B O N U SÂ 4
Boulevard
David Williams didn't care.
Whether it be feelings, opinions, or people in generalâhe didn't give a single fuck about anything.
It seemed to be almost natural to care. About your image, how people perceived you, whether you were liked or not, or if those you surround yourself with truly enjoyed your company.
But David never did. It was always about fun and games to him, making the best out of even the worst situations he was thrown into. Arlin Prep and the gossip that came with it never bothered him the way it bothered others. It was entertaining, even when the weirdest things were said about him.
Letting other people's words and actions dictate how you felt would destroy you, and then you'd be granting someone else that power over you, allowing them to control how you felt.
David didn't like that. He didn't like knowing someone or something had that kind of hold over him. And so he refused to allow that to happen.
Or he at least tried not to.
With all his annoyance at attachments, feelings, and caring, it was hard for him to lay there and pretend he truly was some heartless creature that didn't care about a thing in the world.
Sure, he was heartless to an extent, and didn't truly care for much, but there were a few things and people that had managed to worm their way to importance in David's life.
And the most dangerous of them all, the one who he absolutely refused to allow to hold any more power over him than she already did, was right beside him.
One glance in her direction, and it was like the ice around his heart melted. It always did for her.
Malia Carrington was nothing short of perfection, especially as the sunlight peeked through the not fully closed blinds, casting a glow around her naked body that was barely shielded beneath the thin sheets.
Somehow, she looked even more beautiful than usualâas if that was possible. But there was something about this side of her, the one that looked peaceful and calm as she slept, that brought another level to her beauty. David was so used to her guarded looksâto that frown, that glare, and even that teasing smirkâthat seeing her relaxed had him thrown for a second.
The pull towards her, the urging he'd always had to be around her, grew stronger, and that was when he had to force himself to look away.
He swung his eyes to the ceiling, refraining from sighing in frustration at himself. He couldn't afford to wake her, and then watch as that calmness she had washed away the second she laid eyes on him.
But laying there was driving him crazy. He wanted nothing more than to turn over, toss his arm around her, and pull her closer.
David knew he couldn't reach out for her. He'd sworn long ago to never let Malia back into his heart, both for his own good and hers. It wasn't like she had wanted a spot there, anyway.
He quickly got off the bed and slid his boxers on, gathering the rest of his belongings in one hand. He spared one last look toward Malia, watching as she shifted in the bed before hugging the pillow David's head had rested on seconds ago closer to her, eyes never opening.
Not wanting to test his luck, he headed toward the door, not caring about putting the rest of his clothes on.
Just as David touched the doorknob, a loud ringing echoed around the room. No doubt a phone call. With his phone tucked away in the jeans he was currently holding, he knew it wasn't his, and he held his breath worrying the sound would wake Malia.
He quickly opened the door and stepped out, and just as he was ready to fully close the door behind him and release a breath of relief when the ringing stopped and he hadn't heard Malia's voice, someone else spoke.
"No. Fucking. Way."
David cringed, hand almost slipping off the doorknob. He tried recovering, closing the door quietly and then turning around to face the source of the shrill sound.
Lyndon Prince's oddly colored eyes were widened, mouth dropped in an exaggerated O shape as she switched from looking at the phone in her hand, the door David just closed, and the clothes in his arms.
While Lyndon took sometime to clearly gather her thoughts, David looked at her phone, quickly putting together that she was the one calling Malia. Which meant there was a strong possibility she knew Malia was behind the door. Fuck.
"Pick your jaw up, Boulevard," he decided to say, trying to play it cool. "You drooling over my abs is almost too flattering."
That wiped the shock right off her face, replacing it with anger like he expected. "Trust me, I'm not seeing anything worth drooling over."
Her arms crossed over her chest, eyes rolling seconds later. David couldn't help smirking at how easily annoyed the girl got.
But that smirk didn't last long as he watched Lyndon's eyes go back to the clothes he had in his arms.
"I can't believe this," she said, voice too loud with hysterics to tell if she was saying that from shock or disgust. Probably both. "You and Malâ"
David took a large step forward, placing him closer to Lyndon than he'd like, but her voice was too loud, and he knew from spending years hanging around this beach house that any little sound echoed down these long, narrow halls.
"You didn't see anything and you certainly don't know anything," he said, stepping even closer to her and raising a finger to her face to emphasize each word. "So keep your damn mouth shut before we have a problem. Got it?"
For a second, he thought his scare tactic would work. He'd cornered her against the wall, and he certainly had a few inches of height on her tall, lanky frame.
But he had forgotten who he was talking too, because less than a second later, Lyndon was squaring her shoulders and stepping forward, causing David to take a step back unless he wanted her up in his face.
"Point that finger at me again and I'll rip it off," she practically spat out. He didn't doubt she would. "Don't try that intimidation bullshit on me."
He watched her for a moment, knowing that this was exactly why he'd never been attracted to the girl, and couldn't ever understand why Jalen was. Sure, she was beautiful and her eyes were a sight of beauty all on their own, but she was a little too pushy and way too aggressive for his taste. Maybe Jalen was into that shit?
David certainly wasn't. While he liked a playful round of banter that danced across the line of flirting and downright being mean, he wasn't a fan of being with a girl that could kick his ass when he did completely cross that line. He often did push the limits, and he knew without a doubt that Lyndon was very capable of winning in a brawl. If he thought back to it, he could still feel the sting of her palm from that day in the hallway when he'd gone too far.
Going too far was his speciality, and he'd tested Lyndon many, many times after that. He was surprised that one slap was all the physical harm he'd gotten from her, and he didn't really feel like testing his luck right now.
"Okay, okay," he said, raising his free hand in surrender and stepping back. "I'm not in the mood to fight while I have no pants on. Let's try this again in an hour."
Lyndon's eyes flashed down before coming back to his face. "Oh my god, you don't have pants on," she stated, as if just remembering. "You were in there with Malia... but why, how?"
Her voice had gone lower, either because the news was settling in, or she realized she had been too loud before. Either way, David hoped she'd keep it at this volume. He didn't know what he'd do if Malia or anyone else heard.
Feeling there was no point in denying it, David forced a small smile to his face. "Boulevard, did you really just ask why? Don't tell me I have to give you a little talk about sexual pleasure."
She wrinkled her nose. "Definitely not," she scoffed. "I know what went on. I just don't understand why it happened, or how that even came to be."
He wasn't sure what to say. His history with Malia was long and complicated. It felt like there was too much there, yet, not anything at all. It was hard to explain.
Thankfully, he didn't need to, because Lyndon just kept babbling.
"Like, what the fuck is this? Is it a one time thing? Just giving her some good 'ole birthday sex?" She paused, eyes flickering all around the hallway as she went into deep thought. "No, no," she finally decided, wagging a finger his way. "I'm getting the feeling that this is far from the first time you two have done this."
Despite being put on the spot, and having someone he could barely fucking stand knowing something he'd have rather taken to his grave, David found himself smiling. Truly, this time. Something about Lyndon, her train of thought, and how she expressed it was so amusing to him.
"Damn, are you jealous?" he asked, grin widening when she rolled her eyes. "I always knew you wanted me, and that you were just using Jalen to get my attention. You should've just been up front with me, baby."
"Oh, don't you baby me after screwing my cousin," she replied, holding up a hand to stop him. "Even you can't be that disgusting."
"Screwing?" he repeated with a laugh. "You make it sound so dirty."
Lyndon let out a quick laugh. "Am I supposed to call it lovemaking?" she asked in an overly lovey-dovey voice, fake gagging after. "This is crazy. You two are constantly saying mean shit about the other."
Some of David's amusement left at her words, and he felt a slight sting because they weren't untrue.
"Listen," he started, taking a step her way again, before thinking better of it and moving back with a heavy sigh. "Lyndon, you can't spread this shit around, alright?"
The second he said her name, she froze, and her crossed arms fell to her sides. He wondered if she'd actually listen to him.
"Does Jalen know?"
David hadn't been expecting that. Though, knowing Lyndon and her track record, questions galore is what he should've been prepared for from the second he saw her standing in the hall.
Regretting not just running off when he came out of the room, he stepped forward and grabbed her arm, lightly dragging her behind him, further from where Malia wasâhopefullyâstill sound asleep. Lyndon let him drag her along, but he assumed that was because she was waiting for an answer.
"Well?" she asked once they were down the hall, placing each hand on her narrow hips.
He began to feel defensive, because who was she to question what Jalen did or didn't know? Would she run off and tell him if he said no, Jalen doesn't know? Those twoâfrom what he'd seen and heardâhad the shittiest communication known to man. His annoyance skyrocketed at the thought of his personal business being a topic of conversation for them, when they could barely get their own shit together.
David desperately wished it was anyone but Lyndon in front of him right now. His annoyance at her question and involving Jalen quickly morphed with the anger he still felt at himself for even falling into bed with Malia last night. He wanted to hit something, lash out, but he knew Lyndon was not the one to do that too.
All that annoyance and anger made way for disappointment in himself. It didn't matter how much he drank, he'd still been so goddamn weak last night, just like he always was around Malia.
"Does Jalen know he still one hundred percent has a shot with you?"
Might as well turn this shit on her and her bullshit, rather than focusing on him and his mess.
Lyndon paused, then shrugged. "I'm not so sure he does, and he knows that."
David laughed. "That's bullshit. Everyone knows you two aren't over."
It seemed like no matter what anyone said or did, those two couldn't be torn apart, even when they were the ones doing the damage themselves with their own words and actions.
And David had watched many people fall in love with Jalen, been unable to resist whatever magnetic pull his best friend seemed to have.
Hell, David watched as his own brother fell head over heels in love with Jalen. That was the only reason David even knew Danny was gay. He had no idea before, there'd of course been no obvious signs or differences between them that David picked up on. Being gay meant you were attracted to the same sex, not that you were different from someone who wasn't. And Danny certainly showed that.
And he also tried to hide it. But there was no hiding that look he had on his face whenever Jalen came around, and especially when he spoke, made some stupid comment or cracked a dumb joke. It was clear how Danny felt.
Something about Jalen just pulled people in, like he had an energy they wanted to be aroundâeven when the guy was always so broody and depressing.
It got Danny to want to join the little friendship David and Jalen formed, which in turn caused Eli to follow. It made them get stuck with Cortney too, because her own parents loved Jalen so much so that they wanted their daughter to one day marry himâsomething they'd clearly wanted from the time the kid was fucking nine years old. And then Malia came later on, pulled in by Jalen's charm too.
Elena DeJesus seemed to have fallen for that same charm, and sometimes, David wondered what the true story behind that relationship forming was. But he didn't like pondering on the thought too long, because all it did was serve as a reminder that Jalen would always be chosen over him. Jalen was who everyone wanted, and David was the tag along.
Even Malia preferred Jalen over him. Every time.
"We are over," Lyndon said after what felt like minutes of silence between them. She looked tired, and he assumed that had more to do with the exhaustion she felt from that relationship, and not that she was actually lacking sleep. "We both need space."
David highly doubted Jalen needed or wanted space from Lyndon. He was always the type to quickly attach himself to things and people.
Jalen was kind of like a needy puppy, but David still loved him as if they were blood brothersâeven if he'd always felt in second place. It wasn't ever Jalen's fault, it was everyone else that just preferred the blue eyed boy, and David always understood why Jalen was liked better.
Shit, sometimes he liked Jalen better than he liked himself, too.
"Cool," David commented. "Space is always good."
Space from Elena and everyone else in his life that had chosen Jalen over him always helped. That was, until he'd fallen for Malia. He could spend as long as he wanted away from her, but the second she was close, it was like no progress had been made at all.
Lyndon nodded, and they both kind of just stood there, not sure what else to say. They seemed lost in their own thoughts, so David took that as an opportunity to make his grand escape. Fuck trying to make sure Lyndon stood quiet. Right now, all he wanted was to be alone.
He barely took half a step away once he'd turned before he heard Lyndon's voiceâlow and uncharacteristically gentle.
"I won't say anything. To anyone."
David didn't turn around again, instead choosing to nod his head and mumble, "Thanks."
He went on his way after, and couldn't help feeling grateful towards Lyndon. It was so fucking weird to feel that way about her, but maybe, she wasn't as bad as he had always thought she was. And hell, after the way she had cried into his shoulder on that drive back from the airport, she kind of owed him this favor of shutting the hell up.
Her words followed him as he made his way to the room he had claimed as his own yesterday, despite having never spent the night in it.
Truth was, Jalen didn't know a thing about David and Malia. No one did.
David knew Jalen had no interest whatsoever in Malia in that way, but he was still annoyingly possessive and protective when it came to herâor anyone that he cared about for that matter. Even if David took it too far talking shit about Cortney's annoying ass, Jalen would make him stop. It just showed more with Malia because she went through so much shit publicly, especially with her ex-boyfriend Kenneth.
David would always remember when Kenneth practically went crazy, and there was no other way to describe it than saying he was obsessed with Malia. David couldn't take the situation seriously, finding the whole thing laughable, and part of him knew it was because he was selfishly happy it had happened.
Malia ended things with David. There wasn't much to technically end since they'd certainly not been in a relationship, but whatever they did have, she stopped it, and in order to save face, he told her he'd grown bored anywayâwhen truthfully, he could never grow bored of her, how could anyone?
But he didn't dare say that. He figured, secretly hoped, she'd change her mind. He still didn't want a relationship at that time, and definitely didn't want anyone knowing what they'd been doing, but the arrangement they had worked for him.
She had quickly moved on with Anthony Rousso, Arlin's King. That didn't last too long, as he ran off for France. Just as David had expected, and so badly wanted, Malia came back to him.
On the night of August twenty-eighth, two weeks before their junior year began, she came to himâthe same way she had on that same date the year before, when everything between them first began.
The problem was, she didn't come back after that. In fact, she distanced herself once the school year started. Jalen took over as King, David as his right-hand man, and Malia easily claimed the title of Queen. David had been so happy to start that school year. Anthony, Elena, and all the bullshit they brought were gone. It was just David, his best friend, and the girl he finally realized he was in love with.
But while David got to have his best friend by his side, playing games and enjoying their high school year like they should've been, he didn't have the girl. Not the one he wanted.
Malia distanced herselfâfrom him. David had texted her twice to come over, late into the night, and he received no reply. When he joked about her ghosting him after, she had sent him the fakest smile, telling him he had the opportunity to find plenty of other bed buddies now that he was running the games with Jalen.
David didn't want anyone else, though. But he assumed her words meant she did. She wanted someone else, and in order to save face, he told her she was rightâhe did have plenty of other options.
Kenneth Jones transferred to Arlin soon after, and the rest was history. Boy met girl, boy turned weird, and girl had to get a restraining order just to keep him away.
David secretly called it karma. Malia's karma for tossing him aside like that. Damn, did that make him the biggest asshole in the world for feeling so giddy during that time? For being so happy that the one guy Malia publicly claimed as her boyfriend turned out to be a total fucking nutjob?
Jalen had so much as leaped across a table and tried strangling David for implying that. Imagine if he knew how David actually felt? Imagine if he had known exactly what had happened between David and Malia? Or, fucking worse, if he knew what had happened between them last night, after all of that?
Jalen would automatically assume this was bad, and that David would just hurt Malia more than she'd already been in the last seven years they'd all known each other.
And... well, he kind of already had... but that wasn't the fucking point.
Adding Jalen into the mix would complicate things more than they already were, so David prayed to the god his father tried forcing him for years to believe in that Lyndon would keep her goddamn mouth shut.
"Damn, where are you coming from?"
David's eyes found Noah, standing on the opposite end of the hallway in just sweats, a cup of what appeared to be coffee in hand. Danny was standing a few steps behind, lifting and dipping a tea bag in a mug. Both had smirks on their faces.
"Looks like you had a long night," Noah continued, smirk widening as he nodded. "At least one of us got lucky. You should've seen the way your brother embarrassed the fuck out of himself trying to get with some guy."
"Noah!" Danny quickly scolded. "We agreed to keep that private, remember?"
"I was drunk when I said that," Noah countered with a shrug. "Drunk promises never count."
"That's true," David agreed, nodding. "Why'd you strike out, Danny?"
Danny huffed, dipping the tea bag into the mug with frustration. "He wasn't into guys."
"You really need to work on your fucking gaydar," David said while laughing.
While Noah quickly joined in on his laughter, Danny did not look amused. That was until a teasing glint came to his eyes. "Maybe you need to work on yours, too, brother. Let's not forget the time you swore that chick was so into you that you betted money on how fast you could get her number."
Noah raised a brow, clearly intrigued, while David could feel his smile dropping at his brother's words. "Uh..."
"He lost five hundred dollars that night because his gaydar was broken," Danny said while turning to Noah with a smile. "That woman was more into women than you are, and that's saying something."
Noah's cackles filled the air, Danny's own soft laughter following, while David stood thereâpantless and wishing Danny would choke on the small sip of tea he just took.
Then he quickly took back the petty wish, knowing that no matter how aggravating his eighteen-minute older brother was, he still loved that piece of shit, and would give his own life in a heartbeat if it would save him. A big part of that protectiveness for Danny came from their motherâwell, their lack of a mother. The two had an unspoken agreement to take care of each other, because they didn't have their mom there to do it.
Not having his mother in his life probably shaped David into the person he was more than he liked to admit. And it certainly played a big part in why he felt so connected to Malia.
While Jalen hated his parents, he at least had them both. Malia and David each had a parent leave them, and that hurts no matter what. It hurt to know that your parent, the one person that was supposed to be there for you, that was literally obligated to care for you and love you above all else, left and never contacted again. It was fucking shitty, and both he and Malia understood that.
But at least Malia ended up getting a replacement, even if her stepfather seemed like he was a fucking cartoon villainâand judging from Malia being pissed off every time the guy was mentioned, David wondered if maybe he was actually a villain.
Not that he knew any details or that Malia would ever tell him. He joked too much for her. Sometimes he wondered if she was too sensitive or if he just took it too far. Or if things were just so bad that his teasing triggered something deeper for her.
"You wanna go for a run?"
Once again, Noah's voice broke him out of his thoughts. David looked up, noticing Danny had gone into the kitchen. Noah's eyesâthat were so fucking creepily similar to Lyndon'sâwatched him expectantly, waiting for an answer.
"Uh, yeah, sure," David said with a shrug. He didn't feel tired anyway, so why not go for a run and try clearing his mind? At least going with Noah meant he wouldn't have to engage in conversation. "Give me ten minutes and I'll be good to go."
"Cool," Noah replied with a nod, heading to the kitchen. "Meet me in the driveway."
David made his way to his room, dropping his clothes to the floor and searching for something else to throw on. He originally wanted to shower, wash away memories of last night and how stupid he had been.
But that wasn't necessarily true. Sure, he'd been a fucking moron for crossing that line with Malia again, but he didn't really want to forget it. Any of it.
He wondered if she did. If she would wake up and wish it hadn't happened, if she'd immediately regret it. Maybe he could've gotten an answer if he hadn't run off the second he woke up... but with them, staying till the morning was never the case.
They never lingered long enough to talk, to hear how the other felt or what was going through their mind. They took what they came there for, and left. David wondered how different things would've been if they did thatâif they both chose to stay.
Maybe then she'd know that he did care for her, despite how horrible he was at showing it.
Maybe then she'd know how last year on August twenty-eighth, he worried for where she was, how she was coping with that heavy burden he knew she felt whenever that day came. That he worried for how she'd deal with it this year.
Maybe then she'd know that he only kept Dedra around as a reminder that he shouldn't look to Malia. That if he truly wanted to spend the night with someone, he could just call her. If he had stood in bed this morning, maybe then Malia would know that he cut all ties with Dedra right before graduation.
He exited his room, throwing open the door with much more force than necessary. He needed this run more than anything.
It was kind of ironic that Noah was the person who suggested the run David needed, considering how they'd gotten off on the wrong foot. Now, they were cool, and David couldn't help noting how Noah had some similarities to Jalenâwhich is what probably made it easier for David to actually get along with him. It also explained why Danny liked both of them.
David let out a chuckle as he walked down the hall, because even Lyndon's dumb ass saw Jalen and Noah as similar enough to confuse the two for one another.
The masquerade party Jalen threw had been a huge mess for so many reasons, but David would always remember the fallout of Lyndon mistaking the two.
He could still hear Jalen's voice full of such disbelief, and remember him angrily pacing the room the day after the party. I can't believe she actually thinks I would cheat on her, he had shouted, Do I really come across as such an asshole? David had sat up straight, laughed, and said Yeah, you do.
But David knew thatâdespite the fact that Jalen was an assholeâhe wasn't a cheater, and everyone who knew him knew that fact. He was loyal, even when that person didn't deserve his loyalty. David knew Jalen would always have his back, whether he was right or wrong, and he had told him just that once he realized how upset Jalen actually was.
That was the moment David had realized Jalen really did have feelings for Lyndon. That despite how much he denied it, the boy was most likely already in love with her by then.
And so despite how much David hated the idea of them togetherâbecause he was already seeing the effect it was having on his best friendâhe tried offering some advice. Just tell her where the fuck you were, bro. But Jalen had rejected the idea, stubborn as ever to keep his secrets to himself, and David walked out of the roomâknowing that no matter how loyal of a person Jalen was, his own loyalty to himself would be his downfall.
David knew he didn't need to meddle with that relationship anymore, and he knew Cortney didn't need to do much either. He figured Jalen's secrets were going to come between them, and if they didn't, the fact that Lyndon was a total spitfire that Jalen couldn't handle would surely have torn them apart.
And, look at that, David was right. He watched Jalen use the games as a way to cope with his heartbreak over Elena. David could only imagine how his destructive best friend would deal with the heartbreak of Lyndon never coming back to him.
Despite how sure David sounded when talking to Lyndon earlier, he knew that little firecracker was unpredictable as hell. There was a good chance she wouldn't come back to Jalen.
David almost hoped she wouldn't, and wished she'd made it clear by now that she never would. He knew Jalen really did love Lyndon, but they'd already proven that they were horrible for each other, and holding onto hope that they'd end up together would slowly kill Jalen.
The small hope of getting Elena back nearly did, so David couldn't even begin to imagine how waiting for Lyndon to make up her mind would affect him.
The whole thing just proved why relationships and love sucked. Why David could and would never open his heart, even if it was begging himâscreaming for himâto just give it over to Malia.
She already consumed the damn thing wholly, and all of his thoughts along with it, so why not just hand it over and give it a shot?
Because it wouldn't work. Because she hates me.
A pain tugged at his chest, knowing he was to blame for why she felt that way about him. Maybe not back then, when this thing between them first started right before their sophomore year. They were both young and naive, and anyone at the age of fifteen could agree that figuring out your emotions was hardâespecially once sex was involved. But after that? And now?
David had no excuse. He harborded his love for Malia, and let it turn into bitterness and resentment because she didn't reciprocate itâbecause she didn't just automatically assume that he felt this way about her. She'd unknowingly broken his heart, but he slowly began hating her as if she'd done it purposely.
And even now, knowing that she most likely had no clue how he truly felt, David couldn't help still being angry with her.
Being angry was easier than just letting himself want her, than letting himself love her. It always was.
And he figured it always would be.
As he walked down the hall, he wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks or if he really saw Malia at the opposite end.
For the briefest moment, he wanted to walk over. Ask her if they could talk, actually talk. No snark, no teasing, nothing. A real conversation.
But the thought of actually doing thatâof how fucking complicated that'd beâmade him turn around and speedwalk toward the door. He was a few minutes earlier than he told Noah he'd be, but he believed it was safer to wait in an empty driveway than face Malia.
He was acting like a fucking wimp, but oh well. This wasn't the time or place to talk over three years of history with the girl he loved. Especially when he wasn't sure she'd even care to hear a word he said.
Malia's small rejection the first time was the harshest thing he'd feltâit hurt even more than Elena's full out rejection, and she'd gone on to date his best friend right after. David didn't think he could handle Malia flat out telling him to fuck off after he poured his heart out.
And he was pretty sure she would, especially if he decided to tell her he loved her now, after pissing her off beyond belief last night with that comment.
When David got outside, he took in a deep breath, telling himself to just not care. It had worked for him so far, and he watched Jalen care too deeply too many times before to know that was the wrong thing to do.
Fuck, he thought as he stepped onto the outside patio, is it too early for a drink? Because I fucking need one.
"Oh good, you're finally wearing pants."
David looked up from the ground to find Noah beside him, with a sweatband on his forehead. He motioned toward it. "Why the hell are you wearing that shit?"
"To collect my sweat," Noah answered. "Duh."
"I'm not running with you if you're gonna wear that," David told him.
Noah chuckled. "You're not gonna be by me anyway. I'll be miles ahead of you in a matter of seconds."
David raised a brow, wanting to challenge that statement and make a bet on it. But then he thought about it. Noah was known around the school as the fastest runner Arlin's had in years, and he was going to Ohio State for track, so it was probably smarter for David to just take the loss quietly.
"Let me get a headstart, and let's see how fast you can catch up then," David said instead, grinning a little. "I gotta make sure you're good for Ohio. Can't have you tarnishing Arlin's name with shitty running times."
"You could start as early as you want, your ass is still losing," Noah said with the smuggest smile in the world. His eyes flitted over David's shoulder, and the smile dropped. "Actually, take that head start now. I gotta talk to my sister real quick."
David's brows furrowed, before he turned and realized Lyndon was standing in the driveway. There was a suitcase beside her, and an older man who he assumed was her father based on how similar the two looked. Once Noah walked over, and all three were standing side by side, David was a little spooked by the similarities the Princes had.
"You asshole. You weren't gonna say bye?" Noah's loud voice travelled across the lawn. "And after I so graciously wasted my time and cheered you up last night."
David couldn't hear Lyndon's voice or Noah's response after, but whatever he said resulted in his sister punching him in the arm.
"Put my shit in the car," Lyndon said with a huff after.
Noah looked annoyed, but did it anyway, probably as an apology for whatever he said that caused him to get hit. "This is why I won't miss you. Thank god you'll be far away at Brown."
That caught David's attention. Rather than taking the head start in their little race, he walked over to where the twins were. "Brown?"
Lyndon looked over, seeming to have just noticed that he was nearby. She stood quiet.
"Yeah, Brown University," Noah called out while lifting the suitcase. "Lynnie's new home for the next four years. Hallelujah."
"Interesting," David muttered, unable to stop the shit-eating grin from coming to his face at this news.
Lyndon lifted a smaller bag that had been on the floor, and pushed it into Noah's arms the second he finished getting her suitcase into the trunk. "This too. Put it in the backseat, please."
"I'm only doing this one because you actually said please," Noah told her as he took it. "I'm surprised saying it didn't cause you to burst into flames."
She kicked her foot out, but missed her brother by an inch as Noah quickly moved, then headed to the side of the car while saying, "Your daughter is fucking nuts."
David assumed he was talking to their father, who had been standing at the side of the car rearranging more luggage. "Where are you going?" he asked once he realized a long trip had to have been planned.
"Um, my dad's got a job in Miami, so I decided to go with him for the summer," Lyndon explained, keeping her eyes on her father and brother trying to fit everything in the car.
"You'll be gone the whole summer, then?" David asked.
Lyndon nodded, then finally brought her eyes to his. "Don't miss me too much, Davey."
He smiled. "Oh, I won't."
Jalen definitely fucking will though, and now I gotta deal with that bullshit.
"I'm assuming you'll be back just in time for orientation," David said while trying to fight off the grin coming to his face, and failing miserably.
Lyndon began to nod again, but as her eyes took in what was no doubt a full-on grin, she looked weary. "Yeah?"
David fully faced her now. "You should start getting used to seeing me sneaking out of rooms half dressed."
"The fuck?" she asked while scrunching her nose.
"You're going to Brown, right?"
She looked around, as if struggling to understand why that mattered. David's smirk increased at her confusion, and even more so when it seemed to finally click and her eyes widened in horror.
"Oh hell no!"
Both her father and brother turned at her shout, but David kept grinning. "And you're dorming, right?"
Lyndon shook her head, but he knew it wasn't because of his question. "I can't believe my fucking luck!"
"Yup," David said, unable to stop a laugh from coming out. "Looks like we're spending the next four years together."
"Oh Lord," she called out, tilting her head back and looking to the sky. "Strike me now!"
Her dramatics had him full on laughing, almost knelt over from hysterics. Surprisingly, he wasn't even upset at this turn of events.
He flung his arm over her shoulder, pulling her close despite her muttered protests. "Maybe we could even end up getting an apartment together? It's always harder to score some ass when you gotta share your dorm room. Or so I heard. Guess we'll know for sure in the fall."
"Ugh," Lyndon said in disgust, trying to shove his arm off of her. "That is never happening."
Her elbow dug into his ribs after, successfully getting him away from her, but the pain couldn't stop his laughter at the thought of actually rooming with Lyndon fucking Prince.
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," he told her sarcastically.
But as she continued shoving him, David got the feeling that maybe there was some truth to his words. Who fucking knew.
"Wait, you two are both going to Brown?" Noah asked as he walked closer, laughter coming seconds later. "Oh shit. That's fucking funny."
Their father came closer too, sticking out his hand to David despite having one child laughing hysterically while the other looked like she wanted to throw up. "I'm Nicholas, by the way. Noah and Lyndon's father."
"I'm David," he replied, taking the older man's hand and shaking. "Your daughter and I are like best friends."
Nicholas chuckled. "Yeah, I can definitely see that."
Lyndon groaned in annoyance again. "No, we are not. And we never will be. Let's get the hell out of here. Now I know I really need to get away." Her eyes found David's. "I especially need time away from you. Ugh."
Their father walked back to the driver's side, hugging his son goodbye and sending a wave David's way. He reciprocated, then turned back to Lyndon. He watched as Noah pulled her in for a hug, and then hardly clapped her on the back before pulling away.
David jokingly raised his arms up, as if asking Lyndon for a hug. She rolled her eyes. "No way. I can already tell that you're going to cling to me like shit on a shovel once we're at Brown, just to piss me off."
He wasn't too sure exactly how spending the next four years at the same school as Lyndon would go, but the possibilities caused another chuckle to come from him as he watched her turn toward the car.
"Oh, you're right," he called out as he headed down the driveway, ready to get his much needed run started. "And you're gonna love it, Boulevard."
THE END