Princess Next Door Read online

  “You know, I really need to bake you a pie.”

  “You’re not the first person to mention this to me.”

  She smiled. “Did Tammy tell you I was going to bake you a pie? I’ve been thinking about it all week, you know, to say thank you, and now I don’t know if I should bake you a pie or not. What do you think?”

  “How much have you had to drink?” he asked.

  “Three beers, and Marshall seems to think they make me very, very talkative. I don’t know. Do you think I seem talkative to you?” She tilted her head to the side to watch him.

  “Just a smidge.”

  “Well, I guess in a way they’re working then.”

  She went to brush past him, but Zane stopped her.

  “Why is it working?”

  She crooked her finger for him to move closer to her. He leaned in, and when she was near his ear she whispered. “I’m a virgin and I struggle to talk to guys, so I’m here to pick one up to show me a good time. You can’t say anything though because it’s all very quiet. Tammy and Marshall are here to point out the good guys, and the ones they don’t like. The preppy guy already got a thumbs-down.”

  “You’re a virgin?” he asked, lifting his head up.

  Covering his mouth with her hand, she told him to hush. “You can’t say that out loud.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s like totally illegal, and besides, I don’t intend to stay a virgin all that much longer. I’ve got a cunning plan.”

  She moved past him, and this time, he didn’t stop her. With every step she took, she knew she shouldn’t have spoken, and that beer had that effect on her. Dropping down in the booth, she was there in time to see Tammy and Marshall making out.

  What she found so incredibly sweet was that even after over twenty years of marriage, they were still very much in love.

  Tammy pulled away, and Wynter saw the flush in her cheeks, and in that moment, she wished she was her friend. Not for Marshall or anything, but just to know what it felt like to be so loved that she couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

  “Do I talk more after a couple of beers?” Wynter asked. “I think I do because I’ve just bumped into Zane.” She turned to Marshall. “The guy at the bar you met. He’s my neighbor.”

  “You already introduced us.”

  “Yeah, and I just told him why I’m here, and that I’m a virgin.” Marshall choked on his beer, but she kept on going. “And that you guys are here to help me pick the perfect guy.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Marshall said, turning to Tammy. “You didn’t tell me I was here for this.”

  “We’re not. We’re here to keep an eye on Wynter while she has a good time because she doesn’t trust her taste in men.”

  “That’s the truth. I wanted to meet people, but I was too scared that I’d judge them all wrong, and before we knew where we were, I’d be like totally in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is easy for you guys, and it’s so not for me.”

  “Wynter, hunting for a guy in a bar to lose your virginity to is not the way to go,” Marshall said. “No one, and I mean no one, should do that, and especially someone like you.”

  She pouted. “What’s wrong with me?”

  “You’re twenty-five years old, and the last thing any of us want is for you to be filled with regret. It’s not fair to you or anyone else. You’ve saved it.”

  She shook her head. “No, that’s the thing. I didn’t save it. I just wasn’t going to give it to Carey.” She shivered, recalling his hands all over her body.

  “Wynter…”

  “I just want to have some fun, and I know you and Tammy care about me. I know you think this is a mistake, Marshall, but I really don’t think it is.”

  “Come on, honey, we’ll dance, only this time no one will intervene.” Tammy took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

  “Do you think I’m making a big mistake?” she asked, wrapping her arms around her friend.

  “Yes, I do.”

  She pulled back a little, shocked with her answer.

  “What? You think I agree to you picking up some random guy. I lost my V-card to the love of my life, and that night still fucking sucked, and Marshall hated it. It’s a … vulnerable time in a woman’s life. For some it can be over, and they’re happy with that. With me, I was emotional.”

  “You were?”

  “Yes, I had tears, and I was scared. I didn’t see what the big deal was with the whole sex thing because it wasn’t that good. The first time, it’s never good, honey. No matter who you pick, do you really want to risk losing a part of yourself to some stranger?”

  “We’re not in the Middle Ages or something. It’s not some gift.”

  “And that’s where you’re wrong. It is a gift. Your body is your own special gift, Wynter. It’s not to be thrown at anyone, not your first time.” Tammy sighed. “I know you just want to get it over with, and you know what? I completely understand your frustration, I do. What I don’t want is for you to call me tomorrow, crying because you can’t stand the fact you slept with some faceless man you can’t remember or at worst, you’re never, ever going to see again.”

  “Why do you have to be the voice of reason right now?”

  “I’m a teacher. It’s ingrained for me to always guide the young.”

  She rolled her eyes and finished her dance with her friend. This time when they went back to the table, she apologized, and said she needed to get some air. She didn’t want them to feel like they were babysitting her. They should be allowed to have a good time as well, and if they didn’t, she’d feel even guiltier.

  Stepping out into the warm night air, she took several deep breaths and stared up at the moon. Closing her eyes, she kept on taking deep breaths.

  “Couldn’t think?”

  She turned to see Zane sitting on the hood of a truck, smoking a cigarette. “I didn’t know you smoked.”

  “It’s a bad habit, but I always have at least one before heading in to sing.”

  “You’re performing? Tonight?”

  “Yep. I work the bar, and perform at it. I told you I was in a rock band.” He winked at her.

  “I believed you.”

  “And now you’re going to get to hear me play.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  He patted the space beside him, and she climbed on, feeling really clumsy as she didn’t want to ruin the paintwork with her heels. Zane helped her up, and she stared over at the bar. It was crazy to think how quiet it was outside rather than inside.

  She could at least think here for a few seconds.

  “How is your manhunt going?”

  “I’ve been told that my manhunt is not going all that well. In fact, I’ve been told that I shouldn’t be hunting for a guy in a bar. Can you imagine that?”

  “I can, yes.”

  She ran fingers through her hair. “It’s tough you know. Being a girl, and then being a woman. I mean, what do men really want?”

  “Sex. Freedom. The chance to come and go as they please. Oh, and to be told they’re the greatest lover in the world.”

  She laughed. “I don’t think I could lie to someone like that.”

  “Now that is no way to be getting a man. You have to point out exactly how handsome, sexy, and so right for you they really are.” He nudged her shoulder, and she closed her eyes.

  Every single time he touched her, she felt this fire ignite inside her.

  Wynter felt drawn to him in a way that no one had ever appealed before. He was totally the opposite of everything her parents would like in a guy.

  First, he’d covered his body in ink, and they really didn’t like it when anyone did that. She recalled a conversation she’d had with her father over a woman at the bank. How she’d ruined her body by having a little tattoo around her wrist.

  Her parents weren’t religious or anything, although the way they talked, everyone would think they were.

  No, they were just really, r
eally opinionated, and that sucked. They wanted people to stick to their way of life, and putting ink on their body was not “the right way” to go.

  Pushing thoughts of her parents aside, she focused on the bar.

  “I’ve got to head back in. I’ll save a spot near the front for you, and you can cheer me on.”

  “Okay. This is so going to be my first rock concert.”

  ****

  Princess stood at the edge of the crowd as he began to sing. He and the guys had written a couple of their own songs for some fun, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. They’d been performing for years together, since they were in high school. They’d had a chance of making it big, but they completely blew it. Now they were keeping their feet firmly on the ground, keeping their focus right.

  They just loved to perform.

  To get the crowd wild.

  Of course, if the big time ever came around again, they’d all jump at the chance to take it. No doubt in his mind that he’d take the opportunity. Throughout the entire half hour they were on stage, he struggled not to sing his heart out to Princess. The crowd was rocking them tonight, and he for one was loving the energy, but he also liked having her attention completely on him.

  Any of the guys that approached hoping to dance, he saw she turned them down, and her attention would once again come toward him.

  He winked at her often, and she shook her head, smiling.

  When they were finished, he found her sitting at the booth with Tammy and Marshall.

  “That was awesome. You guys are, like, totally awesome,” Princess said, throwing her arms around them.

  “I was wondering if you’d mind if I took her onto the dance floor.”

  “No, go ahead.”

  Taking her hand, he led her onto the floor, signing napkins as a few people stopped them. “You’re like a celebrity now.”

  “It’ll all go in the trash tomorrow,” he said.

  The music changed to a slow song, and he pulled her into his arms, loving the scent of vanilla that filled his senses for having her close.

  “I like dancing.”

  “You’ve not danced a lot.”

  “I went to dances all the time. The only problem was I had to go with my parents’ approved boyfriend, and dancing as you know, requires touch. I hated his touch.” She gave a little shiver. “I always pretended that I couldn’t dance or that I hated it so I didn’t have to dance with him. Am I rambling?”

  “Nah, I like that you’re talking. It beats totally being glared at by you.”

  She sighed. “I was such a horrible neighbor to you, wasn’t I? I was so horrible, and so mean.”

  “I had celebrated for a week straight. You had a right to complain.”

  “I don’t like your taste in music. If you’d played some of the stuff you sang tonight I totally wouldn’t have had a problem. Your voice rocked, by the way.” She chuckled. “You get it? You sang rock music and you rocked. Totally so cool.”

  “You’re a weirdo, right?” He laughed, and found her so utterly adorable.

  “Tammy says I’m weird. I have a question for you.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “Where do you think that statement comes from? Do you think someone wanted to like make a statement to an entire bunch of people, and everyone lifted an ear? We’re all ears?”

  “How many beers have you had now?”

  “Five, I think.”

  He glanced over his shoulder to see the couple she was with dancing and looking all loved up.

  She followed his line of sight. “They’re an amazing couple. They’ve been together since they were eighteen.”

  “They married young.”

  “Yeah, I know. My parents were so young as well. That’s what they believed and wanted for me.”

  “Your parents?”

  “Yeah. They think you should marry young, have kids, raise your family, and be there for them always.”

  “You don’t agree?”

  “I’m twenty-five years old, and they think I’m already too old to marry and have kids. They wanted me to marry Carey, the guy I was telling you about.”

  “Handsy Carey.”

  She chuckled. “Handsy Carey, I really like that.”

  He loved seeing her smile and the chuckle on her face as she relaxed in his company.

  “I like this,” she said. “You’re a good dancer.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself, Princess.”

  When an upbeat song came on, they took a seat with his friends. Tammy and Marshall joined while he went and got a couple of beers for all of them.

  Marshall came with him.

  “Do you like her?” he asked.

  Zane laughed. “You don’t need to do any of that kind of routine with me. I know you’re her friends and I’m just her neighbor.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep.”

  “Last time I checked, getting jealous at a bunch of guys dancing with a girl, it doesn’t mean ‘nothing’ to me.” Zane stared at Marshall, who held his arms out. “You looked a little … put out by it all.”

  He glanced back at Princess and saw her laughing at something Silas had said.

  “I’m not in love with her.”

  “I can see that, totally. Getting your friends to dance with her as well. I’m a guy. I was an asshole once as well.”

  “You’re a bit much, calling me an asshole.”

  He glanced over at Tammy. “I nearly lost her for being an asshole. I thought I didn’t want forever with her, so she went on a date with one other guy. It’s why I know why you’re feeling what you’re feeling. Don’t worry, kid, you’ll grow up soon enough.”

  “I’m thirty years old,” Zane said.

  “And the moment you think you don’t need to grow up, is the day you’re going to need to do that the most.”

  Zane laughed. “I like you.”

  “I get that a lot. Do you have a pet name for her yet?”

  “Pet name?”

  “Something you call her that no one else does?” Marshall asked.

  He looked toward her. “Princess.”

  “Do you know her real name?”

  “Yes. Wynter Griffin. Princess suits her better.”

  This time Marshall laughed. “You’re totally whipped, and right now you don’t even see it. I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.”

  Zane ordered himself a soda, and designated himself as the driver for the evening. Marshall was already onto coffee, and he imagined he was the one driving him and Tammy home.

  The rest of the evening he listened to his friends tell them all stories about some of the tours they’d been on. Nothing big, just booking bars and clubs, and getting rowdy. He liked watching Princess as the guys told their tales. She seemed to really enjoy them, and he just couldn’t get enough of being close to her.

  He made sure to glare down any guy who approached with the hope of getting her to dance. That shit wasn’t happening, not on his watch.

  By the end of the night, they all left the bar. His friends took off in their truck, and he looked at Marshall.

  “I live right next door to her. I can take her home.”

  “Come on, Marshall. It’s time to go before the babysitter charges us triple.”

  “You better not hurt her.”

  “I have no intention of ever hurting her,” he said. “It makes no sense driving out of your way when I’m going in exactly the same direction.”

  “He’ll be fine, Marshall. I’m not so far gone that I can’t kick him in the balls like you taught me to.”

  “See, I’ll even let her do that.”

  Marshall nodded. “Call me as soon as you get home.”

  “I will.” She threw her arms around Marshall, kissing his cheek. “Have a nice night, and thank you so, so much for bringing me out.” She moved away, and linked her arm with his. “You’re so sweet offering to take me home.”

  “A real gentleman would do that.”

  He nodded
at Marshall, and took Princess home with him.

  “I really enjoyed tonight. I was worried that I’d hate it. I begged Tammy to come with me. They really struggle to get a babysitter. Their kids like to tease and torment all of the people that look after them. I normally babysit for them if they want to go out, and I had to bribe them, offering ten dollars and a week of pizza.”

  He loved listening to her talk.

  “Could you pull over?” Princess said.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Before he had the chance to pull over, she leaned between her legs, and he cursed as she hurled vomit down onto the floor.

  He rolled down his window and pulled up. She was still vomiting, and the stench was putrid.

  Easing her out of the truck, he held her as she kept on vomiting.

  “I’ve got you,” he said.

  “I feel awful. This is not normal,” she said.

  “Is this the first time you’ve drunk?”

  “Yeah, I think it could have been the wings I ate on the way out tonight.”

  “You made them?”

  “No, I bought them. I didn’t have time to cook myself anything.”

  When she stopped, he got her in the truck and put his foot to the gas to get there faster.

  By the time he pulled up, she was about to vomit again, and he got her upstairs to her bathroom before she did it on the floor. Not that it mattered much, as she was covered in vomit. Holding her hair out of the way, he grabbed her cell phone, dialing Marshall.

  “You got home already.”

  Before he spoke, Princess vomited.

  “I’ve got it under control, but it seems alcohol really, really doesn’t agree with her. It’s all over my truck. It okay if I get her to call you tomorrow?”

  “Crap, do you want us to come over?”

  “No, no, I’ve got it. She’s in safe hands.”

  “I’ll talk tomorrow,” Princess said, then vomited.

  He heard Marshall wince. “Good luck, man.”

  Five minutes later, Princess was crying. “This is so wrong. My stomach is cramping real bad, and I think I got vomit down my boobs.”

  Turning on the shower, Zane didn’t see himself getting home to his bed.

  Holding her in his arms, he stripped her down to her underwear, and even as he wished he had the chance to admire her, he was in no mood to be thinking anything sexy. His car stank, he had vomit on himself, and now he had a very ill Princess on his hands. Getting her washed and dried took him nearly an hour, and when he had her in bed, he took a shower. Gathering up their clothes, he was about to do some laundry when she appeared in the bathroom and began vomiting again.