I’ve just walked into my apartment when my phone rings so I quickly shut and lock the door.
Knowing that it will most likely be Ryder, I drop everything in my hands to the floor so I can grab my phone out of my pocket.
Seeing his name flash across the screen brings a smile to my face. “Why hello there my sexy lumberjack.”
“Really? You’re still on about the lumberjack thing?”
“Yes really!” I exclaim. “If you didn’t keep me so busy then I already would have gone to the store to buy you one.”
“Not that I want a flannel shirt but have you forgotten about online shopping?”
Now that question is just plain stupid, I’m practically the queen of online shopping. “I’m getting an axe too so I doubt those can be sent in the mail.”
“Liv,” he starts and I can picture his exacerbated look. “I’m not chopping down some random tree in the woods for you.”
“But why not?” I whine. “It would be super sexy.”
Ryder thought I was joking when I told him about my fantasy and went along with the idea until I started researching areas of bush where he could chop a tree down without getting in trouble.
After that, he quickly changed his tune. “Because…just no, okay?”
“I would do something extra sexy for you too.” I’m determined to get him to changed his mind.
“You’re already sexy enough Liv.”
“Well that’s boring.” Even though it’s nice that he says stuff like that to me, I would rather he have kinky fantasies of his own.
He laughs out loud, “Surprise me then.”
“Okay, I’ll think of something really good then I’ll lick your dick like a lollipop until you agree to chop down a tree for me.” Dressing up as a nurse or a maid is a bit overdone even though they would both be good ideas.
Maybe I could go the baseball route seeing as the Red Sox jersey worked so well the first time.
Seeing as I’m going to buy an axe, I might as well buy a baseball bat at the same time.
“Fuck, I’m going to end up doing it, aren’t I?”
“Yep,” I reply confidently.
By the time I’m done with him, he’s going to be wrapped around my little finger.
“Great, now you’ve given me a semi and there’s still a few things I need to do before I come over. Do you want me to pick up something for dinner on the way?”
Shit.
I obviously forgot to tell Ryder that I already have plans tonight.
“Ummm,” I say awkwardly.
Ryder and I have been exclusive for a few weeks now and things have been going so great that he basically spends every single night at my apartment.
It’s beyond amazing and I love having him around but I feel bad when I have other plans now.
We have become one of those couples that do everything together.
He’s crashed a few girls’ nights with Greer and Sophie but they haven’t minded as they have both fallen in love with him too.
Not that I’ve fallen in love with him.
At least, I don’t think I have.
It’s far too soon to be tossing that word around.
“What do you mean um? If you’re busy that’s fine Liv, it’s no big deal.”
“You’re right,” I say quickly, I’m being stupid. “I’m meeting Bentley at the library tonight.”
I’m met with complete silence.
Pulling my phone away from my ear, I check to see if the call dropped out but it looks fine.
Just as I’m about to ask if he’s still there, I hear him say, “Bentley?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with Bentley? You met him the other week outside Joe’s.” Does he seriously not remember meeting him?
We had a whole conversation.
“I remember,” he says darkly.
“Then what’s the problem? He’s my study buddy and a good one.” I have already explained all of this to him.
“Yeah and he has a total hard on for you.”
“Ohhh,” I say in a teasing voice. “Is someone jealous?”
Ryder growls out, “I’m not joking Liv, the dude has it bad for you.”
“No he doesn’t.” Except I think he may be right.
Bentley may not have it bad for me but I think he still likes me a little bit more than a friend.
Normally I wouldn’t continue studying with someone like that as I wouldn’t want to lead him on but Bentley and I work well together and he knows that I’m seeing someone.
It’s not like I’m going to hook up with him in the library or something.
I’m completely committed to Ryder.
He’s the only guy that I want and there’s no need to be jealous.
Although, it is pretty sexy.
“Yes, he does…fuck, fine, I’m jealous.”
“Naww, how cute.”
“Cute?” he asks with fake outrage in his tone. “Don’t make me come over there and spank you.”
Fuck, I love it when he spanks it. “Now you’re getting me all hot and bothered before I have to go to the library.”
“Funny,” he says in a stern voice.
“I’m joking Ryder.” Well, sort of. “You have nothing to worry about, it’s just for an assignment.”
I hear him take a deep breath, “I know, I trust you.”
“Good, I trust you too.” Weirdly, I trust him completely.
“That’s good because the boys have been pestering me to get a beer so I think I might take them up on their offer tonight.”
Damn, I would have loved to meet some of his friends. “Where are you going to go?”
“Don’t know, maybe Dan Jeffrey’s.”
“Are you trying to make me jealous?”
“Maybe…is it working?”
“Yes.” Damn him but I’m completely fucking jealous. “Don’t let any other bitch hit on you, or even talk to you.”
His laughter echoes down the phone, “Got it. Ignore all females.”
“Good boy,” I say jokingly.
“Tomorrow night then?” he asks hopefully.
With a silly smile on my face, I gush, “I’m all yours.”
“You better be.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow Ryder.”
“See you Liv.”
Is it weird that I want to ditch Bentley to hang out with Ryder?
If it wasn’t for this stupid assignment then I’m ashamed to admit that I would have considered it.
Figuring a night off from Ryder will be good for me, I grab my things and head over to the library.
Bentley is already there when I arrive and after a quick greeting, we get stuck right in.
Professor Northcott has given us a character study assignment so Bentley and I have chosen the same novel but different characters so we can help each other analyze our chosen characters.
It’s not too difficult of an assignment and I’ve been enjoying it but it takes great care when reading a text which means we have to put a lot of effort in.
We’ve been at it for hours already but I don’t feel like giving up for the night just yet.
Ryder has text me a few times but I’ve only sent one short message saying that I was making good progress and that I hoped he was keeping all the bitches away from him.
Bentley looks up at me when my stomach growls for about the fourth time in the last hour. “Are you ready to call it a night yet?”
“Not really, what about you?” As much as I would love to leave and ask Ryder to come over, I need to keep working on this assignment.
“I’d like to keep going too but we both need to eat.”
Very true. “Why don’t we head over to The Roadhouse? That way we can work and eat at the same time.”
Bentley seems surprised by my answer, “Yeah? Are you sure your boyfriend won’t mind?”
“Nah, he’ll be fine,” I lie.
I’m sure he will be a little jealous that we ended up at The Roadhouse when I said we were only going to the library but it’s not a date and I am starving.
Bentley beams, “Great, I could do with some pie.”
“Mmm, me too.” My mouth is already watering over the thought of having some pie.
My waist line doesn’t need it but I figure with all the sex I’m having that it won’t take long to burn off the extra calories.
We pack up our things and walk over to The Roadhouse. As soon as we take a seat in one of the booths, we both place our orders.
Once the waitress leaves Bentley suggests, “How about a break while we eat then we can get back into it.”
“Sounds good, my brains a little fried.” Plus I’d like to text Ryder and I feel bad using my phone while we are working.
Bentley relaxes back in the booth and I do the same. “So what are your plans for winter break?”
“My family and a few other families that we are close to fly to Aspen every year for a ski trip.” It only occurred to me just now that Maddy won’t be there this year.
We normally share a room every year, in fact, we have shared a room on every family holiday we have ever been on so this will definitely be different.
I tried to convince her to come back as I miss her like crazy but Blake offered to take her skiing in Switzerland and not even I can argue with that.
She kindly asked if I wanted to go with them and as much as I wouldn’t mind being the third wheel, there is no way Dad would agree to pay for it.
His eyebrows shoot up, “Wow, that’s pretty nice. Are you away for the whole break?”
“No, it’s only for a week but after that amount of time with my family I’ve normally had enough, if you know what I mean.” Apart from needing a break from all the chaos, my thighs can only handle so much skiing.
I normally only going skiing once a year so the first few days are a shock to the system.
“Your family’s pretty full on then?”
Full on is one way of putting it. “Yeah, there are five families all together so it’s a lot of people all at once.”
“I’ll say, how long have you done that for?”
“As long as I can remember really.”
“And your friend Maddy, is she coming back from Italy for it?”
I wish, “No, Blake is taking her skiing in Switzerland of all places.”
He lets out a low whistle, “That’s impressive.”
“I know right, I’m super jealous.”
“Hey, Aspen is still pretty impressive.”
Aspen is no Switzerland but it’s better than nothing. “Yeah, I guess so. What about you? Are you going home for the holidays?”
He shakes his head, “No, I normally stay around Boston and hang out with some of my other friends who don’t go home.”
Now I feel like an asshole that I’m complaining about going skiing in Aspen and Bentley’s not even going home for Christmas.
Why do I keep putting my foot in it like that?
Luckily, our food is dropped off which saves me from any further embarrassment but conversation soon turns back to character analysis.
After dinner, we order a slice of pie then start working on our assignment again.
By the time Bentley walks me home it’s eleven o’clock and from the text I got earlier from Ryder, he’s already in bed.
Walking into my apartment feels lonely without Ryder here.
I’ve gotten so used to having him around that it’s weird to come home to an empty apartment.
I’ve suggested staying at his place a few times but with him living so far away, it makes sense that he stays here.
One weekend I should really make the effort to go to his place though.
We always seem to hang out at my apartment and with my friends but it would be nice to meet some of his friends.
Jumping into bed, I send a quick text to Ryder letting him know that I’m in bed and missing his body.
Using my pillow as a makeshift Ryder, I curl up into a ball and fall into a contented sleep.