“What’s wrong?” I reach down, readjusting myself, hoping like hell my hard-on diminishes soon. My dick fucking aches.
“I guess she got into a raging fight with Marcus and now she’s inconsolable.” My eyes track Addie’s every movement as she reaches down and pulls the zipper closed on her shorts.
Disappointment rises in me and I tell myself to calm down. I get it. She needs to go help her friends.
“What are they fighting about?” I draw my legs up, so they’re bent at the knees, relieved my erection has started to deflate.
“Monique showing up.” A sigh leaves her as her gaze skims over me, lingering on my still bare chest. “I need to go to them.”
“Want me to come with you?” I grab my T-shirt and slip it back on, hating how awkward everything suddenly feels between us.
I can tell she’s retreating. Focusing on something else. Her friend. Not me.
Not us.
Addie shakes her head. “No, it’s okay. I should go.”
Spotting my keys on the floorboard—they must’ve fell out of my pocket—I grab them and hit the button, the hatch door slowly opening. Addie scrambles out and turns to face me, raising her hand and waving at me.
“See ya.”
She’s gone before I can say a damn word and I thrust both hands in my hair, gripping the back of my head.
What the hell was that?
SIXTEEN
ADDIE
I make my way back to Marcus’ house on wobbly legs, my breathing erratic, my thoughts…
Everywhere.
The night took a turn I didn’t expect. Yes, I was hoping Beck and I would talk. Kiss. Something simple though. A sweet little make-out session maybe.
Instead, Beck admitted his feelings for me. Feelings that go way back. I can’t believe he thought about me the entire time he was with Sasha. That he was trying to show me he liked me; yet, I was completely clueless.
I sort of thought he did, but always blew it off. I figured he was completely out of my league.
My heart still hasn’t completely calmed down. I remember the look on his face when he leaned in and kissed me for the first time. How everything fell into place the moment our lips touched.
How everything became that much hotter once they did.
I did things with him that I never tried with Jonah. I touched Beck in places that usually made me nervous. I never felt like I was ready when I was with Jonah, though he always tried to talk me into it. The single hand job I gave him was awkward, uncomfortable—for me—and even a little disappointing.
With Beck, it’s as if I became a different person. Bolder. Dare I even think it…
Sexier?
A secret smile plays upon my lips as I draw closer to the house. Beck told me I was beautiful. He held me as if I was made of glass. He slipped his fingers beneath my thong and touched me where no boy has ever attempted to touch me before.
More like where I never let anyone touch me before. I didn’t want it to happen with Jonah—ever. Maybe I was saving myself for someone else?
“What are you smiling about?”
I stop short when I hear the familiar male voice.
Liam.
The very last person I want to see.
He’s standing on the porch, and I’m pretty sure he’s smoking a blunt. The strong scent of marijuana lingers in the air, and while I’ve partaken a time or two at a party or get-together, I’m not one to smoke weed regularly.
Not even close.
He takes a hit on the blunt, his gaze never leaving mine as he exhales smoke. At least he’s alone. No tagalong Danny lurking nearby. But he is blocking my way into the house and from his stance, I’m guessing he’s doing it on purpose.
I walk up the steps and stop in front of him, hoping I won’t have to ask, but he doesn’t budge.
Of course he doesn’t. Why does he have to make things so difficult?
A sigh leaves me. “Can you move please? I need to get inside.”
“Where’ve you been?” He crosses his arms, trying to look intimidating.
It’s not working. I don’t have time for this.
I try to duck past him, but he shifts with me, blocking my entrance. “Why weren’t you in the house? Who were you with?”
His gaze roams over me, narrowing in on my face. I press my lips together, hoping he doesn’t notice that they’re swollen from Beck’s kisses. I absently run a hand over my hair, trying to smooth it out.
I’m sure I look like I’ve been hooking up with someone—which I was.
“I don’t really see how that’s any of your business,” I tell him, my voice firm. “Now get out of my way.”
“So rude,” he mutters as he does what I ask, moving away from the door.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I push open the door and stride inside the house, coming to an immediate stop.
There are so many people crowded in here. The living room is overflowing with people from my high school. So many familiar faces. Even a few unfamiliar ones.
Not a one of them is Emma or Tori.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Emma.
No answer.
I call Tori next.
She doesn’t answer either.
Not surprising. It’s so loud in here, I’m sure they can’t hear their phones ring.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as Liam enters the house, Danny now by his side. In a hurry to get away from them, I push my way through the clusters of people congregated in the living room, heading toward the kitchen.
I’m on the hunt for my friends, but I can barely concentrate. All I can think about is Beck. His big hands on my body, his mouth on mine. When he kissed my neck, oh my God. His warm, damp lips. They’re so soft. The boy knows how to kiss.
And all the other places he touched me…
“Oh! I’m sorry!” I run smack into someone, practically bouncing off of her, and when she turns, my mouth drops open in disbelief.
Of all the people I have to run into, it’s freaking Sasha.
Her friendly expression falls, her mouth turning downward. “Oh. Hey, Addison.”
“Hey, Sasha.” I keep my voice even. Why am I running into everyone I don’t want to see right now? First Liam, then Sasha?
My luck is terrible.
“So…where’s your friend?”
I frown. “You mean Emma? I’m trying to find her.”
“No. I’m talking about—” Her smile turns pained. “Beck. Where’s he at? I know he’s here. I saw his car. Is he trying to avoid me?”
A sigh leaves me. He is the last person I want to talk about with her. “I don’t know.”
“You two together yet? I told him you were more his speed.” A giggle escapes her and my frown deepens.
“What are you talking about?”
“When we split up, I told him maybe he should try getting with you. You know, because you’re more his speed, with that whole late bloomer thing he’s rocking? I figure you’re the same.” Her smile turns saccharine sweet. “I’m surprised you’re at this party since there’s alcohol here, Addison. I never see you at these sorts of things. I always figured you were too scared to show.”
The smile on Sasha’s face never falters. It actually grows brighter as she watches me, her gaze telling me she believes I’m some pathetic little creature who will never be as pretty or as popular as she is.