I move my attention back to Angie and say, “So, my brother doesn’t want me dating you.”
She scoffs. “Aiden is insane. He texted me and told me to stay clear of you, that I am still a baby.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s what he said to me.”
“He’s crazy. I’ll do who I want.”
“Ooh, Aiden would be pissed,” I tease and she laughs.
“I don’t care,” she says, all slow and sultry. She leans into me, and I love the color of her eyes. They’re such a beautiful color, like moss.
“Changing the subject.”
She snorts. “Scared of me?”
“Very much so,” I admit with a grin. “So, how were classes?”
“Busy. How was your interview?”
“Good, I got the job.”
“That’s cool.” It doesn’t really seem like she cares. “So, I guess you’ll be super busy now.”
“Yeah, but I like it that way.”
“Well, hopefully you’ll make time for me.”
I grin at her. “Don’t worry. I will.”
Problem is, I don’t think either of us believes that.
When we arrive, the party is banging. People are everywhere, but Ally and Angie find their team right off the bat. I’m asked to take a photo of all the girls in their dresses, and I oblige. We make our way inside where more people are, and I realize why I hate parties.
It’s loud, people are drunk and dry-humping, and everyone is so messy. So damn messy.
I glance down at an excited Angie, and I groan. I get the feeling we’ll be here forever. I sense someone looking at me, and when I meet Ally’s gaze, she gives me a look. “Can we leave?”
I scoff. “Exactly.”
“What?” Angie asks, and I shake my head.
“Nothing. Come on, let’s get a drink.”
“I want to dance!”
Before I can answer, she pulls me onto the dance floor, and then we’re dancing. If I thought Angie was wild before, nothing compares to how she moves when she dances. Her ass shakes and bounces in ways I’ve only seen in porn. As she grinds against me, I’m trying to remember why I don’t just sleep with her. It’s obvious she wants it, and damn if she isn’t hot. I hold her hips as she slides against me, but then my gaze is caught by Ally. She’s dancing very intimately with Taco. He holds her face, gazing into her eyes, and she looks as if she’s in a trance.
It pisses me off.
I look away just as Angie turns in my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck and rubbing against me. I slide my hands down her body, holding her hips just as her eyes meet mine. They’re such an intense green and really stunning. Without realizing what she is doing, I’m surprised when her lips meet mine in an openmouthed kiss. My eyes drift shut, but nothing. No sparks. No cock jump. No chills down my spine. Nothing. When she pulls away, I think she knows too. She eyes me, and I look down to her, unsure what to say or even do.
“That wasn’t what I was expecting.”
I nod. “Yeah, it wasn’t.”
“Should we try again? ’Cause that felt like kissing my brother.”
I cringe. “I shouldn’t be alarmed that you open-mouth kiss your brother, right?”
Her face wrinkles in a grin. “Seriously.”
Seriously? Okay. I pull her hard by her hips against me and capture her mouth with mine, but as soon as our lips touch, I know there is no chemistry.
I pull away, and she sighs. “This isn’t going to work.”
“Nope,” I say gently. “I’m sorry.”
“I think we’re too close.”
“Yeah.”
“Because I think you’re so fucking hot.”
“Right back at you,” I agree with a smile. “But there is nothing here.”
“Nothing.”
I’m a little worried about her feelings, but thankfully, she smiles and then kisses my jaw. I feel awful but, at the same time, relieved. She pats my chest and then walks away. I watch her for a moment, and then I look for Ally. I guess I’ll head out, but I want to tell her first. I look to the spot where she was dancing with Taco, but she isn’t there. It only takes a second for me to find her in the corner at a little chess table. I make my way through the crowd, and she finally glances up at me as I get closer. Her eyes are soft and a little sad. I’m unsure what is wrong, but for my sanity, I don’t ask. I can’t exactly kick Taco’s ass here. I’ll get jumped since he’s friends with the whole lacrosse team.
I look down at the chess pieces and then back to her green gaze. I want to leave, but I don’t want to leave Ally here. I glance back at the chessboard and shrug. It will make us look like losers, but I doubt either of us cares.
On an exhale, I ask, “Wanna play?”
Chapter Eleven
Ally
As I sip my wine cooler, I can’t help my wandering eyes. I shouldn’t be watching Asher and Angie on the dance floor, but it’s hard not to. Asher came ready to impress with his hair brushed to the side and freshly shaved. He’s wearing his contacts, and of course, I miss his glasses. I hate that he wears those stupid things. He looks so much better with his thick frames. The jeans he has on are tight on his thighs and hips. He’s wearing a light blue tee with a dark blue sports coat. I happen to think he looks dreamy. The way Angie is looking at him, I think she thinks he does too.
I hate how much that hurts. I should be happy for both of them. Asher is great, and he will take good care of Angie. Angie is a doll, she’ll be good to him, yet my chest burns with bitterness.
I want to be in his arms.
I want to be under that gray gaze.
And then, unfortunately, I watch their lips meet.
My eyes drift shut as I lean forward on my legs, scrolling through Instagram. I have a strong will, and this secret I’m keeping is good and hidden, but even I can’t handle seeing that. I’ve only felt his lips on my cheek, but even so, they are soft and tender. I’ve dreamed of his kisses. Would he be rough or sweet? I want nothing more than to know. More than I need my next breath, but I won’t utter a word.
I fight back the tears. I know Asher said there was no spark, but that he would have a hard time resisting her. She is smart and so stunning. I love her, even if I want to kill her because of my jealousy. I shouldn’t even care. I have Taco… Though, he’s getting high with a couple of his friends. He says he’s changed, and sometimes, I feel like he has. He’s been very sweet, but he knows I don’t like him getting high. Especially here on campus. Everyone knows he is with me, and knowing my luck, I’ll get drug tested and have to deal with all that. I’ll pass, but it’s still embarrassing. I don’t want to set that kind of example for my team. I feel someone watching me, and I look up to see Asher walking toward me.
“Wanna play?”
Moments later, Asher is looking down at me. His eyes are darker, his lips parted, as he points to the chess table. I drop my legs to the floor and tuck my phone in between my thighs. I’m unsure what is happening and where Angie went, but I won’t pass up the opportunity to hang out with him. Might as well get my time in because I know Angie won’t let me be close to him the way Jasmine did. Mostly because Angie doesn’t want to sleep with me. Wish all his girlfriends would want to sleep with me, then I wouldn’t lose him as my bestie.