Double Threats Forever: Double Threat Series, #4

By Julie Prestsater

High school eventually comes to its end. After three years of broken hearts, parties, exams and fights, Megan Miller and her crew, have finally made it to their senior year. If they can manage to keep drama out of their personal lives, they are ready to rule Carver High, and show what the true meaning of being a double threat is. But, life is never that simple is it?

What should have been the year of prom, good memories and more is turning out to be one of unexpected struggles. Meggie starts to crumble under the pressure of deciding what path her future should take. Her life has revolved around her friends for so long. Can she endure her final year and make wise choices that allow her to become independent and secure her hopes for forever with Alex?  Are the two possible? Will she be able to choose?

 

(This book has mature content that is intended for older young adult audiences.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Prestsater
• Release date: Dec 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781497721777

Julie Prestsater

Julie Prestsater is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes both adult and young adult romantic comedies. Julie is a high school educator by day, and a writer by night. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her family, reading, and watching football. As a reading intervention specialist, she prides herself on matching her students with great books to encourage them to become life-long readers. The Double Threat Series So I'm a Double Threat, #1 Double Threat My Bleep, #2 Double Time, #3 Double Threats Forever, #4 The Double Threat Box Set Before Someday- Part One: The Wait, #5 Before Someday- Part Two: The Moment, #6 Before Someday- Part Three: The Hold, #7 Before Someday- Part Four: The Forever, #8 Before Someday- Alex Tells All, #9 The One for Me- Ben's Story (coming someday in the future) Losing It: A Collection of V-Cards The Against The Wall Series Against The Wall, #1 Between The Sheets, #2 Straddling The Edge, #3 Playing Chase, #4 Against The Wall: The Complete Series The Fire Me Up Series Tell Me You Love Me, #1 Tell Me You Want Me, #2 Hearts Afire. #1 (Fire Me Up-Hope Falls crossover) Love Remains, #2 (Fire Me Up-Hope Falls crossover) Tell Me You Need Me, #3 (Coming later on) Tell Me It's Forever, #4 (Coming down the road) Standalone Titles Without You More Than a Friend Request You Act So White Visit Julie on Twitter (@juliepbooks), Facebook.com/juliepbooks (search for Double Threat Novels or Julie Prestsater --send her a friend request), and check out her website (juliepbooks.com).

Book preview

Chapter One

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Hey, you, I say, with an audible exhale of air after running to grab my phone.

Hey. The deep tone of Alex’s voice is like a sexy love song being sung just for me. Just wanted to let you know I finally made it.

Great.

"Me and the guys are gonna order some take out and then slowly unpack for the rest of the night."

I flop back on my bed, my hair wrapped in a towel with another circling my damp body. Finally. Glad you made it safely. But take your time and relax after your long-ass drive. You have the whole year to get settled. The poor guy is probably beat. He left yesterday, but had to make two pit stops to pick up his roommates—Jesse from Fresno, who he’s lived with for the last two years, and Esteban from Salinas. Esteban’s mom stuffed them with a buffet of homemade Mexican food when he and Jesse arrived, so they decided to stay the night there, and got a late start this morning. When he called last night, they were all sitting around a fire listening to his roomie’s family sing Spanish tunes. It sounded like a big party and I was happy he was having a good time. I’m grateful he has cool roommates. I know he’s still hurting from saying goodbye to Ben. We all are.

Maybe next year, you’ll be up here getting settled...with me. My heart speeds up at the thought, and my brain overflows with images of Alex and me living in the same city again. In the same apartment. Could we? Hey, Megan. Stop overthinking and beating the idea to death in that crazy head of yours.

"I was not beating it to death."

If I heard you think any louder, it would be like I was sitting right next to you.

My eyes roll back, and I let out a sigh. Whatever. Didn’t you say you have to unpack?

A breathy chuckle comes through the phone, making me smile. As always. Yeah, and you have a party to get ready for. I look down at my towel. Can’t go in this. I have less than an hour now to pull something together before the crew stops by to get me. I can’t believe you’re a senior this year. You’re finally gonna graduate. I wish I was a senior again with you.

Me too.

All right. I’m gonna get going. Have fun tonight. Be safe.

Sure thing, Dad. I love it when Alex gets that concerned tone in his voice.

Don’t be a smartass. I’m serious.

I know you are, I say through a little laugh. Hey, I gotta go. Either that or I’m going to the party with wet hair dressed in my birthday suit.

Don’t joke like that, Meggie, or you’re going to have to stay on the phone and talk dirty to me.

Easy, boy. We’ll have to save that for when we have more time.

You overestimate me. I could be done in two minutes just thinking about you being ‘wet.’

Bye, Alex.

Bye, Meg. Miss you, already.

Miss you, too.

I decide on wearing a pair of dark jean shorts, a hot pink tank, and black strappy sandals. Since I’m running low on time, I pump a handful of mousse in my hair, squirt it with some stiffening hair spray, and hit it with the blow dryer for about five minutes. The result is a curly, hard mess. But, who cares? We’re going to Josh’s house. It’s not like I need to get all dolled up for him, or any other guy for that matter. I’m not looking.

I may not be on the prowl this year, but I’m also not going to run if someone finds me. Alex and I had another talk and nothing has changed. We’re still not in a real relationship, technically. I’m free. He’s free. We’ll do as we please. But, most importantly, we’re not going to share the gory details about our love lives with other people, with each other.

I’d like to think this is the mature thing to do. Because a long distance relationship between a hot college guy and a cute high school girl just doesn’t seem to make any sense. No matter how much we love each other. And we do. A lot.

Dominic and Steph swing by to get me before we scoop up Keesha. I don’t know why we bothered getting our drivers’ licenses over the summer. I don’t have anything to drive. Keesha doesn’t, either. Steph has a car, but does she use it? No. She’d rather let Dom taxi us around. Not that I’m complaining. It is pretty convenient and he doesn’t mind.

You coming? Steph says, leaning over the side of Dom’s new used Jeep Wrangler, when we get to Josh’s. It totally suits him. Big truck for a big guy.

I swipe my hair from my eyes, and scrub my hands over my face. I’m glad I didn’t style my hair after all. It would’ve been trashed by the time we got here. Instead, it probably looks the same as when we left. I don’t know if that should make me feel any better. It feels like a big mop flopping on my head.

We’re not the first to arrive. The place is packed and it’s only eight o’clock. I guess everyone got off to a head start. I recognize everyone from our ASB class—the typical party crowd. If we can plan events for school, we sure as hell can plan a raging party as long as someone’s parents are out of town, which is often the case with Josh’s family.

I can’t believe we’re going to a party. I’m so nervous, I hear as a group of girls pass by. Aww. That was so me three years ago. I wonder if they’re already crushing on older guys. What am I thinking? Of course they are. I have to stop myself from tapping them on the shoulder and asking. Although, maybe I should. I could help them. Nah. Then some poor little girl will be in the same shoes I am in, her senior year. Which, is not so fun. If they’re smart, they’ll stick to guys their own age.

We make our way into Josh’s house, stopping to hug everyone along the way. I wouldn’t consider any of these people my close friends, but we’re friendly enough at school and to party with. Otherwise, it would just be me, Keesh, Steph, Dom, Josh, Travis, and Andi for the year. As appealing as that sounds, chillin’ with the crowds is a must our senior year.

We need to experience it all.

Like drinking.

Lots of drinking.

The Megster is here, come drink a beer, Josh shouts, waving me over with a beer in one hand and a pen in the other. He throws his arms around me, lifting me off the floor in a tight squeeze. It’s about time you got here. I’m already fucked up.

I can see that, I tell him.

You need to slow the hell down, Keesh scolds him.

All right, all right, he says, nodding his head. You guys take over for me. He hands me his can of beer and tosses one to the girls and Dom. Then he pushes the pen in my hand. You ready?

For what? Are we going to write in your diary? I ask.

No, dummy. We’re shotgunning beers. He points to Eric, who winks at me before plunging a pen into the bottom of a beer, and cracking the tab open as he chugs the drink from the punctured hole.

That doesn’t look like fun.

Oh, stop being a wimp. I’ll do it. Keesh snatches the pen from my hand, and before I can blink she’s sucking down her own can of brew. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand when she’s done before letting out a manly belch.

What the hell, I’m in. Steph glances at Dom, who seems amused by this whole thing. She’s not as quick as Keesha. She practices first, pretending to punch the hole and holding the can to her mouth before pulling the tab. Okay, I think I got it.

And whoosh, the beer flows partly into her mouth while the rest streams down her chin and neck. Nope. She would not win a beer-chugging contest. Dom hands her a few paper towels and she sops up the mess all over her face. That wasn’t so bad. You’re next, Meggie.

She passes the pen back to me, and I roll it back and forth in my fingers, looking down at the beer in my other hand. I haven’t chugged a beer since my first high school party. It was a beer bong contest that time. And I wanted to win to show Alex I could keep up with the older crowd. Now, I am the older crowd and this seems silly, yet insanely fun. So, why the hell not?

Let’s get this party started.

Dude, you guys are wasted! Andi yells over the music, when she and Travis find us dancing in Josh’s backyard. They’re way late for this shindig, but whatever. 

What makes you think that? I tell her swaying my hips to the beat. C’mon, get your freak on with us. Wiggle that little booty. She shakes her head with a laugh. Her arms are like wet noodles when I lift them to get her moving. Fine. Trav, dance with me. I know you can shake that ass of yours. Boy, do I. He can dance. There were many times when I thought I was on fire dancing with my ass in his lap and his hands all over my body. That was a long time ago. He doesn’t turn up the heat for me, anymore. That’s all Andi. I want her to feel that, since I can’t. My man is over four hundred miles away, and sneaking home right now to talk dirty to him is starting to sound really enticing.

Travis puts his hands up, shakes his hips a little, and scoots closer to Andi. Her face flushes all shades of pink as he takes her hands and moves her petite frame with the music. Watching them all cute and cuddly kills my buzz.

Let’s go get another drink. I grab Keesh’s hand, and lead her back into the kitchen.

Watching them all year is seriously gonna drive me mad, Keesh says, filling a shot glass with some amber colored liquid.

Yeah, between Andi and Travis, and Dom and Steph, I’m gonna feel like an old maid. I want someone to dance freaky with, I whine.

Josh tosses an arm around each of us. Ask and you shall receive. I’ll take one for the team and freak you so hard, Alex will feel it all the way in Berkeley.

Keesh spits out her shot, spraying the people across the bar, and I can’t stop laughing. Who needs a drink when we have Josh for pure entertainment?

I’m still trying to catch my breath when I notice the younger girls from earlier. One of them keeps glancing over at Josh even though she is trying really hard not to. Every time he moves, she looks up to follow his steps. One of her friends looks annoyed while the other looks scared. But she’s a lovesick puppy dog with pouting lips, big eyes and lashes. She’s really cute. And Josh doesn’t have anything going.

I really shouldn’t do this. Look how things turned out for me and Alex.

I’ll be right back, I tell my friends. I can’t help myself. 

I make a beeline for the freshmen, and chatter picks up between them as I get closer.

Hey, girls.

Chapter Two

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Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry, the lovesick girl says. She’s a lot prettier up close. Her eyes are a light shade of brown, and her lashes are so sickeningly long and thick she could do a cosmetic commercial and not have to wear fake ones. They make me want to pluck them out and glue them to my own eyelids.

For what? I take a sip of my drink, a beer I snagged off the counter on my way over.

I didn’t mean to stare at your boyfriend. My boyfriend? It takes a second for me to realize she thinks Josh is my guy. He’s just really cute. And I love watching him play baseball. He’s like my own high school version of Andre Ethier.

Who’s that?

She grimaces like I’ve offended her in some way. Only like the hottest right fielder in major league baseball.

Oh, okay. Sorry. So, what grade are you in? And how does she know he plays ball? The season hasn’t started yet.

She scrunches her face, seemingly embarrassed to say. And it’s cute. I just want to pick her up and put her in my pocket. We’re going to be freshmen this year. Her friends nod repeatedly, smiles plastered to their faces.

So, when did you see him play?

Oh, we went to all the home games for the last two years. Shayna’s been obsessed with him from the first time she saw him pitch a no-hitter. Our parents wouldn’t let us go to football games because they’re at night, but baseball games are played after school. So we’d go and hang out at the field, the other girl explains.

So you’re Shayna? I hold out my hand, and she takes it. I gesture at the other two. And you are? They tell me their names are Sophie and Sasha. Cute.

What’s cute? Shayna asks.

Your names. They all start with S. I take a long pull of my beer. So, you have a thing for Josh? Wanna meet him?

Her eyes bug out of her head like a sci-fi character, and her cheeks flush even more so than Andi’s do all the time. That would be weird, don’t you think?

"Well, you are in his house. How weird could it be? I can’t believe your parents won’t let you go to a football game, but they’ll let you go to a party at a guy’s house without any supervision."

Sasha puts her hands up. What they don’t know won’t hurt them. I like these girls. They’re the younger versions of me, Keesh, and Steph.

I scan the house looking for my hot baseball-throwing friend. Thinking of Josh as hot makes me laugh inside. If this girl only knew what a dork he is...she probably wouldn’t care. She’d eat it up. And that’s just what he needs.

The goober is sucking down Jell-O shots with Eric and Travis. He’s playing around. Tonguing the clear plastic, licking around the rim and jutting it in and out of the cup. Sicko. Maybe I should just tell Shayna and her friends to run. I look over at her and notice she’s gazing in his direction with stars in her eyes. She’s a goner. No amount of warning from me will help.

Joshie! I yell. He looks over at the sound of his name and I wave him over. Like a little kid, he bounces our way.

What’s up, baby cakes? Oh goodness. He’s really tore the eff up. Just kidding, Megster. Stop giving me the evil eye. Never mind. He’s good.

Whatever, dork. I want you to meet my new friends. His eyebrows arch and a smile spreads across his mouth, as his eyes take in the three girls. His gaze fixates on Shayna as I introduce them. Shay is a fan of yours. She even saw that game freshmen year when you kicked ass.

The no-hitter? He’s definitely interested.

She nods, smiling from ear to ear. She’s obviously incapable of speech at the moment. Reminds me of someone I know. Alex still gets me tongue-tied to this very day.

Yeah, she’s a total baseball fan. You two chat. I’m gonna go dance with Sasha and Sophie.

I drop my brew in a trash can on our way out of the house. Let’s dance, girls. They look at me like I’m crazy, but start to bust a move anyway. I position myself so I can see Josh and Shayna through a window. He already has her laughing. She’s cracking up so much she’s actually wiping her eyes. Yay. There’s my good deed for the year.

Eric, my ex-boyfriend-slash-friend dances his way towards us. Another guy from our ASB class follows. I give him a nod in the girls’ direction and try my best at a wink. He smiles taking my hint. Cool. That’s two good deeds. I’m on a roll.

I’m done drinking, so I dip my hand in a cooler full of ice and dig out a bottle of water. Then, I go into the garage to hide from the party goers. I find Andi and Keesh watching a movie. Travis, Steph, and Dom are right behind me.

Hiding out in here, girls? I ask.

Yeah, I’m just not feelin’ it tonight, Keesh says, kicking off her shoes and tucking her feet underneath her.

Me either. I tried the whole ‘fake it to make it’ thing when we got here. But that didn’t last long. I sigh, relaxing into the soft cushy sofa.

There’s not much eye candy out there, either. It might not have been so bad if we could gawk at some hot guys, Keesh says.

We’ve known these guys too long for them to be hot anymore. I sigh as I sink lower into the sofa. Except for Colin. I never get tired of looking at him. If I was looking, I might shake my ass his way.

It wouldn’t do anything for him, Travis says through a chuckle. There’s a reason they call him Dead Meat.

What a nickname. Why? I ask. Keesh laughs, and so does Steph. I throw up my hands. Did I miss something?

That guy has been smoking weed for so long his wang has no twang in it anymore.

I narrow my eyes at Trav. Excuse me?

His helmet head is at first and goal, and he can’t make a touchdown.

Huh? I’m confused.

Andi smacks her hand against her forehead. Dude, and you guys think I’m the innocent one. Meggie, the guy can’t keep it up. His pecker is like a wet noodle when it should be hard as a rock.

Oh. My eyes widen. And, why do we all know this?

Thelma, Travis adds, like the answer is an obvious one. If the school’s go-to sexpert can’t get the dude to the finish line, then you know he’s hit one too many bongs. She actually gave him the nickname.

Dead Meat? I ask for confirmation.

Yes, he says. I don’t know about you, Dom, but if I knew smoking the ganja was going to make my dick defective, I’d quit that shit in an instant. No questions asked. I like my boners too much.

Dom squirms next to Steph, grabbing his crotch. I’m with you, bro. 

All righty, then, Steph says, obviously ready to change the direction of our conversation. I know Ben didn’t go to all of our parties, but it just seems weird without him. 

It’s quiet for a while as we all consider it. My nose starts to tingle. I try to fight the tears pooling in my eyes. I can understand what Steph is saying. It sure feels weird to me, too. It’s one thing to lose Alex to college for the last two years, but it’s a whole other thing to lose one of my best friends to the military. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I can’t call him whenever I need him. I can’t text. I can’t see him. It sucks.

Hey, Dom says, running his hand up and down Steph’s arm. I wish I had someone to comfort me. Once he gets settled, he’ll be able to make a call. Maybe on Sundays, but don’t forget those will probably be to call his mom. When he can, he’ll write. Be patient.

He has a point. But it’s just not the same. I wish I was a dude. You guys don’t get all sappy about stuff like this, I tell them.

I think it blows that he’s gone. We’ve been friends for a long time. But I totally get why he did it. I’m happy for him. Dom takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh. Maybe he’s more affected than I thought he was.

But not so happy that you’d join too, right? Steph asks, lifting her head to look at him.

No, babe. You’re stuck with me. I’m not going anywhere.

Travis groans, and then says. How about we all stop acting like little bitches and go have fun. Ben wouldn’t want us sitting around mourning his absence like he’s dead. He’s not. He’s off training to fight for our freedom. The least we can do is get trashed, dance till we’re sweating like pigs, and wake up with a massive hangover.

Some of us have to drive, Dom says.

Fuck it. We’ll all call our parents and tell them we’re staying the night here.

Steph shakes her head. My dad won’t go for that.

Mine won’t either, Andi chimes in.

Travis raises a brow. Then lie. We’re all staying.

Before I can open my eyes, I already know today is going to be a long one. It feels like someone crapped in my mouth. My tongue feels hairy and the inside of my cheeks feels like dirt. What the hell were we thinking? I can’t go home like this. Scratch that. I can’t even get up.

Slowly, my eyelids peel apart allowing the sun coming through the blinds to burn my eyes. Where in the hell am I? I’m lying on my back squinting at the ceiling trying to orient myself. There’s a Tecate light fixture I recognize. Okay. I’m in the garage. After closing my eyes again to keep the swirling in my head to a minimum, I roll to my side to fight the nausea. When I reopen them, I’m face to face with Eric. Son of a bitch. Seriously?

There’s a blanket on us. I lift it, and have never been so happy to see that I slept in my clothes in my entire life. I touch my lips. They don’t feel swollen from kissing. I touch my girl parts over the denim material. Feels intact. Not like anything got put where it wasn’t supposed to be. I’d know if something ventured down there, wouldn’t I?

Oh shit.

Eric’s eyes pop open. I think I’m going to throw up.

It’s okay, he blurts. He must sense my unease.

Don’t say another word.

Nothing happened, I promise.

Then why did we sleep together under the same blanket? I ask, tugging at the covers.

Same reason Josh is on the other side of you. An open surface. Almost everyone stayed the night. This party is going down in the books as the best Carver party ever thrown.

I flip over onto my back. Josh turns also, throwing a leg and an arm over me. Perfect. The weight of his arm on my belly makes me want to gag, but I hold it back. I can’t get up and tossing my cookies on myself, or my friends, just doesn’t seem right. I lift my head to get a good look around.

Just great. I passed out on the freaking pool table in between Josh and Eric. When I glance at Josh, I notice him smiling. You’re awake, aren’t you? Get your ass off me, I tell him. He cuddles closer. If he wasn’t such a goof, I’d kill him.

He starts shaking with laughter. Look who’s a pimp now, Meggie. You’re the center of a stud sandwich.

I push his leg off of me, but snuggle into him with his left arm tucked under my head. Some party, huh. My head is starting to settle, thank god.

Pure awesome.

That little freshman was all up on you, Eric says.

I roll my eyes. "She was not all up on anything. She does like you, though."

I know. I can’t see his face but I know he’s smiling like an idiot right now.

His right arm still rests across my body and I notice black