Chapter 13

“Where are you going?” Alex asked.

“Uh…” Donnie cleared his throat. He’d been secretly seeing Teghan for a little over a month now, and he was running out of lies. “I’m going for a run.”

“In jeans and a polo shirt?”

“No. I’m gonna change,” Donnie said, toeing off his shoes.

“Want some company?”

Not really. “Sure.” Fuck! He was going to be late now. “Let me hit the bathroom first.” Donnie walked to the bathroom and dug out his cell phone.

“Hey there, sexy,” Teghan answered.

“I got bad news,” he whispered. “Alex is giving me a hard time tonight. I’m gonna be late.”

“Oh. Well, that’s okay.” She sighed heavily. “I promised some friends I’d hang out with them one of these nights anyway. Text me as soon as you can get away.”

The tone of her voice clutched at this heart. She sounded sad. “I’m sorry, Teghan.”

“Don’t be. It’s really okay.”

“You don’t sound like it’s okay,” he said. “I think we should just tell Alex. I’m tired of sneaking around.”

“No!” Teghan said. “You can’t tell him. Promise me, Donnie.”

He sighed, but promised. A knot formed in his stomach. It’d been five days since he’d last seen her, and he missed her like crazy. “I will see you tonight,” Donnie said before saying goodbye and hanging up.

“That was one long ass piss,” Alex said when Donnie came back into the room.

“I had to take a shit,” he said.

“Nate just called. The Tri-Gams are having a wet tee shirt party tonight. I told him we’d come check it out.” Nate was the president of the fraternity where Alex wanted to pledge.

“Why’d you do that?” It was no secret that Donnie didn’t like the guy. Nate was a crude, arrogant, sleazeball.

“What’s up with you lately, man?”

“Nothing. I just don’t feel like watching Nate chase ass all night,” Donnie said.

“That explains your attitude tonight, but what about the past month? You’re always disappearing and you never want to hang anymore.”

Donnie ignored him and put his sneakers on. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m here every night.” He yanked off his polo shirt and turned away from Alex. He silently prayed that Alex wouldn’t figure it out, but he wasn’t hopeful. Maybe it was time to come clean, to tell Alex that he was in love with Teghan. Okay, maybe not be that honest. Teghan had made him promise, repeatedly, to keep it a secret. He pulled a tee shirt over his head. “We gonna run or what?”

“Yeah,” Alex said.

They jogged to the track, picking up speed as they ran. Alex and Donnie didn’t speak. Donnie was too focused on Teghan. He silently debated if he should tell her that he loved her. Would she say it back? Would she be willing to commit to him?

“I’m done,” Donnie said after four laps.

“Me too,” Alex said in between breaths. “So, are you gonna check out this party with me or what?”

“I can’t. I have plans.”

“Doing what?”

“Hanging with a friend.”

“Who?”

“For Christ’s sake, Alex. You sound like my mother.” Donnie wiped his forehead and took off towards the dorm.

“What the fuck, dude?” Alex shouted. “You into something illegal?” He caught up to Donnie.

“No. Look, if you wanna hang tomorrow night, then I’m cool with that.”

“It’s a chick, isn’t it?” Alex asked.

Donnie stopped walking, put his hands on his hips, and looked at Alex. “Yes.”

“Who? Is it that hot blonde who’s always checking you out at the gym?”

“No.” Donnie started back towards the dorm.

“The redhead,” Alex said his voice full of excitement. “Is she a true reddie?”

“No,” Donnie said through clenched teeth.

“Figures.”

“No, I meant it’s not the redhead.”

“There’s another one? Who?”

Donnie considered jabbing Alex in the throat. “Just drop it, Alex.” Donnie swung open the door to their dorm and went inside.

Alex followed him up the stairs. “C’mon, just tell me.”

“I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone. She’s got a crazy ex,” Donnie said.

“Oh, now I get it.” Alex smiled.

“Get what?”

“Your ‘girlfriend.’ Wink, wink. Let me guess, she doesn’t go to school here and she probably lives in a different state, too.”

“Dude, you’re being a real dick.” Donnie continued to walk ahead of Alex.

“Is she made of plastic and full of hot air?” Alex laughed.

Donnie stopped and then spun around, grabbed Alex by the shirt, and slammed him up against the wall. “You’re really starting to piss me off. Shut the fuck up, and drop it.”

“Get your fucking hands off me.” Alex shoved Donnie hard enough to knock him into the opposite wall.

“You don’t want to know, man. Trust me.” Donnie walked to their room and unlocked the door. He gathered some clothes and was headed for the shower when Alex appeared in the doorway. His arms were crossed over his chest and his face was red with anger. “Get out of the way,” Donnie said.

“No,” Alex said. “I’ve kept my mouth shut long enough, but your mood swings this past month are worse than a chick’s. So, you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on, or you can find yourself a new roommate.”

“I told you. You don’t want to know.”

Alex walked into the room and slammed the door. “I already know. Now stop being a fucking pussy and just tell me.”

“I’ve been seeing Teghan.”

“You son of a bitch!” Alex punched Donnie in the mouth.

Donnie stumbled back slightly and brought his hand to his lips. Blood. It could be worse. God knows he deserved worse. “I told you to drop it. I warned you that you wouldn’t like it.”

“It’s been going on this entire time?” Alex dug his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed.

“What’re you doing?” Donnie asked.

“Calling Teghan.”

“Put the phone away, Alex.” Alex brought the phone to his ear. Donnie snatched it out of Alex’s hand and threw it on the bed. “I promised her I wouldn’t tell you.”

“Right. Because I’m the crazy ex. Well, too damn bad. I’m not going to keep my mouth shut just so she doesn’t get pissed at you.”

“If you care about her at all, you will.”

“Don’t you dare use my feelings for Teghan against me.” He pointed his finger inches from Donnie’s face. “You’re a piece of shit, you know that?”

“I’m outta here,” Donnie said.

“You’re wrong for her, Donnie, and you know it. Hell, even her father knows it.”

Donnie put his fist in Alex’s cheek. “Fuck you!” he said before walking out of the room.

***

Donnie checked his watch. Again. It was closing in on two a.m. and there was still no sign of Teghan. He’d been sitting outside of her dorm since just after midnight. He’d texted her, but she hadn’t responded. Donnie hoped to hell he was able to talk to Teghan before Alex got to her.

His patience finally paid off. Teghan came walking towards him, her arm draped around some guy’s waist. The guy had his arm around Teghan’s shoulders, his mouth inches from her ear. Donnie could feel his heart rate quicken and his face turn red. Who the hell was that guy and why did he have his hands on my girlfriend? he wondered.

He heard Teghan giggle then say, “Stop.” She tried to use her free hand to push the guy’s face away from her, but she missed and stumbled in front of him. The guy grabbed her and steadied her.

“Teghan,” Donnie said his voice low and even.

She snapped her head in his direction. “Donnie? What the hell are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you,” he said, his arms crossed over his chest, his voice tight with anger.

“Why?” She started to walk towards him then stopped. “Thanks for walking me home, Logan.”

Logan nodded. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

Donnie glared at Logan as he walked by.

“If you’re here to act like a jealous boyfriend, that role has already been filled. By Alex.” Teghan fumbled with her key until she got the door open.

“He called you?” Donnie asked as he followed her into her dorm and up to her room.

“Sure did. Got a very nice voicemail from him. Would you like to hear it?”

“Teghan, please let me explain.” Donnie closed the door behind him.

“Do tell.” Teghan plopped down on her bed.

Donnie sat beside her. He rubbed his palms up and down his pant legs. He knew it wasn’t the best time to have a conversation with her. “Look, I don’t know how it happened but—”

“Go home, Donnie,” she mumbled, her words slurring.

“Not until you let me explain.”

Teghan got off her bed, staggered to the mini-fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. “Want one?” Donnie shook his head no. She twisted off the top and drank half the bottle in one long swallow. “I’m waiting,” she said.

“I tried not to tell him, but he just kept pushing and pushing. Next thing I know, he’s punching me in the face.”

“You promised!” she shouted. “You swore you wouldn’t tell him. How could you do this to us? To me?”

Donnie hung his head and sighed. “I’m so sorry, Teghan.” He got up, walked to her, and wrapped his arms around her. “Maybe this is for the best though.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Teghan pushed him away. “I knew it was a mistake to get involved with you.” She pointed at him then the door. “Get out!”

“Wait a minute,” he said. “You’ve been lying to everyone you claim to care about and now you’re getting pissed at me for being honest with them? That’s a bit hypocritical don’t you think?”

Teghan slapped him. “You’re a jerk. A selfish, manipulative, jerk. I want you out of my room and out of my life.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to let you push me away again. Not now. Not after everything we’ve shared.”

Teghan walked to the door and opened it. “Get out.”

He approached her. “I’m not leaving, Teghan.

“Fine,” she said, swinging the door closed.

Donnie hated the way her voice had flattened to an even level. “We can get through this,” he said.

She stood facing him. “You wanna know the best part of Alex’s message?”

He cringed. “No.”

“Alex said he still loves me and that’s why he made that bet with you. The one where you two bet me over a basketball game. You know the one I’m talking about, don’t you, Donnie?”

Donnie looked at her, stunned. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb. I want to know what the bet was,” she said.

“Does it really matter?”

“Yes.” Teghan folded her arms across her chest and leaned up against the door.

Donnie sighed. “Alex and I bet on a basketball game. I win and I get to take you out. Alex wins and I walk away from you for good. It was just a stupid bet, Teghan. It didn’t mean anything.”

“Who won?”

Donnie looked down at the floor.

“Who won?” she repeated.

“Alex,” he mumbled, wincing as Teghan’s hand made contact with his face again.

Gripping her upper arms, he pushed her up against the door, and crushed his mouth over hers, giving her a hard, daring kiss laced with frantic despair. A small moan escaped him as he felt Teghan lean into him, becoming pliant against his body. Donnie could feel she wanted him. He could feel it in the way she kissed him. He loosened the grip on her arms and dragged his hands up her shoulders and into her hair.

“Teghan,” he whispered, reluctantly releasing her lips. Donnie watched as Teghan fought to open her eyes. He adjusted his hands so that they were on either side of her head, palms flat on the door.

“Stop!” She pushed him away and beat her fists on his chest. “You bastard.”

“Stop it!” Donnie grabbed her hands and shoved her onto the bed. He straddled her, pinning her arms by her sides.

“It was never about me or your feelings for me, was it?” she asked quietly.

He leaned over and kissed her hard. “It’s always been about you, Teghan. You have to know that.”

“I’m not a fucking trophy.” She writhed beneath him.

“Fucking Christ, Teghan. Do you really believe that’s how I think of you?” He eased up on her enough so that she could free her arms.

She pushed at him, but he didn’t move. Her hands hit him again, and scratched at his chest. Teghan lifted her head from the bed until she was inches from his face. Her eyes were nothing more than mere slits, her voice a taunting whisper, and her smile goading. “Yes.”

“God damn you.” Donnie felt the tips of his ears burn hot. She’d crossed the line with that one. “You obviously have no clue, do you?”

Teghan shook her head back and forth. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’ve never, never, thought of you as a trophy.” Donnie leaned down and kissed her again.

Teghan sat up on her elbows, meeting his mouth. “You’re a terrible liar,” she said.

Donnie glared at her. “What did you say?”

“You never wanted me. You won me. There’s a difference.” She was furious with him, but everything south of her waist, was damp, dripping with desire. Why was she so aroused by the situation? It infuriated her that he had this kind of power over her.

“Is that what you think? That I don’t want you? If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t have bet you.” He reached for his zipper and slowly pulled it down. “See this?”

A strangled sound of pleasure tore from Teghan’s throat as she watched Donnie’s cock spring free from his jeans. It was hard and throbbing.

Donnie grabbed himself. “Does this look like I don’t want you? Huh? Even if there had been no bet, I still would’ve wanted you. I can’t get enough of you, Teghan.”

Teghan’s tongue lashed out, licking the head. He tasted like a mixture of warm flesh, body wash, and a salty sweetness. It was intoxicating. She’d never given head before. Her lips closed around him, drawing him deeper into her mouth. Her tongue circled around the ridge as she sucked hard.

“Teghan…Ah, God, baby…fuck!”

She smiled around him. Oh, having this type of power over a man, this man, her man, was better than she could’ve imagined. “Mmm,” she murmured while her fingers cupped his balls.

“I want you,” he said as he pulled out of her mouth and curled his fingers around the waistband of her shorts, tugging them over her hips.

His word choice wasn’t lost on her, and she knew he meant it, but he wasn’t getting off the hook that easily. She lifted her hips to him and smiled. “Claiming Alex’s prize, are you?”

“You’re mine, damn it. Not Alex’s.” Donnie spread her legs with his knees and with one hard push entered her. Teghan sucked in a breath and wrapped her legs around his waist. She loved the feel of him filling her, stretching her, fucking her until she screamed his name. He put one hand flat on the mattress by her head, the other on her waist, and stared down at her as he moved in and out of her slowly. “Mine,” he repeated.

“Yes.” Teghan winced as Donnie’s fingers dug into her hip when he started moving again. Hard and fast. She arched her neck and closed her eyes.

“Look at me,” he growled. Teghan kept her eyes closed. His teeth raked across her neck, sending rasping flares of pleasure through her body. “Open your eyes, Teghan.” She slowly opened her eyes. “Good.” He smiled and kissed her firmly. “You are mine,” he repeated the words each time he thrust into her.

“No,” she half moaned half shouted. “I. Hate. You,” she muttered, each word a staccato.

Donnie eased out of her. She propelled her hips up; the need to feel him plunging inside of her was so intense she didn’t think she’d survive it. “Take it back,” he demanded.

“No,” she said, her voice was weak. “I hate you.” The words were a breathless whisper. He shifted his weight into both of his arms and pounded her with jackhammer fast thrusts. “Oh, God, Donnie.”

“You’re the most impossible woman I’ve ever met,” he panted.

Teghan grabbed his ass, the feel of it clenching beneath her hands as he started to spill inside of her made her dizzy. It was coming, fast, uninhibited, and beyond her control. “I…I…” she stammered.

I hate you! Every time she said those words, she’d feel him push her just a little closer to the edge. Speaking them left a bitter taste in her mouth though because God knows she loved him with everything she had.

“You feel what you do to me?” He moved faster, each forward plunge of his hips was with a purpose now. “My God, Teghan,” he moaned. “Ahh, yes.”

Her teeth caught his bottom lip and nipped it as they rode the waves of their orgasms together. “Donnie,” she whispered. He buried his face in her hair. His heavy, erratic breathing tickled her neck. She giggled and squirmed beneath him, positioning herself so that she could see his face. She kissed his cheek and stroked his sweat dampened hair.

“Please don’t push me away, Teghan. I love you.”

What the fuck? Had she just heard him correctly? Teghan shoved him off of her and rolled out of bed. She stood up, grabbed her bathrobe, and tied it tightly. “What did you just say to me?”

Donnie pulled up his jeans and buttoned them before pulling Teghan into his arms. “I love you,” he repeated.

Teghan pushed him away. All of her anger, all of her fears, all of her pain came back full force. Tears trickled down her face. “You have no right,” she said. “No right to say that to me. Not now. Not like this.”

“Why the hell not?”

“This entire time, I thought you were lying to Alex because I asked you to, but in reality, you’ve been lying to him because you knew he’d won the bet.” She turned her back on him.

“Teghan, please.” Donnie put his hand on her shoulder.

Teghan spun around. “You bet me, like I was some goddamned prize to be won. And you didn’t even win! Do you have any idea how furious Alex is about this?”

“I don’t care,” Donnie said. “Yeah, I know it was a shitty ass thing to do, not keeping up my end of the deal, but you are more important than some drunken bet I made with Alex.”

Teghan slapped him when he tried reaching for her again. “Don’t touch me,” she cried, hugging herself.

“Don’t do this,” he pleaded.

“Just leave,” she said.

Donnie picked his shirt up off the floor and put it on. He walked to the door, opened it, and stopped. “For what it’s worth, Teghan, it was never about the sex. Not for me. And I know you don’t believe me now, but I do love you.”

“Go.”

He walked over to her, took her face into his hands, and wiped her tears with his thumbs. “I’m sorry.” Donnie gave her a gentle kiss. “When you calm down, give me a call. I’ll be waiting for you.” He turned and left her room.

Teghan grabbed the bottle of water she’d opened earlier and threw it at the door. “Shit!” She collapsed to the floor, tucked her knees to her chest and sobbed.