Page 22 of His Stubborn Girl

Torrin

“S-s-so, how come S-s-sophie c-c-couldn’t make it?” Willow asks, taking the bags from my hands and carrying them into her kitchen. I slip off my shoes before following her in.

“She’s on a date with Travis.” Which I’m still shocked about. After everything that happened to her, she said she’d sworn off dating. But somehow, Travis has managed to slip through the cracks, and she’s agreed to go out with him. He’s a nice guy though. He’s different from a lot of the other jocks. And if he’s friends with my brother, then he has to be a good seed.

“T-t-travis the q-q-quarterback Travis?”

Her stutter is a little worse tonight, but she texted that she was nervous about her test on Friday, so that’s probably the reason. When we first met, she could barely speak to me. But now, she hardly struggles when it’s just us girls hanging out. It makes me feel good to know I’ve earned her trust. The three of us, including Soph, have become the three musketeers.

“Yep. The one and only Travis.” I nod. I start unloading the groceries, pulling out the butter so it can start warming to room temperature.

“W-w-wow. He’s l-l-like…”

She doesn’t have to finish her statement. I know. “He’s like every girl’s fantasy.” The star quarterback. Totally hot. King of the campus. And he’s smart. And nice. Not to mention the fact that he has an incredible career ahead of him. Millions in the making. He’s the perfect catch.

Except there’s someone else who’s caught my undivided attention. He’s tall with dark hair, eyes that peer right into my soul and know exactly what I’m feeling. He can be grumpy at times. And bossy at others. But most days he’s sweet and kind and makes me laugh until my sides hurt. He makes me feel safe. And makes me feel like home. And then…there’s that mouth. The way he spoke to me last night. The dirty things he said. The way he kissed me. I’ve never been so turned on in my life.

But he thinks it was a mistake. He regrets what happened between us. All day I waited for the regret and guilt to creep in, but it never came. I was giddy and excited. Waiting on bated breath for him to call. I was hoping he’d tell me he couldn’t stop thinking about me, that he wanted to see me again tonight. And then his text came, and I was praying he was asking me to cancel so we could do what we did in person. But he only wanted to get together to give me another lecture about us forgetting this ever happened.

“All r-r-right. Should w-w-we get to b-b-baking?” Willow asks.

Yes, I need a break from my thoughts. I’m getting a headache from them spinning round and round, making me dizzy with confusion. Right versus wrong. Desire versus what’s morally correct. Nothing sways the feelings.

She walks over to preheat the oven, and I open my phone, flipping through my music, searching for the perfect baking playlist. Something loud enough to drown out the thoughts.

“Hey, Torre. H-h-how many b-b-batches of cookies d-d-do we want t-t-to bake?” She pulls out a stack of mixing bowls.

“Four? That way we can share with the guys and Sophie.” And I can eat my feelings to my little heart’s content.

Baking cookies has always been one of my favorite things to do. Every Christmas we do it as a family. Putting on Christmas music and spending the day making batch after batch. Lukas and I would always compete for the best decorated cookie. But it’s been a while since he’s been home to join us. I need to stop thinking about him.

“Hey, babe!”

Brennon’s voice startles us both, and I grip the countertop. Neither of us heard the door open over the music.

“Hope you don’t mind us stopping by.” I turn at the wordusand see he’s not alone. My stomach zings with nervous little flutters as Lukas walks in behind him. “We thought you all might be hungry, so we brought you some dinner to go along with those cookies you’re making.” He holds up two bags of food.

“Oh, that was so sweet of you. Thank you.” Willow smiles at her boyfriend, her words completely smooth. He’s the only person she never has a problem speaking to. He makes her feel safe and calm. Proves just how special their relationship is. Me, on the other hand, I feel like if I open my mouth right now, I’ll be stuttering.

“H-h-hi, L-l-luke.” She turns a shy smile on my brother. I echo her nervousness tenfold.

“Hey, Willow! Hope you like Chinese food.”

It’s one of my favorites, and Luke knows that. This is the part where he butters me up just to break my crushing little heart. My appetite has now been obliterated.

“Here. I’ll take the food and get us some drinks.” Brennon grabs the bags and sets them on the kitchen table.

“Hey, sis.” Lukas comes over and gives me an awkward shoulder hug. He’s stiff, and it’s making me tense. “So, what are you girls up to?”

“We’re making cookies.” I don’t understand why he’s here. It’s not like we can discuss what happened in front of our friends. But I’m guessing he came to sway me to leave with him. “I told you I had plans with Willow. It’s supposed to be a girls’ night.” My tone is stiff, but I need him to leave. I don’t want to do this right now. Whatever he has to say, I don’t want to hear it.

“Call it payback for crashing my party.” He smirks.

I grumble as he takes a seat at the table, pulling out little white containers from the bag. He holds one out to me. “Got you your favorite. Kung Pao with extra nuts.”

I swallow hard as my mind gets hung up on his last word. Now I’m thinking about my brother’s nuts. His cock was so hard and big. I wonder if his sac measures up. And this is why I need him to go.

“Thank you.” I take it and sit at the counter, needing some space from him. I open up my container and quickly take a bite so I can blame the redness in my cheeks on the spiciness of the food. Maybe they’ll leave after dinner. “It has a kick.” I play off my nerves. The bite sinks into my stomach, settling right next to the dread. He doesn’t want things to happen between us, and I’m sure he’s here to tell me as much.

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