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BACK WHEN

part one

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In early September of 2010, Sophie and Winter found themselves at yet another college party. Despite taking a second gap year after high school, they were determined not to miss out on the fun.

Sophie had accepted a drink from one of the seniors, but when she disappeared shortly after, Winter panicked. She searched the rooms until she found Sophie, barely conscious, slumped in a corner with the same guy who'd given her the drink. Rage simmered in Winter as she realized what might have happened if she hadn't arrived in time.

She texted her brother, asking him to come pick them up. When his message confirmed he was waiting outside, Winter draped Sophie's arm around her shoulders, half-carrying her through the packed dorms as the bass thumped around them.

When they reached the car, Kai climbed out of the driver's seat. "The fuck happened now?" he asked, clearly annoyed at having driven to the next town over.

"That asshole spiked her drink," Winter explained, shooting a glance at Sophie, who was still woozy.

Kai's gaze flickered to her before settling back on Winter. "Get her in the car."

They helped Sophie into the back seat, locked the doors, and cracked the windows before heading back toward the dorms with Winter leading the way.

Sophie's fingers clung weakly to the back of the car seats, her vision hazy and unfocused, each blink feeling heavier than the last. She had little grasp of where she was or what was happening, just a blurry awareness of leaving the party and being guided somewhere. Her eyelids drooped as she sank back into the seat, her head resting against the cold window.

When she managed to crack her eyes open again, they were moving. Her gaze drifted to the front, where she could make out Kai in the driver's seat, the passing headlights occasionally illuminating his face. She noticed his knuckles—bruised, scraped, and dotted with fresh blood—as he gripped the wheel tightly, his jaw clenched.

As Sophie's senses started to clear, she sat up slowly, her head throbbing as she blinked into focus. She turned, noticing Winter beside her, the tension in her best friend's face easing slightly as she saw Sophie coming around.

"Where are we going?" Sophie's voice was quiet and scratchy, barely managing the question.

Kai's eyes flickered to hers in the rearview mirror before switching back to the road. "Home,"

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When Sophie woke the next morning, her head pounded mercilessly, making her groan and bury her face in the pillow. She squinted, blinking her eyes open to see Winter on her laptop across the room.

Winter glanced over and gave a relieved smile. "Thank god. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up."

Sophie pushed herself up, yawning and wincing at the residual haze. She tried to piece together the events from the night before, but there was an unsettling blank spot after they'd arrived at the party. She remembered the music, some flashes of people dancing, and then... nothing.

"How trashed was I?" she groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, half-worried she'd made a fool of herself.

Winter's expression shifted. "You don't remember anything?"

Sophie looked at her, a knot of dread forming. "Oh, god. What did drunk me do now?"

"You didn't do anything," Winter replied softly. "Some guy tried to date-rape you."

A chill rolled over Sophie's skin. "What?"

"Don't worry," Winter assured her quickly, shutting her laptop and moving to sit on the bed. "I found you before anything could happen and, trust me, I lost my shit on him."

Sophie sighed in relief, sinking back into the pillows. "Thank you, Winnie," she murmured. "What a fucking asshole."

Winter's expression hardened. "He got what he deserved."

"What do you mean?"

"Kai beat the shit out of him,"

A flash of memory returned—Kai's bloodied knuckles on the steering wheel, his gaze stormy in the rearview mirror.

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Sophie made her way down the Andersons' stairs, desperately needing a glass of water to ease her hangover. Entering the kitchen, she spotted Kai at the table, his focus fixed on his laptop screen, fingers flying over the keyboard. He barely registered her presence.

Still feeling a bit foggy, Sophie went to the medicine cabinet, found a bottle of painkillers, and shook two into her palm. She grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water, downing the pills before leaning back against the counter.

Sophie's gaze drifted over to Kai, who was still typing away. Her eyes lingered on his busted lip before trailing down to his bruised and battered knuckles. His cocoa-brown hair swept over his forehead, a color that was inherited from his father.

Feeling her stare on him, he paused mid-type and looked up, meeting her eyes.

"You look like shit," Kai muttered, his eyes drifting back to the screen.

"So do you," Sophie shot back flatly.

A part of her wanted to thank him, but the words felt heavy.

Kai's mother, Janice, made her entrance, her warm smile lighting up the kitchen.

"I hope you're staying for dinner," she remarked, casting a welcoming glance toward Sophie as she set a fresh bag of groceries on the counter. "I'm making chicken and dumplings tonight."

Sophie gasped as she placed her empty glass in the sink. "You know I'd never miss out on your cooking."

Janice waved her off bashfully, pulling items from the grocery bag with practiced ease. The kitchen fell into a brief silence before she glanced back at Sophie. "So... how was the party?"

Sophie chewed on the side of her cheek, feeling Kai's curiosity tugging at her as he leaned back casually in his chair, arms crossed, blinking expectantly.

"Oh, uh..." Sophie lifted herself off the counter. "It was fine."

Janice frowned, clearly wanting more. "Oh, come on. You gotta give me more than that."

Kai raised his eyebrows at her, prompting her to shift her weight nervously.

"Honestly, I was so drunk that I don't even remember," Sophie half-lied. It was true she didn't recall much of the night, especially after the drinks began to flow.

"That's my girl," Janice grinned with a teasing nudge, moving toward the sink to rinse off some carrots. "Enjoy your youth... before you know it, you'll be shackled up and popping out babies."

Sophie frowned at the thought. At nineteen, the idea of ​​a husband and kids felt like an eternity away. She quickly changed the subject. "Do you need any help?"

Janice glanced over her shoulder, shaking her head. "Oh, no, honey. You sit."

Sophie nodded, moving to take a seat at the table opposite Kai. Their eyes locked, and an odd energy passed between them, but it was quickly disrupted when Janice turned around, finally noticing the inflictions on her middle child's face.

"Kai, sweetie, what happened?" Janice's expression shifted to concern as she walked over to him, gently using her fingers to inspect his lip.

"It's nothing, Ma." Kai reassured but Janice wasn't convinced, rubbing a spot of dried blood on his knuckles.

"Always getting into trouble," she scolded lightly. "You've got to clean this up or it'll get infected."

"I'll be fine," Kai insisted, shaking his head as he pulled his hand back.

Janice turned to Sophie. "Get this boy cleaned up for me, will you, Sophie?"

"Ma—"

"It's non-negotiable," Janice replied firmly. "The first aid kit's in the master bathroom."

Sophie sighed but nodded, standing from the table. "Come on," she said, gesturing toward the stairs.

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Kai leaned against the counter in his parents' bathroom as Sophie poured hydrogen peroxide onto a cotton pad. An uneasy silence settled between them as she stepped closer, lifting her hand to dab the cut on his lip, gently wiping away the residual blood.

Kai didn't flinch at the sting, and Sophie focused on the tiny white bubbles forming on his skin. She glanced up, catching him watching her intently. A moment passed before she pulled away, tossing the used pad in the trash and reaching for another, repeating the soaking process. She held out her hand, silently asking for his. When he obliged, she cradled it, her thumb resting gently on the side of his pinky.

"Thank you," she murmured, referring to last night and focusing intently as she cleaned his hand.

Kai didn't respond, just merely watched her.

Their relationship was typical of an older brother's friendship with his sister's best friend. After coming over practically every weekend since Sophie and Winter met in biology class, most of their conversations typically revolved around talking shit to one another, save for moments like last night when he showed that he actually did give a shit.

With one hand clean, she switched to the other, using a fresh pad as she focused intently on her task. She studied his hand as she worked, her tongue wetting her bottom lip, her gaze drifting slightly to his forearm.

Sophie swallowed, and before long, her work was complete. When she moved to clean up, Kai pushed himself off the counter, their eyes locking for a moment before he quietly left the room.

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It was the following Friday, and the best friends were ready to party again, this time opting for a night at home.

"Tilt your head back," Sophie instructed, carefully using a spoon to scoop up a pile of molly she had just crushed.

Winter took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself before following her best friend's directions and opening her mouth. Sophie swiftly dumped the powder beneath Winter's tongue, then quickly handed her a glass of juice to wash it down.

Once the substance was swallowed, Winter grimaced at the taste, her face scrunching up. "Fuck," she cursed, shimmying slightly as if that would somehow help.

After a moment, Winter repeated the process for Sophie, and before long, the drugs began to take effect. The two girls settled onto the bed, lost in the rhythm of the music, showering each other with declarations of love. They talked shit about old friends from high school, exchanging boisterous laughter.

As their jaws clenched involuntarily and their eyes shook, Winter's phone vibrated, causing both girls to snap their heads toward it.

"Who's that?" Sophie asked suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows.

Winter rolled her eyes as she picked up her phone, reading the text.

"How mad would you be if I left for like an hour?"

Sophie smirked. "Is it Scotty?"

Winter shot her a look, clearly trying to keep a straight face.

Sophie waved her off. "Go. Have fun. I'll be here when you get back."

Winter wrapped her arms around Sophie in a quick hug. "Thanks, you're the best."

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Twenty minutes had passed, and Sophie was bored out of her mind in Winter's bedroom. The high was still active but had dulled enough to make the throbbing ache between her thighs unbearable.

That was one thing she didn't like about the drug—it made her insanely horny.

She was laid back on the pillows, thighs clenched when a thought crossed her mind. Shooting up, she pursed her lips to the side, debating whether to actually follow through with it.

"Fuck it," Sophie whispered, climbing off the bed. She left Winter's room, descending the stairs and passing the ground level before heading down to the basement, where Kai was usually found.

He sat at the table a few feet from the couch, typing away on his laptop as usual. His eyes flickered up to her, watching as she walked over.

Kai moved his hands away from the keyboard while Sophie held his gaze as she playfully, almost teasingly, reached forward and slowly closed his laptop, biting her lip as she did.

"What are you doing?" Kai asked, but before he knew it, she tossed a leg over him, settling herself in his lap.

His hands hovered over her as she lifted her fingers to his face, gently tracing the slightly healed cut on his lip with her thumb. Sophie looked at him with her best "fuck-me" eyes, dragging her fingertips down his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.

He just stared at her, showing no reaction, but when she shifted her weight on him, she could feel the way his jeans had grown tighter, pressing up against her heat. After a few more seconds of their stares, their heads slowly leaned closer until his lips finally brushed against the hers.

Sophie pressed her lips fully against him as his hands moved to her thighs, the roughness of his palms gliding up her skin until they settled on her hips.

Sophie flicked her tongue against him, practically begging for a taste. He parted his mouth, allowing her tongue to make contact with his. A soft hum escaped her, each second filling her with soul-quenching arousal. Her skin tingled from the comedown of the drugs as she slid her hands up into his hair.

Kai's hand snaked up, fingers curling around her breast. He massaged her softly, his thumb grazing the hardened bud though her shirt. A soft moan escaped her mouth, but it was muffled by his.

The energy shifted and Kai abruptly brought his hand up higher, his fingers roughly cupping her face as he pushed her away just enough to break their connection. "What are you on?"

Sophie licked her swollen bottom lip, savoring the taste. "Does it matter?"

Kai leaned back in his chair, pulling his hands away from her. "Get off."

"What?" Sophie's heart sank as she dropped her hands in defeat.

His gaze bore into hers, unwavering and intense. "If I'm gonna fuck you, it's not going to be because of the shit you put in your body."

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The following night, Sophie had just woken up after sleeping all day, recovering from being up all night with Winter when she returned. Winter was still fast asleep, along with the rest of the house. Dressed in only a loose t-shirt and underwear, Sophie quietly snuck down to the kitchen.

She filled a glass with water, taking a sip as her thoughts spiraled back to last night's moment with Kai. Sophie had always found him attractive, but her thoughts about him had intensified when he returned from his tour in Iraq. Though he was clearly traumatized, it had shaped him into someone stronger and more grounded. Despite being four years younger than him, she desperately wanted him.

A twinge of guilt tugged at her as she considered how Winter might react to her little infatuation. Would she feel betrayed? Did Kai even see her in that way?

Sophie glanced over her shoulder, her thoughts interrupted when Kai stepped into the dark kitchen, shirtless and clad only in plaid pajama pants. A rush of heat flooded her cheeks at the sight of him, embarrassment washing over her in waves. Her gaze wandered involuntarily over his toned torso before she quickly snapped her head back, squeezing her eyes shut as if that could somehow erase the flush on her skin.

A prickling sensation ate at the back of her neck as he edged closer, the space between them dissolving until she felt his breath, warm against her skin, and the subtle heat of his body hovering just inches away.

Goosebumps rippled across her skin as he gently brushed her hair aside, exposing her neck. She held her breath as he leaned in, his lips brushing the skin with a heated, lingering kiss.

Kai placed his hands on either side of her thighs, pressing his hardened length into her back. He slowly dragged his hands up under her shirt, resting them on her hips. She sank back into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

Her heart raced at the contact, chills cascading over the skin he touched as he dragged his right hand around her, resting it on her pelvis. Sophie swallowed hard as he pressed soft kisses along her neck, his fingertips slipping beneath the waistband of her underwear until he made contact with the slick mess he had caused.

Kai dipped his middle finger between her folds, pressing against her already throbbing clit. A soft breath escaped her lips when he began to rub taut circles into the sensitive flesh. Sophie struggled to stay quiet, tiny breaths escaping her nose as waves of pleasure coursed through her.

His hand moved in slow, teasing circles as his other hand slipped further beneath her shirt, finding its way to her breast. His thumb and forefinger squeezed her nipple, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer, his hand finding its way to her other breast, fingers expertly rolling over the sensitive peak.

Kai let out a low hum in response to her growing pleasure, feeling her hips roll instinctively against his hand. His fingers circled faster as her breaths grew shallow, her body moving in sync with his touch.

Sophie's lips parted, her breath hitching as she reached higher, craving the release he was building within her. But just as her anticipation peaked, his hands slipped away, leaving her breathless.

"Turn around," Kai commanded in a low whisper. She did as he said, turning to face him, her gaze locking onto him.

A faint tremble ran through her legs as they stood there, his hands sliding under her shirt again, fingers hooking into her underwear and guiding them down until they slipped off on their own.

Sophie barely had a moment to register what was happening before Kai's hands were firmly gripping the backs of her thighs as he lifted her with ease. She let out a soft gasp as he set her down on the cool countertop.

With his height, he fit perfectly between her legs, his hands firm on her thighs as he pulled her closer, her hips sliding forward until there was little space left between them. He reached down into his pants and wrapped his fingers around his cock, pulling it out to line himself up with her entrance before burying himself into her with no warning.

Sophie's gasp turned to a breathless moan as she adjusted to him, her arms winding around his neck. He stared deeply into her soul, never breaking eye contact with each roll of his hips. His jaw clenched, his breaths ragged, each one fanning her lips.

Sophie moved in sync with him, meeting each thrust with a grinding rhythm of her own, the pleasure building in waves so intense her head tipped back, eyes fluttering as they threatened to roll back from the overwhelming sensation.

Kai's grip on her thighs tightened and she clung to him tighter, her nails grazing his skin as his pace grew more insistent.

"Fuck," Sophie whispered into the stillness of the night. The quiet wrapped around them, broken only by their heated breaths and the faint chirping of crickets outside. Her eyes locked back onto Kai's, her fingers slipping up the back of his neck and into his hair.

Her peak built swiftly, her body responding as her walls tightened, bringing her closer with each thrust. "Kai," she whimpered softly. But before she could say more, he pressed his lips to hers, capturing her moans in a deep, silencing kiss.

Kai let out a low grunt that vibrated against her lips, his mouth trailing along hers as she gasped, a rush of intense pleasure cascading through her. The sensation rippled across her skin and her body trembled around him, her legs instinctively clenching tighter.

She moaned into his kiss, her eyes squeezing shut while wave after wave of release washed over her, each pulse intensifying as he slammed into her, guiding her through her orgasm.

Kai's grip on her remained steady as she gradually came down from her high. He pulled away from her lips and rested his forehead against hers. The final thrusts surged through him, and he let out a quiet grunt, releasing himself inside her.

Both struggled to catch their breath and once Kai had finished, he slowly pulled away, his eyes lingering on her for a heartbeat longer before he turned and pulled up his pajama pants. Without uttering a word, he left the kitchen.

Sophie watched his silhouette fade into the depths of the house. Tears stung at the corners of her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. With a shaky breath, she hopped off the counter, hurriedly slipping back into her underwear.

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