“About that. Elijah messaged me that he wants a final draft by Friday and I haven’t written a word,” I say.
“Shit. Sorry. Look, the guys already know about Logan. I mean I’d prefer it if you left his medical history out of it but you can write about my poor start. I guess that’ll give you a rags-to-riches story.”
“Thanks, Declan. You know I would never write anything you wouldn’t want,” I assure.
Ryse walks over to us and my body stiffens. I can’t warn Declan but I see him pick up on my rigid stance.
“Everything good over here?” Ryse asks, looking between me and Declan.
I plaster on a grin that’s a little too saccharine. “Remember I’m writing the Spotlight on Declan? It’s due this week and I wanted to finalize a few things beforehand.”
“Cool.” Ryse nods and he leans over and picks up a slider. He doesn’t take a plate he just pops the whole thing in his mouth, which makes his mouth look very full.
Declan leans over liking the idea and does the same thing, “Mmm, this is really good.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you two to your burger eating,” I say. I try to behave like Declan is a mere acquaintance, but how can I after everything we’ve shared? I’m falling in love with Declan and that’s hard to hide.
I walk away from the guys and Holland walks over to me. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I grin. “I may be a little tipsy from the beer and my brother thinks he needs to be my bodyguard.”
“You having fun, though?” she asks, and I take a bite of the slider and nod.
“Mmm, these are really good,” I say, confirming what my brother and Declan just said.
“They have really good food here. I used to work here with Rebel,” she explains.
“Nice,” I say.
Paris, Blossom, and Cait walk over to me.
“Come, we are doing shots,” Cait says.
“Oh, I don’t really drink that much,” I say.
“Come on. Let’s have some fun,” Cait urges. I did have fun getting drunk with them over wine at Holland’s house so I figure why not. Besides, it seems like everyone is drinking and having a good time. They’ve even set up a makeshift dance floor and some of them are dancing.
I take back the first shot. Turns out it’s tequila. I’ve never had tequila before but by the third shot it goes down smooth. I head with the girls on to the dance floor. Truth is I’m having a blast dancing with them. We’re being silly and a little wild like we were at Holland’s house on girls’ night. It feels good to let loose and have fun.
“I’m just going to the girls’ room,” I say to the group and I stumble away.
I head to the girls’ room and relieve myself and boy did I need to pee. Afterward, I wash my hands and check myself in the mirror. My cheeks have a healthy flush and I’m definitely feeling the beers and the shots. I smile to myself and leave the restroom. But before I know what’s happening, I’m pinned to the wall and Declan’s glorious scent envelops me along with his sinful lips. He tastes of beer and his distinct taste and I find it intoxicating. My hands come up and tangle in his hair.
“You look so hot and watching you dance, the way you were moving your hips has me hard as a fucking. . .” He presses into me and I moan.
“What the fuck?” I hear my brother’s voice but it takes a moment to register. Declan is yanked off me as I stare at my wide-eyed brother. “Poppy, what is going on here?” Ryse asks and he looks so hurt.
“Ryse, I can explain,” I mumble.
“You motherfucker,” he says to Declan. “I made it clear to you to keep your hands to yourself,” my brother shouts, and then he punches Declan in the face. Declan doesn’t even try to defend himself and he falls forward from the force of the punch.
The guys come running over to the restroom area.
“What’s going on here?” Cole asks and then he watches us wide-eyed and mumbles something under his breath.
“I’m going to kill you, McAvoy,” Ryse says, and then he’s barreling into Declan and pins him to the wall. Declan’s body crashes into the wall so hard I flinch.
“Ryse, stop it and listen to me,” I say, but my brother is too lost in his anger to hear me.
Evan pulls Ryse back but it isn’t enough, so Cole helps and holds Ryse on the other side as he struggles to get free of them.
“This asshole was just all over my sister!” Ryse shouts at them. “I have a right to kick his ass.”
“It isn’t what you’re thinking, bro,” Declan says.
“Do not bro me,” Ryse spits. “We’re not brothers. At least not anymore.”
Declan flinches and my heart dips.
I want Declan to stand up for himself, to tell Ryse I’m not just some conquest to him but Declan is frozen.
“You should leave,” Wolfe says to Declan. “Leave or stand up to him, but I don’t want you wrecking my night.”
“Sorry, bro,” Declan says to Wolfe.
Declan looks at me and I see his sorrow. His regret. Does he regret me, us?
Declan leaves and I begin to cry so I head back into the restroom. Holland follows me in.
“Geez, Poppy. What the hell happened?” Holland asks.
“Ryse caught me and Declan making out,” I explain regretfully.
“Shit. That isn’t good,” she says.
“I feel so terrible for messing up Rebel’s party,” I say and swipe away tears from my cheek.
“Rebel is on cloud nine. Nothing is going to ruin tonight for her. You don’t need to worry. But I’m worried about you,” she says.
“I’ll be fine. I had a little too much to drink and lost my inhibitions. Please apologize to Rebel for me. I’ll take an Uber back to the dorm.”
“Okay, honey, you can leave out the back so no one sees you,” Holland suggest. “I can show you the way.”
We leave the restroom and Ryse is standing there with his arms crossed in front of his chest. “What the hell is going on with you?” he snaps. I get he’s angry but I don’t need this right now.
I walk past my brother. “Poppy, get back here,” he demands and so I turn around and walk up to him.
“I love you, but right now I’m really mad at you. You made a scene that didn’t have to be made, and I’m sick of you acting like my father. I just need you to be my brother because I can take care of myself.”
“Poppy, Declan is my friend but he isn’t good enough for you,” he says to me. “You don’t know what kind of guy he is.”
“I-I. . .” Feeling too overwhelmed, I’m at a loss of words. “I’m leaving, Ryse, and don’t follow me.”
“But how will you get back to your dorm?” he asks after me.
“I’ll Uber,” I say to him just because I know he worries.
I head out back and say bye to Holland. This is her best friend’s engagement party, I don’t want to be wasting any more of her time.
I get in the Uber and head back to my dorm, thankfully, Bonnie isn’t here which is weird because she said she would be in all night. Guess she had a change in plan. I keep checking my phone to see if Declan texted me but there’s nothing but cold silence.