Page 46 of Vince
“Sounds good.” I hear as I type.
Me: Meet us at the North Entrance. I’ll wait just outside the doors for you.
Sydney: Sounds good. See you then.
She must have already been able to see me because the next thing I know, someone’s jumping on my back and climbing me like a spider monkey. Just as I’m about to pitch a fit, her delicious scent and boisterous cheer puts me at ease.
“I can’t believe we pulled it off for two years in a row. Today has been the best day… ever!” she shouts in my ear and squeezes me tight. Before Ryan and I can say anything, she continues to shout, “I’ve watched my best friend get engaged, and we’ve won the national championship! The best part is… Now I get to spend time with you!” I feel her release her hold on my neck to kiss my cheek from behind.
Once we’re outside, I continue carrying her on my back. I’ve got her legs hoisted under my arms, and she’s not going anywhere soon if I can help it. As we get a bit further from the noise of the crowd, I look over to Ryan who’s as happy as we are. “Ryan, you remember Sydney, right?”
Ryan’s chuckle can be heard over the crowd around us. “Yeah. Of course. Nice to see you again, Sydney.”
“Hi, Ryan,” Sydney says with a wave from my back. She’s locked her legs around my waist and has settled in for a ride to our vehicle apparently. I’ve never seen this carefree side of Sydney, but once again, I’m not complaining. Her energy is like a live wire coursing through me and in this moment, I’m just as amped up as she is.
By the time we walk the few blocks to Ryan’s SUV, we’ve chatted about the best plays of the game. Sydney could be a sports commentator for as well versed she is in the basketball plays. I have to admit I’m really impressed. I thought I was an avid fan, but after watching her tonight, I’m fairly certain she has me beat—hands down.
After Ryan drops us at Sydney’s apartment, she takes my hand and leads me up the stairs. Her excitement over the events of today shows in every bounce in her step. She’s freaking adorable when she’s excited, and I can’t help but show my enthusiasm with her.
Once inside her apartment, it’s unusually quiet for someone with roommates. “Where is everyone?” I ask in curiosity.
“Oh… Abby and Chloe are celebrating with Drew and his friends.”
Knowing she’s such an avid fan, I have to ask, “Why didn’t you join them?”
Sydney cocks her head to the side as if I should know the answer, but her voice comes out as a singsong. “Oh… You know… there’s this guy… and I kinda had plans with him…”
Reaching for her hips, I pull her close to me. “I don’t want to get in the way of you celebrating with your friends. Today’s been pretty eventful for them.”
“I know… but we’ve celebrated all day, and I’m kinda ready to be away from the crowd. And besides… how often do we both get an entire night where we don’t have to be anywhere the next day?” Her tone turns suggestive, and my cock stirs to attention as she snakes her arms around my neck.
What the fuck… she’s barely touching and has this effect on me?
Slow the fuck down,Vince… slow it down…
Somehow… I manage to find words. “True. Julia’s sleeping over at a friend’s house, and I would much rather find a way to celebrate with you.”
I kiss her once, letting my tongue slide in to tangle with hers. Damn. She tastes of fresh mint and all that is Sydney. I swear her taste could be syphoned as a drug, and I’d be an addict in an instant. Instead of letting myself get lost in her, I pull back to continue our conversation. I need to make sure she knows this is not all I came over for.
“Soo…” I draw out as I kiss her once more before asking, “how was the rest of your day?”
This little distraction does the trick, and my body gets a much-needed reprieve from overstimulation. I discreetly adjust her lingering effects so I can better focus on her actual response, rather than my constant need for her.
“Drew was just perfect,” Sydney gushes. “Abby had no idea we were all in on it. I met her parents at their hotel early this morning and drove them to the diner. We waited around the corner to get the text that the parking lot was clear. He arranged with Vanessa to seat them so she couldn’t see us enter. Chloe actually sneezed right as we entered… and I swear Abby almost caught us, but Drew was perfect with his distraction.” Sydney lets out a huge sigh of relief, and I can clearly picture how grave the situation was in my mind.
Shaking her head at the thought of his plans being ruined, she continues, “Once we were settled, we held our menus to keep our faces hidden in case she looked our way. Chloe and I managed to get the entire experience on video. I can’t wait to share it with Abby later. She had absolutely no idea what was in store for her… but obviously you know what her answer was.”
“Yeah.” I nod in agreement. “Vanessa told me about it when she came home this afternoon. Apparently, Drew’s set the bar really high in terms of proposals. I’m not sure if any guy will ever live up to it… well, at least according to Van. She’s pretty picky, so I kinda pity the guy who tries to win her heart.”
“Vincent Daniel Larson. You shouldn’t be so hard on your sister,” Sydney scolds me, and I can’t help it. I laugh.
Waving my hands like a white flag for truce, I quickly explain, “Seriously, Syd. Vanessa’s had the worst luck with guys… well, one guy in particular…” I trail off as I try to figure out how to explain things without going into too much detail. Though I guess raising Jules as a single mom has taken her attention in recent years… so maybe it’s explanation enough. “The guy who got her pregnant was a piece of work. Thank God, my parents intervened to keep him out of the picture.”
“That had to be rough…” Sydney drops the end of her thought. “My dad was never around, and I’ve seen it close up what it’s like to be a single mom—well, at least from the kid’s perspective. If it hadn’t been for Grams, I’m not sure what type of person I would’ve become.”
“There’s a lot to Vanessa’s story I’d rather not get into now… All I can say is that I’m thankful I’m here to support her and help Jules every way I can. But know… Van’s pretty guarded, and it will take one hell of a man to come in and sweep her off her feet. I’m sure she’ll put him through the wringer before he makes the cut.”
“And you won’t be the least bit protective… I’m sure,” she teases.
