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Chapter 92: Cole
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2023-04-04 14:08:50
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STay Chapter 1: Cassidy
##Chapter 1: CassidyBook One: StayWith a shake of my head, I watch as my roommate, Brooklyn, busts out all her best moves on the makeshift dance floor. She's the tall blonde dancing with her hands twisting in the air, almost as if she's doing a very sad Stevie Nicks impersonation.I almost wince.Yeah...it's that bad.If I had to guess, I'd say that she isn't feeling the slightest bit of pain. I'm sure the liquid refreshment currently on tap is to be thanked for that. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a completely different story. She deserves the hangover-to-end-all-hangovers for dragging me to this god-awful excuse to drink beer, get rowdy, and troll for a hookup or two.My plan for the remainder of this evening consists of staying inconspicuously tucked away in the back corner and sipping my tepid diet soda, because being a girl and walking around a drunken fraternity party is apparently an unofficial invitation to have your ass groped by a random dude. Or should I say random dudes, b
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 2: Cassidy
##Chapter 2: CassidyBook One: Stay I don't know what's going on with me, but I can't stop staring. And when I say staring, I mean full-on checking him out. It's embarrassing. Although honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anyone as beautiful as the guy standing before me.Okay, so maybe beautiful is the wrong word. I don't think guys really like being referred to as beautiful, but there isn't another word to adequately describe him.He's completely beautiful.It's tempting to stand here and stare at him for the rest of the night.But I won't because, in my limited experience, beautiful guys are-more often than not-egotistical douchebags. Even though I'm only nineteen, I've already had my fill of those.So thanks, but no thanks.That being said, my fingers almost itch to slide their way through all that messy chocolate-colored hair. And don't even get me started on those golden-brown eyes of his. Yup, totally dreamy.Er...if I were a dreamy sort of girl, that is.Which, trust me, I'm
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 3: Cassidy
##Chapter 3: CassidyBook One: StayNot to be thrown off course, he persists. "So just tell me what he did to deserve it." He looks genuinely interested. But still...I narrow my eyes because this little back and forth is exactly what I didn't want to get sucked into.Hmm...ignoring him didn't work.And bitchiness hasn't deterred him either.Maybe if I just give him the answers he's after, he'll get bored and wander off in search of easier prey.Huffing out an aggravated breath, I mumble, "He grabbed my ass."Those golden eyes darken as the corners of his mouth sink into a deep frown. "I'm sorry he did that to you. I think Alex is pretty wasted."I scowl. "Being drunk isn't an excuse for sexually harassing me. What he did was wrong." I stab a finger in Alex's direction. "That dude got what he deserved. Actually, he's lucky I didn't knock his front teeth out."Eyes flaring, he holds up both hands. "I never claimed it was an acceptable justification for touching you." He looks upset that
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 4: Cassidy
##Chapter 4: CassidyBook One: StayA low groan rumbles its way from deep within the mountain of pillows and blankets."I don't feel good," the voice croaks. "I think I have the flu."I snort with about as much derision as I can muster. "What you technically have is called the twenty-four-hour booze flu," I singsong gleefully before yanking open the thick, ugly blue curtains covering our dorm room window and allowing bright sunlight to filter in.It's impossible to summon one ounce of pity for someone who knowingly inflicts this kind of pain onto themselves.Brooklyn whimpers before attempting to burrow further into the abyss of blankets and pillows piled high on her dorm-issued twin bed."Come on, up and at 'em, sunshine. You've got class in forty." I pretend to wince as I add with false pity, "Oh, and don't you have Calculus this bright and fine Friday morning with Professor Ling? Yeah...that's going to suck for you.""No," she moans. "No class. Can't go. Not today. Too sick. Head p
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 5: Cassidy
##Chapter 5: CassidyBook One: Stay"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," I mutter, feeling off kilter.One of his dark brows lifts at my disgruntled greeting. "Let me guess," he says, "now you think I'm stalking you."My eyes widen before narrowing in consideration.Hmmm. I suppose that's a possibility."Are you?"He snorts before shaking his head. He shifts his weight, looking as if he might be settling in for a long conversation. "I don't even know your name, remember? You wouldn't give it to me last night.""It's a good thing I didn't, because apparently, there's an excellent chance you might be stalking me," I quip while trying to think of a hasty exit strategy.He runs his tongue across the front of his teeth.I feel the effect of it straight down to my traitorous core.Somehow, this guy has triggered more responses within me in the past twelve hours than any other guy has in the previous nine months. "I'm not saying this to sound like a conceited jack-""But that's exactly what yo
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 6: Cassidy
##Chapter 6: CassidyBook One: Stay"Did you really think you could ditch me that easily?" His whispered words send a shiver skating down my spine as something hot unfurls in the pit of my belly.Or possibly lower.Crap."It was more of a hope on my part," I reply lightly, searching for an empty seat in the already crowded room.One empty seat is all I need.Bingo.As I scan the lecture hall, I find a girl with long blonde hair waving erratically at Cole. Just in case he doesn't notice her wild gesturing, I point out the frantic female. These girls are seriously ridiculous. Not to mention, desperate. But hey, I can totally help a sister out. Especially when it benefits me in return."You seem to have a fan over there who'd very much enjoy the pleasure of your company."He flicks a casual wave in her direction as I start down the thinly carpeted steps. I like sitting front and center in all my classes. It feels as if the students buried in the back of the lecture halls are too busy talk
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 7: Cassidy
##Chapter 7: CassidyBook One: Stay"Cassidy, your four o'clock is here."With my nose buried deep in a calculus book, I murmur, "Great Lisa, send him back."Lisa, our sort-of-receptionist, hovers in the doorway for a few moments until I'm forced to glance up and meet her wide gaze.Only then does she mouth, "He's soooo hot." As if to add emphasis, she rolls her eyes.I roll mine in response before shaking my head. Also for emphasis. Lisa thinks most guys are soooo hot. I'll admit, sometimes she's right. And sometimes she's wrong.Very, very wrong.But I suppose beauty is in the beer goggles of the beholder...or something like that. Not that Lisa usually drinks on the job. Although, sometimes I seriously have to wonder.I plaster a smile across my lips and wait for my next appointment, interested to see how far off base she is today. A few seconds later, the smile falls off my face as Cole strolls into the room. As soon as he sees me, he stops, obviously just as surprised as I am. But
Last Updated : 2023-04-04STay Chapter 8: Cassidy
##Chapter 8: CassidyBook One: StayA heartbeat ticks by before he reaches out, his larger hand covering mine.My attention drops to our clasped fingers. Normally, I don't like being touched. When he'd grabbed my arm at the party, everything in me had seized up. But his hand lying gently over mine doesn't trigger a response. Actually, that's a lie. It does do something to me...something I'm unwilling to acknowledge. "You don't know me." And I don't want him to know me either. Not the real me. Not the one who made such a mess out of her life last year.I hold my breath and wait for the familiar knives of panic to slice me up inside.It's a surprise when they don't.He squeezes my hand, and my gaze bounces up to his. "Is it so difficult to believe that what I already know makes me want to find out more?"I gulp, breaking eye contact before carefully slipping my hand from his. "I don't date."That's non-negotiable. There are rules I've set in place for myself this year. And from what I'v
Last Updated : 2023-04-04
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STay Chapter 92: Cole
##Chapter 92: ColeBook Two: Don't LeaveFour years later..."Hurry it up, babe," I call from the living room of our high-rise apartment in downtown Chicago. "Or we'll be late."I just got home from a team practice with the Blackhawks, and now we're heading out to meet up with friends for dinner. Austin and Brooklyn are in town for the weekend. And so is Luke and his new girlfriend. It might have taken time for the two of us to iron out our friendship, but it happened.Eventually."I'm coming."A low whistle escapes from me as she walks out of the bedroom wearing a little black dress that clings to her every curve. Even after spending a couple of hours on the ice, my dick stiffens right up.Damn, but my fiancée is hot."Is it possible to cancel our plans for the evening?" There's a beat of silence. "Because I'd much rather stay here and strip you out of that gorgeous dress. It would look perfect draped over the chair in the corner of our room."Color stains her cheeks as she do
STay Chapter 91: Cassidy
##Chapter 91: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveTwo hours later, we finally leave his room to scrounge up some food.After making love three times, I'm famished. I'm so hungry that my belly is rumbling and growling in protest.Once in the kitchen, Cole fills two bowls with cereal before saturating the flakes in milk."Eat up," he says with a wink before shoveling a spoonful into his mouth. After he swallows it down, he adds, "You're going to need all your energy."A giggle slips free as I spoon Frosted Flakes into my mouth. As we finish our bowls, his phone chimes with an incoming message. He picks up the slim device and glances at the screen.His gaze flicks to mine. "It's my mom. She's going to drop off some laundry I left at the house over the weekend."My heart stutters as my eyes widen.Dr. Thompson, who also happens to be Cole's mother.My teeth sink into my lower lip as an internal debate gets waged in my brain.Do I tell him that his mother was my psychologist?Or do I bury i
STay Chapter 90: Cassidy
##Chapter 90: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveOnce we're inside his room, he twists the lock and pounces, catching me around the middle and pressing me to him. When his hands settle on my ass, he hoists me up so that my legs can wrap around his waist. A growl rumbles up from his chest as I grind myself against him.His lips crash onto mine, and there is nothing gentle about how this kiss unfolds. "Too much clothing," I gasp."Agreed."His hands leave my bottom as I drop to the floor. My palms stroke over the solid planes of his chest before my fingers grip the hem of his T-shirt and I whip it over his head, tossing it over my shoulder. In the blink of an eye, my shirt also disappears. He removes my bra as I work the button and fly of his jeans. Even though his erection is still covered by his boxers, it springs forward. My thighs clench as I stroke my fingers over the hot length.I've missed this so much.Impatiently, he pushes the thick denim material down his hips and thighs b
STay Chapter 89: Cassidy
##Chapter 89: CassidyBook Two: Don't Leave"Pass it to me!"I wind up and hit the puck to Cole who flies across the ice. The rubber disk lands right on the end of his stick as he races with it to the goal and flicks it into the net. We've been here for about thirty minutes, and it feels just like it used to. I love spending time with Cole on the ice, and over the last month, I've missed it.Missed him.As difficult as it was talking with Luke yesterday, I'm so glad I cleared the air. Even if nothing changes with Cole, I know that remaining friends with Luke is what's best for both of us.After I thought about it, I decided that maybe Cole was right, and I was allowing what happened last year skew my feelings for Luke. I didn't want to believe that was a possibility, but when I tried to separate my emotions for him, I wasn't able to do it.They were too deeply intertwined."Water break?"I nod as we skate to our water bottles on the bench. After removing our gloves, we toss them
STay Chapter 88: Cassidy
##Chapter 88: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveA smile lights up Luke's face as he pulls me into the warm circle of his arms. "I have about thirty minutes before I need to be at practice. What's up?"For a heartbeat I allow him to hold me before untangling myself from his embrace. "Do you mind if we grab a coffee and talk?""Sure."After we order our drinks, Luke hands the barista a few bills before I can grab the money from my purse."I've got it," I say, quickly digging through my wallet. "I'm the one who invited you for coffee. I should pay.""You can get the next one." When he winks at me, the barista sighs. "Don't worry, I'll hold you to it."A few minutes later, he grabs our coffees from the counter, and we head to a table nestled in the corner. Once settled, we both take a few sips from our mugs. The weather has only grown colder, and it feels good to warm up."How are classes going?" he asks. "All caught up?"Luke understands how stressful my breakup was with Cole becaus
STay Chapter 87: Cassidy
##Chapter 87: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveI've spent most of today camped out at the library, with the exception of two classes. Now that Christmas break is right around the corner, it seems like almost every course has a paper due. My books are spread out all over the table as I tap away on my laptop.Every time I begin to feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. Once it no longer feels like my heart is being squeezed in a vise grip, I look over the list I've compiled to prioritize all my assignments.It's taken a lot of hard work to get my grades up to where they were before Thanksgiving break. I refuse to blow it now that we're in the homestretch. After my breakup with Cole, I'd let some of my classwork slide. Thankfully, Brooklyn was there to slap some sense into me, and I've been able to bounce back.Getting through that experience was tough, but it made me realize that life will always have its ups and downs. What's important is that you push through t
STay Chapter 86: Cole
##Chapter 86: ColeBook Two: Don't Leave"So, what's the deal between you two?" Austin asks. "You two aren't together, are you?"The suspicion in his voice is clear.My gaze flickers to his. "No, we're just friends." Sort of. I guess. Maybe. It's all a bit tentative right now. And weird. But it's much better than hating her guts.His brows furrow as we walk to class.I'm aware of how Austin feels about Jackie.And none of it is good.He might not know her personally, but he was there when shit hit the fan last fall. He's the one who encouraged me to get back out there again. Up until that point, I'd never been with anyone else but her. For a couple of months, I made up for lost time in that department before deciding that random hookups weren't for me.He gives me a bit of side-eye. "You sure about that?""Yup." I have zero desire to travel down that road again.When I say nothing more on the topic, his muscles gradually loosen. "Glad to hear it."To fight off the wicked
STay Chapter 85: Cassidy
##Chapter 85: CassidyBook Two: Don't Leave"I know exactly how long it's been." Even though I'd thought I was completely over her and what happened, I realize that it's still festering inside me like poison."I screwed up." Her eyes turn pleading. "And I hurt my best friend in the process."What sucks most is that Jackie had been my closest friend.I'd been ten years old when my dad died, and she's the one who sat up in the tree house with me for hours while I sobbed like a little girl. I still remember what it felt like to have her scrawny arms wrapped tightly around me, holding onto me for dear life as if I might float away if she didn't anchor me to the earth.I can picture her sitting on one of our lawn chairs while I slapped thousands of hockey pucks at the net in our driveway, attempting to channel all of my anger and rage toward something other than the drunk asshole who stole my father from me.In middle school, I made sure no one messed with her. Even though I wasn't a f
STay Chapter 84: Cole
##Chapter 84: ColeBook Two: Don't Leave"Someone's at the door, can you please answer it?" Mom yells from the kitchen where she's baking Christmas cookies.Already.That's not a complaint.It means I'll have more food to take back to school when I leave tomorrow afternoon. I pause, unable to rip my attention away from the big screen TV as the final seconds of the first quarter play out. The bell rings for a second time as the ball is being passed and-"Cole?" she shouts again.Except this time there's exasperation lacing her voice.And that's never good."I'm on it!"But not really.Fumble.Damn.With a shake of my head, I jog to the door and throw it wide open. Almost immediately, I wish I'd ignored it."Hi, Cole." The edges of her lips lift tentatively.When I remain silent, she shifts from one foot to the other before stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jacket."Hey," I force myself to say. If she thinks enough time has passed for me to forget about what happened betwee
