Sidelined (The QB Bad Boy and Me)

(36) "I was just asking,"

"Who was that?" Drayton comes sauntering out of his bathroom with a small bag of toiletries, carelessly tossing them into his duffle while I stare at the cellphone in my hand, having just ended one of the best phone calls I've ever received.

"It was CalArts!" I grit my teeth and squeal with excitement. The little happy dance I break into earns me a pleading expression from Drayton who sidles up to me with his arms widespread.

"Well?" His deep green eyes inspect me with impatient curiosity.

"I got an audition!" I throw my arms around his neck and fall into his embrace. He doesn't hesitate to engulf me in an almost suffocating hold. His affection once again shines through his actions. "It's a few days after we get back from Miami!"

"Baby," he mumbles into the crook of my neck, his hot breath tickling my skin and not failing to spark the need for him that never dies. "I'm so proud of you." He sets me on my feet but his widespread hands keep an unwavering grip on my hips. "So you're going back to California."

"Yeah." I nod with a grin that couldn't be smothered, even if I attempted to hide the overwhelming joy. Things have never felt more in place and I'm so fûcking pleased. "Just overnight. I think Nathan said he wanted to come if I landed an audition. But eeeek. It's one step closer."

"You're gonna nail it babe." Drayton's confidence in me isn't forced or fake. It's genuine, I've become so familiar with the tone of voice he uses when he's trying to deliver his speech with sincerity. It's arousing to say the least.

Tomorrow we're leaving for our spring break in Miami. Over the last month and a half I've experienced the highs of being in a relationship with Drayton Lahey. I've been spoiled beyond belief, wined and dined at some of the fanciest restaurants in Castle Pines. I've been kept thoroughly satisfied in all aspects of our physical relationship, not that I'd have ever been worried about that being an issue. Our attraction to each other is as strong as it was at the beginning.

Drayton takes his role as a doting boyfriend with absolute conviction. He's attentive and sweet, he constantly checks up on me and when he experienced - for the first time - the way I fall apart during the week I ride the crimson wave, he'd been extremely patient. Tucking me into his bed, supplying me with an unhealthy amount of sweets and take out and giving me regular back rubs. It's hard to believe that this is my life. It's almost too good to be true and I keep waiting for the punch line to knock me over, dispelling any happiness I'd managed to wrangle.

Just last week he'd taken me by total surprise and announced there was a two thousand dollar store credit waiting for me to use at a large hip clothing store in the mall. He told me I should get whatever I wanted for our trip to Miami and I couldn't believe he'd so casually throw two thousand dollars into a clothing spree for me. I'd been adamant on denying the gift at first, but he let me know that there was no way I could get the cash back so I had to spend it. I'd basically come home with enough clothes to restock my entire closet. It was nice to be able to update the wardrobe but I still felt that it was far too much. I'm with Drayton for his personality and his charm. His humour and hilarity. Not because he's able to afford such outrageous spends on a whim.

"We should celebrate?" he suggests, throwing his duffle on to the floor. He wraps a hand around my wrist and pulls me down on to the bed, his firm muscled body catching me on impact. I don't think I'll ever get used to how incredibly good looking he is.

"We don't need to celebrate." I rest the side of my head on his chest and listen to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "We can celebrate if I actually get in."