, and his tongue to move inside her, he brought her to the edge and then over the cliff, moaning the entire way. Her hands gripped him tighter as her body shook, releasing herself and her pent-up sexual energy.

“Thank you,” she said through her heavy breathing.

He stood up then leaned over her. “Been horny all day?”

“I’m always horny when I’m around you.”

He grabbed her hand and placed it over his elongated shaft. “That makes two of us.”

She rolled on top of them then pressed her face between his legs.

He bit his lip when he felt her mouth surround him, taking him all the way in the back of her throat. She moaned as she felt him. Knowing she enjoyed it made him love it even more. He never lasted long when he got head. It was his favorite thing to do besides sex. When she pulled up and licked the tip, he moaned. She inserted him back in her mouth then used her hand to rub his base. He watched her as she took him into her mouth, and it made him shake. Watching her suck his cock was the best porn he had ever seen. She jerked him hard as she increased her pace, giving him the greatest stimulation he’d ever felt. He dug his fingers into her hair, thrusting inside her. His logical thought was completely gone as he waited for body to explode. She opened her mouth wider as he moved inside her. He was almost there. The bottom of his cock slid across the grooves of her tongue, giving him the last push he needed. He came inside her throat, squirting everywhere. He gasped, his moans coming out as cries as he completed his final thrust.

He lay down, staring at the ceiling as he caught his breath. When he didn’t think he could come any harder, he did. She always made him reach new heights, new realms of pleasure.

She wiped her mouth then crawled up his chest, straddling his hips. “Any suggestions?” she asked with a smile.

Unable to speak, he just raised his hand, giving her a
thumbs-up.

She
lay on top of his chest, her face close to his. Her fingers ran through his hair, feeling the smooth strands. He liked having her so close to him. She was as light as a feather. His fingers glided through her strands, feeling the silk in his hands.

“You are really good at that,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“Best I’ve ever gotten.”

“I’m glad I could please you.”

“You’ve done it a lot?”

“I suppose. Not with many guys, just one.”

“Dane?”

She nodded. “He liked getting head more than having sex.”

“The more I hear about this guy, the worse he sounds.”

She said nothing.

“He sounds like a total ass.”

“You won’t hear any arguments from me.”

“Why
did you love him so much?”

She shrugged. “I can’t explain it. I guess I always hoped he would change for me, be the man I wanted him to be. I know he can be different and selfless, but he’ll only be that way for the right person. That person wasn’t me.”

“You were the right person. He’ll realize it eventually.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Do you believe in karma?”

“Why?”

“I do. That asshole will get what’s coming to him.”

“Maybe.
But I hope it doesn’t. I want him to be happy even if it isn’t with me.”

He smiled. “We are a lot alike.”

“We both fall in love with the wrong people.”

“I think we got it right this time.”

Her eyes softened when she looked at him. “I think so, too.”

He kissed her on the forehead, which made her sigh
the way it always did. “We should get ready.”

“Why are we doing this?”

“Nancy needs help getting Derek to pull his head out of his ass.”

“Is there something going on between them?”

“They slept together. Clearly, it meant something to Nancy. Derek is too stupid to realize that. I don’t think he would have slept with her unless he thought it didn’t mean anything to her, or because he did feel something for her. I just want to get them together.”

“You’re a matchmaker now?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, let’s do this. I’ll help.”

“Good. Women are better at this sort of thing.”

They both got dressed and met at the front door. She wore a pink beach dress that complemented her skin tone. A gold bracelet hung on her wrist
, and she wore matching gold earrings. Her hair was in ringlets. She was dressed casually, but she looked exceptional.

“You look—yeah.”

“Yeah?”

“I mean, you look very pretty.”

She smiled. “You look yeah, too.”

“Thank you,” he said with a laugh.

Her eyes fell, and Henry saw the emotion pool in her eyes. He didn’t understand where the sudden mood swing had come from. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said as she turned away to grab her purse.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his head against hers. He couldn’t see her face, and he stayed behind her so she would feel calm. He kissed her shoulder. “Tell me,” he whispered.

Finally, she turned around and looked at him. “I’ve never been with a guy who’s treated me so well. You—you make me feel beautiful, like you really care about me.”

His eyes softened. “Because I do, Ren.”

Her eyes became teary
, but she blinked them back.

He kissed her gently on the lips. “You are perfect in every way. I’m treating you the way you deserve to be treated.”

“It means a lot to me.”

He held her in his arms and stood still for a long time, letting her overcome the emotion in her heart. He suspected more things had happened to her than just Dane. He knew he treated her right, but he knew he could do a better job. When Sydney was out of his heart for good, he would treat her even
better, bring tears to her eyes from joy.

“I’m sorry,” she said as she pulled away. “I didn’t mean to get all emotional.”

He pulled her back to his arms and kissed her on the head. “Don’t ever apologize for that.”

She sighed, melting in his arms. “Okay.”

“Now, let’s get some tacos.”

“Okay.”

He opened the door and they left the house, getting into his car on the street. He opened the door for her like he always did then got into the driver’s seat.

“Did you fix the dent?” she asked.

“Coen’s friends fixed it for me.”

She nodded. “Are they mechanics?”

“No. They work on the body of the car. They popped the dent out. When Sydney’s car was vandalized, they restored it and made it look brand-new.”

“Her car was vandalized?”

“Yeah. Coen had a psycho ex. It’s a long story.”

“Audrey?”

He looked at her. “You know her?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“You’re friends with her?”

“
Sorta.”

“
Sorta?”

“She’s my cousin.”

Henry hated Audrey with every fiber of his being. Sydney forgave her for being psychotic, but he wasn’t so forgiving. When Audrey poured syrup on Sydney’s hair, Henry considered punching her in the face. That was how mad he was. “Oh.”

“Is that a problem?”

He looked straight ahead. “No.”

“I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t even know about it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

“Are you still mad?”

He grabbed her hand. “No. You aren’t guilty by association.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Audrey can be a lot to handle
, but she isn’t as evil as she seems.”

“This conversation is over.”

She stared at him for a moment before she looked away.

Henry parked
then turned off the engine. Nancy’s car was already there. “Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything, Henry.”

“Did something happen between you and Coen? You were both acting weird today.”

She glided her fingers through her hair as she stared out the window. “I’ll tell you if you promise not to tell Sydney.”

Henry felt his heart accelerate. “I can’t promise you that. If it’s something she needs to know, I’ll tell her.”

She sighed. “Then I shouldn’t say anything.”

“You will tell me,” he snapped.

She looked at him, fear on her face.

“I need to know.”

“Why?”

“You’re my girlfriend, and he’s marrying her. That’s a valid reason.”

“Coen and I dated—fooled around—before he got with Audrey.”

Henry leaned back against his seat. “What kind of relationship was this?”

“Mainly a physical one.”

“But you said you were dating?”

“I thought we were. He just wanted to get laid.”

“But you did it more than once?”

“Yeah.
For a few months, actually. Then he got with Audrey without saying a word to me. It hurt. I’m not going to lie.”

Henry breathed through the anger.

“Don’t tell Sydney.”

“Why?” he said through a clenched jaw.

“I don’t want it to be awkward between me and her. And I don’t want to lose you because of it.”

“How would you lose me?”

“If Sydney can’t stand to be around me, how would this relationship work?”

He shook his head. “Sydney has no right to tell me who I should be with. I don’t care what she thinks.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “I still don’t think you should tell her.”

He
ran his fingers over his chin as he tried to digest his anger.

“Why are you so mad, Henry?”

“Is that a serious question?”

“You have no right to be angry or judgmental. I had no idea who you were at the time.”

“That isn’t why I’m mad.”

“Then why?”

“I’m fucking pissed that Coen treated you like that.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Oh.”

“If it just happened once, then I wouldn’t be so angry, but it sounded like you were in a relationship. He used you over and over. That isn’t right.”

“He seems like a different man with Sydney
, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I know he is. That isn’t the point. This has nothing to do with Sydney. This has to do with you. He had no right to treat you like that.”

“It was my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with him. He never said we were anything special, but when he kept calling and talking to me, I thought we were headed somewhere. I should have asked for clarification.”

“No.” He turned in his seat and glared at her. “No. Don’t put the blame on yourself. He knew exactly what he was doing. Believe me.
That fucker.”

“It’s in the past, Henry.”

He punched the steering wheel. “I see the aftermath of what happened to you. I see the pain and hurt in your eyes. You don’t know what it’s like to be loved and respected by someone who actually cares about you. Guys are fucking pigs, and it disgusts me. You’re right. You shouldn’t have let them walk all over you, but they shouldn’t have taken advantage of you, either. It’s unacceptable. I hate seeing you in pain, Ren. When I kiss you on the forehead, you act like I proposed to you. You don’t know what it’s like to be treated right. It kills me.” He breathed through his anger. “And I almost did the same thing to you. I’m so glad I didn’t. Don’t let their behavior ruin your self-esteem. Just because you weren’t the right one for them doesn’t mean you aren’t the right one for someone else.”