Happiness and Other Illusions {Carpe Vitam Book One}

1-One Boy

Ashton VanderRoma's eyes snapped open. He tried to sit up, but found that he was unable to move anything below his neck. His entire body was completely numb. His head hit the pillow again, and he groaned. Why did Marcie always insist on cuddling when they slept together? It was as if if she thought he'd try to sneak off if she didn't hold him hostage. He probably would have, but that was beside the point.

As he struggled to free himself without waking his girlfriend, Ashton heard a chirp coming from his jeans. His phone must've been what had woken him in the first place. It looked as if he would have to do this quickly and painlessly. He hoped.

He braced himself, then moved her arms and slithered out of bed as smoothly as possible. Luckily for him, she didn't stir. Ashton shook out his arms and legs, waiting for the feeling to return to his extremities. It was a painful sixty seconds, but he was eventually able to move his fingers and toes.

His phone chirped again as he fumbled around in the semi-dark, looking for his pants. He finally located them on the floor by the foot of his bed. Finally, he was able to read his message.

I need to see you. Can you come over?

Ashton grinned. It had been about five weeks since he'd last heard from Lisa Grace. He was starting to think that she'd forgotten about him, but it looked like she couldn't get enough of him after all. Of course, he couldn't get enough of her, either. Or any other girl, for that matter. His peers might have been all about finding love and getting serious with one person, but that just wasn't his style. He was young and in his prime, so why shouldn't he live it up before he graduated and had to get a real job and crap?

Although, he wasn't sure if a 'real job' was even an option for him. His father had pretty high standards when it came to which one of his three sons would eventually take the reigns of his company. Ricky hadn't wanted it, choosing to become a cop instead. Stuart favored his youngest son, Dominic, which meant that Ash probably wouldn't be taking over VanderRoma Industries. And since they didn't offer any legal or non-disgusting jobs that involved sleeping with girls, he had no other career options.

He glanced back at Marcie, who was still fast asleep. He almost felt bad. He had told her they were dating exclusively, but if he were being honest with himself, he wasn't into that. Sure, it was fun and everything, and the sex was great, but he just wasn't ready for any commitment more complicated than lunch. He just needed to find the right way to tell her. If his breakups with Sapphire, Sienna, or Reed had taught him anything, it was that things had to be handled delicately. Plus, he didn't really want to hurt Marcie. She was a great girl, just not the girl for him.

His phone beeped again, interrupting his thoughts. Are you awake? read the new message. He had better get to Lisa's. It wouldn't take long to pleasure her -and himself- and be back before Marcie had time to miss him. He informed Lisa that he was on his way, then proceeded to dress as quickly and quietly as possible. He grabbed his favorite sneakers out of the closet and his car keys off the dresser, then crept toward the door.

"Where are you going? It's barely light out."

He froze. Shit.

Plastering on his most charming smile, he turned to face her.

"Morning, sunshine. I was hoping to be back before you woke up. I was going to surprise you with breakfast."

Marcie beamed. "Really? What's the occasion?"

"We're the occasion. It's summer vacation, and we have nothing to do but celebrate us."

"But it's been summer vacation for a month already."

"Which is why we need to start enjoying it, and we'll start as soon as I get back. Oh, and if you hear my parents wake up, just go out the door in Nick's room and down the stairs. They don't exactly approve of me having you stay over."