Hypnotized Read online

  “Of course you swoop in here and make things right.” Mom rolled her eyes.

  “Did you not want a break?” I believe the last five messages from her had been just that, she needed time away from the demands of Nate.

  “What I need is a smoke.” She stormed out of the room.

  Patting Nate on the shoulder, I said, “Go pack your things. I’ll be right here waiting.”

  Nate hopped up and headed in the direction of his bedroom. It wasn’t that my mother was the worst mother. When she wanted to be, she was the best. She’d spoil us rotten, hug and kiss us, and almost deserve the Mom of The Year award, but then, out of nowhere, she’d turn into what she was today. Being a mom was the last thing she wanted, and she wasn’t afraid to let her child know it.

  I needed to ask her if she was taking her medication, but to be quite honest, I spent as little time with her as I could. The day I turned eighteen, I got the hell out of this place. That had been the best day of her life as well, I’d suspected, but then she got pregnant.

  “I’m ready.” Nate popped back in.

  “All right. Go tell Mom ‘bye.”

  I followed him through the cluttered house and to the back porch where she sat sipping coffee and smoking. Damn it, I wanted one, but I’d resist.

  “Thanks for taking him.” She smiled sweetly. She’d already done a one-eighty. Go figure. “I love you, little guy. I’m sorry for my temper.”

  Nate hugged her, but didn’t talk. He was always so quiet and it worried me a bit. Weren’t kids loud and energetic?

  “I’m gonna take the spare car and leave my bike here, okay?” But I sure as hell wouldn’t be leaving my keys behind.

  “Okay. Your dad’s taking care of the coffee shop anyway. I think I’ll take some time to relax.”

  I leaned down and hugged her. “I’ll bring him back tomorrow. I’ve got to help a friend move.”

  “Have fun.” She leaned back in the chair and puffed from her cigarette.

  Putting an arm around Nate, I led him back through the house and to the spare car. We’d have fun. Watch a movie, eat pizza. What other way would I want to spend my Friday night?

  * * *

  The next morning, Nate sat on my couch eating a bowl of cheerios and milk. I’d have to bring him home soon and could only hope Mom had enjoyed a quiet evening. Though to be honest, I debated calling my grandmother and seeing if she’d taken him. Granny had stepped in before and taken Nate, or myself for long periods.

  But first I wanted to see what the plans were with Paisley, and what time she might need my help. As I held the phone in my hands, my palms began to sweat. I couldn’t believe I was scared to call her. What was I, fifteen?

  I pressed her number and put the phone to my ear. A part of me wanted to hang up. One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Four rings. Voicemail.

  Was I relieved? Hell yes! I hung up without leaving a message. I hated voicemail, getting or leaving. But then the phone vibrated in my hand. It was her calling back. I took a deep breath. Be cool. “Hey, Pais.”

  “Sorry. My phone was across the room and my hands were full.” She sounded out of breath.

  “I was just calling to see when you needed me today.”

  “Oh, um.” She paused. “You know, Evan and his friends are helping once I get to town. So really, I’m not sure.”

  I slumped against the wall. “Oh.”

  “I do want you to come tonight, though.” Her voice sounded unsteady.

  I couldn’t wait to spend some time with her. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Good.” Excitement laced her tone. “Well, I need to get back to loading up the truck before Kristy goes on strike. Apparently, I have more than we thought.”

  “That’s how it usually happens. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “‘Bye.”

  I set the phone down. Damn Evan. I wanted to be the one there helping her. Yet that guy was. Sure he was supposedly just a childhood friend, but I wasn’t stupid or naïve. That guy had his hands holding onto Paisley tightly, as though she was only his. She didn’t see it; unfortunately for Evan, he was in the friend zone. I intended for him to stay there.

  Nate came around the corner with his empty bowl. “Where do I put this?”

  I pointed at the sink. “Want to go stay with Granny for a few days?”

  Nate’s eyes got wide as he nodded.

  “I’m gonna call her. Give me a few.”

  He wandered back to the living room. I could use a visit with Granny as well. She was always more of a mother than mine ever was.

  The party was well underway. Thankfully Kristy stuck to her word and kept it low key. There probably weren’t many more than twenty people here—which made my new place feel incredibly small.

  Evan had brought a keg, so alcohol was plentiful among my guests. I laughed as the song Red Solo Cup came to mind. Everyone held one in their hands.

  “Maybe I should hand everyone a box to put away.” I leaned against the wall and sipped my drink.

  “We’ll do it first thing tomorrow. Promise.” Kristy glanced around.

  Evan and Pete stood in the center of the living, chatting with two girls I’d never met before. Pete had yet to find his toy for the night. I hoped he didn’t find one. I didn’t want him getting nasty in my place.

  Evan must’ve sensed me looking at him. He excused himself and came my way.

  He tilted his head back and finished his drink. “We need more people here, or else people might start leaving soon. You sure no one can smoke in here?”

  I knew my eyes were wide. “Yes, Evan, I’m sure.”

  “It’s just, you’re kinda making a reputation for yourself as uptight.” He laid a hand on my shoulder, as though that was going to make what he’d just said any better.

  “I couldn’t care less what those two girls think of me. I don’t even know them.” I paused to glance around, amazed by how few people I did know. This was supposed to be friends of mine hanging out to celebrate my new place and saying goodbye to Kristy; instead, it was Pete’s gang. A new sense of courage emerged from inside me. “Aside from the folks Kristy invited, I don’t know any of the ones you did. This is a going away party for Kristy and a moving in party for me. I don’t even know the people you brought. You should’ve been more considerate.”

  Evan rubbed my shoulder, obviously trying to calm me, but it wasn’t working. “I’m just trying to help.”

  “I don’t recall asking for it. Next time, run it through me before you bring along those type of people.”

  “Jeez, chill.”

  I strode with heavy steps into the kitchen to dump out the water I had and fill my cup with beer. I was home. I could drink if I wanted. Obviously, in order to be a cool adult and not a prude, I needed to drink alcohol.

  As I came out of the kitchen and back to the crowd of people I’d never seen before, I heard Evan. “Why are you here?”

  I already knew who it was, and I wasn’t going to have him treat my guest that way. “Evan!”

  He spun to look at me, but my gaze was on Gabe. “Did you invite him?”

  Breaking my connection with Gabe, I turned to Evan, crossing my arms. “Yes. It’s my place, my party, and I invited him.”

  Pete approached us, his eyes on Gabe. “What’s up, Cherry Popper.”

  “What did you call me?” Gabe asked, cocking an eyebrow.

  I reached out and wrapped a hand around his wrist. “Come on.”

  Thankfully, he let me pull him away from Evan and Pete. However, Pete let his disapproval known loudly. “This party is lame. Let’s take it back to my place.”

  Several people nodded, setting their cups down. I stared at Evan, hurt by how he was treating me. He glanced back at me, and it almost seemed like he was torn on what to do. When his eyes saw my hand still holding on to Gabe, he shook his head and went out the door like half the other people. All that was left now were the ones Kristy had invited that we both knew.

  “Shit.
This didn’t go well.” Kristy came over. “Gabe, right?”

  “Yup.”

  “They really don’t like you.” She grinned before she continued, “I’m gonna miss seeing how this unfolds.”

  “Consider yourself lucky,” I said, hating the way things were turning out. Since graduation, my whole life had changed. I just needed to figure out if it was for the better.

  Gabe sighed. “I didn’t mean to cause problems with you and your friends. I can leave.”

  “No.” It came out much too quickly. “I invited you. I don’t like that Pete guy.” And honestly, everyone here could leave me alone with Gabe and I’d be happy.

  “I’m gonna go chat with the last few people that are here.” Kristy winked. “I give it twenty minutes and they’ll be out of here, too.”

  Now I really did feel like an uptight party pooper. “You don’t have to stick around.”

  She eyed Gabe then looked back at me. Obviously, she knew I wanted to be alone with him. She shrugged and said, “Yeah, guess we’ll follow Evan.”

  Gabe’s body tensed, but I smiled. He didn’t get that Kristy was doing this for me.

  “Can I get you a drink?” I asked, staring up into his eyes. “We’ve got this whole keg. Shame to see it go to waste.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll pass.”

  Well, I certainly didn’t want to be drinking alone. After setting my cup down, a few of my friends came over and said they were heading out. Kristy was next.

  “I’ll be back later. However, if you decide to have him stay the night, text me,” Kristy said close to my ear.

  Gabe spend the night…wow, I actually had that option. “Okay.”

  After a hug, she was gone, leaving us alone. And here I thought the party scared me. Being all alone with him frightened me more.

  Maybe I needed that drink.

  “Guess I can really clear out a room.” He grinned as his gaze swept the now empty and messy place.

  “To be honest, I’m exhausted after all the moving. I’d much rather sit on the couch with my feet up.”

  He took my hand, sending a wave of pleasure through me. “Let’s do it then.”

  Once we were seated on the couch, right next to each other, I asked, “Sure you don’t want a drink?”

  “I don’t drink.”

  “At the other party you had two bottles in your hand.”

  He smirked. “It’s for show.”

  “You know, you’re an odd one. You don’t drink and you dress so preppy. Yet you ride everywhere on a motorcycle, have ink, and work at a tattoo parlor.”

  Gabe gazed into my eyes. “That’s me.”

  I continued to stare back at him. We were alone in my place. I had no parents to interrupt us. It was just us and we could do whatever we wanted, and I wanted to kiss him. But making the first move was one thing that truly scared me.

  He brushed my hair back from my cheeks. “What are you thinking about, Pais? You look so serious.”

  “I, uh.” My heart rate picked up. I could do this. “I was thinking about kissing you.”

  He grinned an oh-so-sexy smile. “All you had to do was ask.”

  His hand wrapped around my neck as his finger tilted my face toward him. As if in slow motion, his lips began to come closer and closer to me. And then they touched mine. I swear I saw fireworks, as crazy as that sounds. The intensity of emotions running through my body as he kissed me was insane. I’d never experienced anything like this in my life.

  I wanted more.

  What else could he do to me?

  Slowly, I started to lean back, making it so he had to move on top of me a little more. Soon I was lying back against the cushion, and he was above me. The feel of his body on mine—yeah, I liked it. I’d made out with past boyfriends, but never really knew what to do with my hands. I’m sure by now he knew I was an innocent.

  Gabe pulled back and asked, “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” I was better than okay.

  “Want to keep kissing?”

  I giggled. “Do you?”

  “Fuck yeah. How about you tell me when to stop?”

  “Okay.” I began to wonder if he meant the kissing or more.

  His tongue slipped into my mouth and things heated up in my body. I was moist between my legs. Wiggling slightly, I tried to ease the ache. It’s been a long time since I made out with a guy, and I’d only been touched below the belt a few times.

  I rubbed my palms on his chest and around his shoulders. Finally touching him, I marveled at how awesome it was.

  His hand slid down my neck then lightly teased its way down my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps. My breath caught when his palm found my stomach. He was still on top of my shirt. Normally, this was the time I’d slow things down, but with him I wanted him to keep going.

  As though he could read my mind, he cupped one of my breasts over my shirt. I moaned, but then my cheeks burned. I’d never made a noise before.

  He broke the kiss and stared into my eyes, still rubbing my breasts. Watching me, he pinched my hard nipple through my clothing. Sucking in my bottom lip, I closed my eyes.

  “Look at me,” he whispered.

  Opening my eyes, I stared back at him. His hand trailed down my belly and over my jeans. His palm rested on my inner thigh.

  “Is this too much?”

  My breath was caught in my throat at how turned on I was. The things he did to me. It was much farther than I’d usually go, but for him, I couldn’t stop. Something about him made me feel safe. I’d only known him a short time, but couldn’t imagine life without him.

  Finally, I shook my head. He cupped me and rubbed me over my jeans. “Oh.”

  He smiled then leaned back down, only this time he kissed my neck as he pleasured me below. I let me fingers caress his lower back.

  His sucked on my ear lobe, then whispered, “Can I take your pants off?”

  Yes! Please! I nodded.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want you doing anything you’re not ready for.” He stared back into my eyes.

  I really didn’t want to stop, but maybe we should stop. In all honestly, I didn’t know him that well yet to be slipping my pants off. Chances were, if I let him do that, before long my panties would be off as well as his bottom half. And who knew what would happen after that. Sex? I was saving that. Not for marriage, but for someone who I truly cared about and shared those feelings for me in return. It’s why I never did it in high school. Those relationships never last. Although, I barely knew this guy, other than he was a hot biker, and yet, he made me want to throw all my inhibitions out the door.

  “Let’s watch a movie.” He placed a kiss on my cheek, the pulled me up to sitting. “I like you, a lot. I don’t want to rush things.”

  “Okay.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.

  He switched the TV on and used the on-screen app to open up Netflix. He put on a comedy before wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I laid my head against his soft cotton T-shirt, enjoying the closeness. Now that my inner excitement was wearing down, I was happy he stopped us before we let things go too far. I needed to figure out what it was about Gabe that made me want to throw caution to the wind.

  * * *

  I’m so going to get lost here.

  A few days later, I finished exploring the huge campus. Sitting down on a bench, I took deep breaths. I wasn’t going to have to worry about the freshman fifteen. Evan sat down next to me, adjusting his ball cap from the bright sun.

  “I’m glad we’ve got a class together.” He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees.

  “Yeah. Wonder if we have the word freshman tattooed on our forehead.”

  He smiled. Evan was an attractive guy. I imagined before long he’d have a girlfriend. “Probably. Before long we’ll have it down.” He sat back against the bench. “I’ve been meaning to ask, how was the first night at your new place? Was Kristy your only bedmate?”

  I could hear the irritation in his tone. “Yes, Kristy was, D
ad.”

  I was so glad Kristy had been there the first night. I’d tossed and turned, my mind clouded with Gabe. It hadn’t helped that was all Kristy had wanted to talk about. Last night had been easier because I was so exhausted, but I still kept waking up. I worked tonight, and hopefully I’d be so tired when I got home, I’d crash and not hear every single squeak in the place.

  “Gabe isn’t so bad,” I said. We needed to talk about him. Evan had to understand I was going to pursue a relationship with Gabe. “Maybe you should give him a chance.”

  “Are you dating?”

  I shrugged. “I think.”

  Evan groaned. “Maybe you should ask him.”

  I cleared my throat, hating where this conversation was going. “You know, I don’t think he’s what your friend thinks. He isn’t pushing me to do more than I want. Besides, it’s my choice when I have sex and with who. I’ve not thrown my belief away on waiting until it’s with the right person. In the mean time, I can have fun.”

  Evan’s eyes went wide. “So you’re doing things with him?”

  Did kissing and over the clothes petting count? I stared at Evan and could see a different look in his eyes, as though it upset him more than it would a friend. “No, not yet.”

  Evan glanced away.

  “Why does it bother you, anyway?” I asked.

  Softly he said, “I care about you.”

  I touched his knee. “Evan, you’re going to meet someone, too.”

  He looked back at me then stood, my hand falling back to the bench. “Maybe the one I want is obviously not interested. Never has been.” He marched away with anger in his steps.

  I watched him as he shoved his hands in his pockets and headed back toward town. There was no way Evan meant me? He’d dated all kinds of girls in high school. Confided in me about everything. We were friends. Almost like a brother and sister, or so I thought. Had things changed for Evan?

  * * *

  As I stepped out onto the lighted street, I pulled my cell phone from my purse. Thankfully, my apartment wasn’t far, but the idea of walking alone was frightening. I’d buy pepper spray tomorrow. Clutching the phone in my hand, ready to call for help if I needed it, I crossed the street.