White is for Virgins (40 page)

She winced. “I didn’t mean it like that, Fox.”

“No, you did. But it’s ok,” I told her. It was true.
That’s why she doesn’t give a shit about me. She’s made her point of view clear, and I keep thinking it’ll change.

“I called you because I can’t take it in my house,” she whispered, staring into her cup. I was surprised I could hear her over the music and the people.

“What do you mean?”

“My parents fight all the
freakin’ time. I’m so sick of it, sick of their voices. It’s like I don’t matter anymore,” she shrugged. “All that they care about is talking more shit about the other.” She sounded like she had given up and accepted the circumstances and environment she lived in. I knew that tone all too well; I’d mastered it.

“That sucks,” I blurted. “I mean, I’ve been through that.”

“Yeah?” She locked her eyes with mine.

“My parents fought constantly – whenever my dad found the time to be home,” I told her, tracing the rim of the cup with my finger. “And it was like that for a really long time until–”

“Until what?” she prodded.

I didn’t want to tell her the rest.

“Fox, what happened?”

“My mom filed for divorce,” I told her, instantly regretting it. She looked heartbroken.

“Oh.” Her voice was shaky; her eyes watery.

Shit, I said the wrong thing.

“Honestly, I thought it was horrible,” I said soothingly putting my arm around her. “I
even
cried,” I smirked. That got her attention. “But don’t tell anyone that. After they got a divorce, I realized they were way happier. And it was great, not having them yell at each other every day and have nothing by horrible things to say.”

She looked up at me. If I lowered my head, we’d be doing the same thing we’d been doing on Christmas – minus the excuse of being under the mistletoe.

“Do you think it’s possible to marry someone, and stay in love with them for the rest of your life?” she murmured.

“Sometimes, I doubt it,” I said truthfully, “But everyone’s different.”

And there she went, staring at me like that again and thinking things I wish I knew. It was really hard holding back.
Kiss her, or stop thinking about it.

Just as I had made my decision, opposing the latter and leaning towards the former, she averted her gaze and got up from the couch.

Smart girl.

***

.EMERY POV.

So close! The way he was looking at me I could’ve sworn he was about to… ugh! This boy was driving me crazy.

Maybe I’m just overemotional and need a drink. I could go for a little something to spike me up.

I wandered into the kitchen and found an unopened little bottle of vodka.
With Sprite?
I questioned, but popped it open and poured it in anyway.

I looked around making sure nobody was giving me odd looks before turning around and heading back for the couch. Only Fox wasn’t there.

“Where’d you go?” he asked, returning and sitting down beside me.

“Refill,” I muttered, taking a big gulp and trying not to squint.

“Oh yeah? I can smell it from here,” he said, shaking his head. “What did you do?”

I stood up and walked over to the fireplace. He followed.

“You know what I did,” I said, trying to play it off as I drank some more of the seemingly burning liquid.

His glare burned holes into my skin as I looked around the room. There were actually guys noticing me. I blushed and looked back at Fox, who caught and held my gaze. He studied me for what seemed like hours. It could’ve been the new year, or the year after that. I didn’t know, and I didn’t pay attention.

“Say something,” I finally dared to say.

“Why are you doing this? You seemed so against it,” he stated with narrow eyes. They searched mine, those lie detectors.

“I’m not driving home tonight,” I shrugged, “I’m sick of my parents and the same boring schedule I call life, and I hate going home every day so while I’m here I figure, why not live it up?”

I chugged the rest of the cup down and Fox took the cup from me.
Too late,
I thought,
it’s empty.

He took a step closer, and my heart dropped. I literally could’ve sworn I felt it fall, clinking against my ribs on its way down.

“You don’t have to do this, it won’t make anything better. If anything you’ll hate yourself for it tomorrow.”

“Well, I figure I can afford another regret or two,” I smirked, not knowing myself what I was referring to as I noticed the room was getting a little hazy.
40%  alcohol really takes a toll on a little blonde chick, lemme tell you.

“What do you regret, Emery?” he asked, very interested.

Not kissing you when I’ve have billions of opportunities; being too scared to just completely fall like I want to so badly. I’m sure there’s more, but nothing’s really coming to mind.

“I don’t
wanna talk about regrets, Fox,” I said, laughing it off. “It’s a party, so let’s party.”

“
Em, this isn’t you. I’m not gonna bring you home drunk, believe it or not I’m not that type of guy anymore,” he stated firmly. “I’m not gonna let you get yourself shitfaced.”

“I told my parents I was sleeping over Lily’s. If anything they won’t even be home. Please, let’s just party. I’ll drink a little, dance a little,” I pleaded. “Before I have to go back to my life.”

His eyes said no. But his hand, running through his white-blonde hair, was considering my request. He never gave me a straight “no” or “okay”, but before I knew it I was pulling him to the dance floor.

I enjoyed the buzz, smiling with Fox and letting him twirl me. We switched partners and danced with a few random people. Thankfully I didn’t get too fondled.

The countdown began, and I got another cup from this chick, Jezebel. It seemed just as potent as the vodka, but it had a fruity taste. I liked this one way more.

I remember how hot and sweaty the room got from all the dancing, and how warm my cheeks got. I remember Fox suggesting we leave several times before he finally just grabbed my arm and helped me to the car. I remember feeling far more dizzy as the cold air hit my skin and the cold leather seats grazed my thighs when I settled in.

I remember my mouth opening, and words coming out before I had a chance to think them through.

.FOX POV.

She was wasted. Not too bad that she was vomiting and mumbling incoherently, but the laughs were there and the random statements were noticeable. I placed her heels by her hoodie in the backseat, having confiscated them when she’d become too wobbly in the knees.

“Oh my God,” she beamed, leaning back, “I can’t believe I’m spending the first day of the new year with Fox Evans.”

“Yeah, me either,” I muttered.

“Do you how many girls hate me right now? And think we’re having wild sex in some random parking lot right now?” she giggled. “And I don’t blame them. Like, you look really
r
eally
good right now, so I can see why they’d think we were, like, gonna do it or something. I guess I look okay, too.”

I smirked at that one.
I should stop her before she says too much, but part of me is interested in what she’ll say.

“Do I look okay?” she asked suddenly, pulling at her shirt. My eyes went wide as I glanced at the road instead of down her blouse.

“Yeah, Em,” I said, clearing my throat. “You look good.”

“
Mmm,” she shrugged. “It’s probably ‘cause my new pushup bra, it makes my boobs look
perfect.
Legit, like they just pop up and stuff. They’re like
hello, I’m Emery’s long lost chest-”

I cut her off before I started laughing too hard.

“Emery, is this your first time being drunk?” I asked.

“
Pffft, no,” she drawled, waving her hand.

“I think it is,” I smirked.

“Yeah, well, maybe it is,” she giggled. “But there’s a first time for everything.”

“I guess so.”

“So many firsts recently,” she laughed, smiling as she turned over and looked at me. “First kiss on Christmas Eve, first drink on New Year’s Eve… I’m running out of firsts.”

First kiss?

“First hangover, coming up,” I murmured as her eyes started to close.

“I still needa have sex, too,” she sighed, smiling slightly, “and sneak into an R-rated movie.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or to remain serious.

She was fast asleep by the time I pulled up to her house, which was pitch-black. I didn’t even know where she kept her key, or if she’d be okay by herself.

So I drove past her house.

Chapter 25

“
Mmmmm,” I sighed, stretching my whole body the length of my bed. Surprisingly, my legs didn’t dangle off the edge, but I disregarded that fact. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. That same old boring off-whi– black?
My ceiling’s
definitely
not black…

I closed my eyes and turned to my side, curling into a ball. Reopening them, I was even more puzzled then before.
There’s
carpet
on the floor
. Snow white, fluffy-looking carpet… and the walls were black! I gaped in horror as something on the nightstand caught my eye. A picture – there were a dozen teenage drunks holding beers, and each other, and making funny faces. Among them was
Fox
.

Fox...

Fox!

Oh
shi–

I turned around abruptly to my other side. There he was in the flesh. He was shirtless and his hair was sticking out on all ends.
Sweet Jesus
. Any girl would’ve taken advantage of her position and taken in the amazing creature laying mere inches away from her.
I
, on the other hand, screamed.

That smirk on his face remained though. His fascinated eyes seemed to widen just a bit, but he didn’t move a single, oh-so delicious muscle.

How long had he been watching me?

A thought occurred to me, and I sat up instantly. I had never been one for sit-ups, so it was guaranteed that my abdomen would be feeling the wrath of my abrupt movement later on.

My eyes quickly scanned my body, making sure I wasn’t shirtless myself. My sweater seemed to be missing, but other than that I was covered. Relief swept over me, and I sighed with a smile.

“Morning, sketch,” he took it upon himself to say. His voice is even sexier in the morning.
It’s official, I’m a goner.

“
Mhm,” I murmured awkwardly. I rubbed my temples, squeezing my eyes shut as a hammer pounded in my head.

“Here’s breakfast,” he smirked, motioning to the table where a glass of water and aspirin had been waiting.

I groaned and took the pills.

We stared at each other for the longest time. But every silence had its interruption. And so I was a little less than shocked when his door burst open and a petite, pear-shaped woman waltzed in.

The look on her face said it all. She clearly hadn’t expected guests.

“Good morning, Mr. Fox,” she said in a formal tone. I couldn’t place that odd hint of an accent; even though profiling was wrong, I couldn’t help but peg her for the maid.

“Good morning, Sasha,” he sighed.

“Good morning, Mr. Fox’s lady friend,” she said curtly.

I nodded, running my hand through my hair.

I wasn’t supposed to be embarrassed, or guilty for that matter, at all. Guilt was for people who’d gotten caught doing something, and Fox and I hadn’t done anything.

Had we…?

“Breakfast ready soon,” Sasha stated, marching out.

“Um, Fox..” I started cautiously as soon as the door closed. His eyes flashed to mine once again. “Did we uh… d-did we – did you and I…” I struggled.

“No we did not have sex,” he told me bluntly.

I nodded. Phew.

I got off his comfortable king-sized bed and stretched some more. That is, until his hot breath was on my neck.

“I want us to be sober for that,” he murmured with a slight, barely detectable smirk; taking a leisurely step around me and walking towards his dresser.