AllFreeNovel
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On the walk home, I realised I was glad for the interruption. With everything going on in my life, I don’t think losing my virginity in a rebound relationship is the smartest move. If you could even call what was going on with me and Sarah a relationship. And Hannah. Shit… I couldn’t do that to her.
Between school, footy training, trying to figure out what I was going to do about Sarah and Hannah, and my recurring nightmares that still feature Hannah being upset with me (is that my subconscious telling me I’m making a mistake?)my ass is beat by the weekend.
Mum’s across the road at her friend Debbie’s having their usual Friday wine night. I’m sprawled on the couch, flicking through the channels waiting for the footy to start. It’s the pre-season competition and I’m hoping Geelong can beat Richmond - last year’s reigning premiers - after a dismal loss to them in the Grand Final. On the other hand, Richmond have also shown some interest in drafting me so I’m keen to see where I might fit into their line-up if I do end up there next year.If I can get my shit together.
I make a mental note to ask Macca to meet me at the club tomorrow. I’ve got some training to catch up on.
Macca and JD bailed on me to go to a Lakewood High party, but I’m not in the mood. Hannah’s cousin goes to Lakewood High so she’ll probably be there with Ashley, and we haven’t spoken since our argument about Sarah. Thinking of Sarah, I check my phone. I’d texted her a few times throughout the week to apologise for the way things ended with her parents. Nothing. Sighing, I throw my phone onto the coffee table next to me.Way to screw everything up, yet again.
There’s a knock on the front door, but I don’t budge from my position of comfort: lounging back with a bowl of potato chips resting on my stomach. My brother’s getting ready to go out with his mates and I’m not about to get up and be his door bitch.
“Jake,” I yell. “Door!”
Jake clears his throat behind me, and I narrow my eyes at the smirk on his face. I sit up straight catching sight of a flash of blonde hair as Sarah peeks out from behind him. Brushing crumbs off my ripped T-shirt and footy shorts onto the floor, I curse my choice of outfit for a night in front of the TV watching the footy.
“What are you doing here?” I choke out, regretting the words as soon as they leave my mouth. She bites her lip ducking her head as red tinges her cheeks. “I mean, uh, sorry, I wasn’t expecting you. You didn’t reply to my texts.”Shut up, shut up, shut up.I run my hand through my messy hair, trying to fix it while ignoring the shit-eating grin gracing my brothers face while I continue to make a fool of myself. I clear my throat, forcing a smile which probably resembles more of a grimace. “I’m glad you came.”
She hesitates before stepping into the room and perching on the edge of the couch where I’m sitting.
“Smooth dude,” Jake snorts, and I shoot him a look as he grabs his jacket, heading for the front door as the doorbell rings again. “Have fun kids.”
“Sorry.” I tug on my ripped t-shirt. “I wasn’t expecting company. When I didn’t hear from you, I assumed you’d be at the Lakewood High party with everyone else.”
Sarah shakes her head. “My step-mother took my phone.” She sighs.Step-mother?“They’re being assholes, so I snuck out the window and came over. Is it okay I’m here?” She glances back toward the front door. “I can leave…”
“No,” I answer a little too quickly.Be cool, loser.I swallow. “It’s fine. I was just going to watch the footy, but we can put a movie on?” I pat the couch next to me, but she perches on the edge.
“Well…” her smile is tentative. “I was coming to see if you wanted to come to a North Heights party with me. One of the guys from my cousin’s basketball team is throwing it. Nick said it would be cool if we went.”
A North Heights party? I’ve heard how crazy they can get. It’s definitely a different vibe to the Lakewood or St Christopher’s parties. A much rougher crowd. Hannah definitely won’t be there. Sarah’s watching my face as all this goes through my head.
She moves to sit next to me. “We don’t have to go. I was just sick of my step-mother trying to control my life and felt like letting loose for a little bit.”
I roll my shoulders, trying to loosen some of the tension. Letting loose tonight sounds good. “Yeah, sounds good. Do you want something to drink? I’m, uh, just going to get changed.”
Sarah shakes her head, so I hightail it to my room, grabbing a clean tee from my dresser and spraying some deodorant. When I turn around, I nearly jump out of my skin to see her standing in the doorway. She’s tied her hair back, a few blonde tendrils coming loose, framing her face. My heart pounds in my chest as she crosses the room and reaches up on her toes to press her lips against mine.
Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, I rub my thumb across her cheek and kiss the tip of her nose with a chuckle. “If we’re going to go anywhere tonight, you’re going to need to wait out there so I can change into some jeans.”
“Are you sure?” She pouts, running her hands up my top, resting them on my chest. Her eyes dart to my bed, and I swallow hard. She runs her tongue over her bottom lip, and I groan inwardly as I reach up to grab her hands.
“I’m sure.” I kiss her once more before leading her back to the living room.
“I can go…” she tugs on her hand, but I nod at the couch.
“Sit.” I say. “Just give me five minutes.”
“Okay.” She grins as she snakes her fingers into my hair, tugging my head to meet her lips. I pull her closer, deepening the kiss. She tastes sweet, like strawberries… just like Hannah’s shampoo.
As much as I enjoy making out with Sarah, when she reaches down to slide her hand into my shorts, Hannah’s face flashes before me and I grab her hand to stop her. Breathing heavily, I take a step back. Rubbing the back of my neck, I can’t bring myself to look at her. “I’m sorry. I’m, uh, we should… um, if we’re going to go to this party, I better get dressed.”
“Did I do something wrong?” She bites her bottom lip, gazing down at the couch.
“No,” I rush out. “No. Not at all. I… uh… Just give me a sec, okay?”
She nods and I retreat into my bedroom, grabbing a pair of jeans off my floor and shrugging into them. I duck into the bathroom for some aftershave. Standing at the sink, I let the water run, rubbing my hands over my face.What the hell is wrong with me? I have a hot as chick in my living room ready to sleep with me and I push her away.
Exhaling, I pull myself together and head back into the living room. I half expect Sarah to have left, but she’s still sitting on the couch where I left her, chewing on her bottom lip.
