Jace gives them the finger and walks off.
He might not realize it yet, but all that whiskey is going to hit him in the balls soon.
Cole’s uneasy eyes lock with mine and I walk over to him and Oakley.
“Has he eaten anything tonight?”
He shrugs. “Not really. My dad took us out for dinner to celebrate, but Jace bounced before it was over.”
That’s not good.
Thinking quickly, I dig into my pocket for my phone and pull up a local pizza place.
“Hey, I’d like to order a pineapple pizza please.”
For reasons I’ll never understand, it’s Jace’s favorite.
“We’re closing in fifteen,” the guy on the phone responds.
I look at my watch and curse. “Not to be a pain, but is there any way you can make this happen? It’s my friend’s birthday and he’s…I really need a pineapple pizza.”
Oakley grabs my phone. “And one more with extra cheese.”
“Some garlic knots, too,” Cole adds.
I snatch my phone back. “I’m so sorry, but I promise I’ll give you an amazing tip when you get here.”
I silently say goodbye to half my paycheck from the bakery.
“All right. Be there in twenty,” the guy grumbles before he hangs up.
Twenty minutes later, Jace is bumping and grinding with a group of girls out on the patio.
Cole takes a sip of his beer. “At least he’s having fun.”
I motion to the pizza box I’m holding. “We should get some of this in his system before that changes.”
After setting everything up on a nearby table, I turn to Cole and Oakley. “Which one of you wants to grab him?”
Oakley pulls out a blunt and lights it. “I got this.”
In the blink of an eye, he enters the makeshift dance floor, ebbing and flowing with the crowd until he reaches Jace and gestures to his blunt.
Flashing a Cheshire Cat smile, Jace follows him.
But not before giving Hayley—one of his many dancing partners—a swift slap on the ass.
Fortunately, Oak doesn’t seem to mind.
Cole chokes on his beer. “Jesus.”
I hang back as they make their way to the table. Jace can’t stand the sight of me when he’s sober, so I can only imagine how he’ll react to my presence when he’s buzzed and on his way to shit-faced.
“Pineapple?” Jace exclaims as he takes a seat. “Man, you douchebags are the worst, greatest best friends ever.”
Cole and Oakley exchange a glance.
“It wasn’t us,” Oakley says, despite me signaling for him to keep his mouth shut.
Cole jerks his chin at me. “Dylan ordered it.”
Jace shifts around in his chair. “Sure you didn’t poison it?”
“Only a little.” I study my nails. “Couldn’t get too carried away though, given it’s your birthday and all.”
He grins, and fuck me, because it’s like seeing a rainbow after a terrible storm. “Thanks, asshole.” Lifting the pizza to his mouth he takes a huge bite. “Shit’s good.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Oakley makes a face. “You’re the only person I know who enjoys that crap on pizza.”
My heart gives a sad thump. It was Liam’s favorite too.
Jace tenses, but a small group of girls from the dancefloor wander over and disperse themselves among the guys.
Hayley plops on Oakley’s lap, a brunette flutters to Cole, while the remaining two make a beeline for Jace.
And me? I’m hoping the bong boys are still here because I’d much prefer their company to whatever this is.
Jealousy stirs when the girl to the right of Jace whispers something in his ear and his face lights up like the fourth of July.
“Tell you what, go grab me a bottle of Jack and let me finish this slice, then I’m all yours.” He winks at the girl’s friend. “And yours.”
Yup, the bong boys are looking better and better.
The girl and her friend scurry off like they hit the jackpot.
I’m about to leave too, but Jace bites out, “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Last I checked, I didn’t have one.”
He appears to be mulling that over as he chews.
I’m getting ready to walk away for the second time when he speaks.
“Well, the next time your boyfriend, not boyfriend picks you up from school, I’m beating his face in and shoving a motherfucking bat down his throat.” Tilting his head, he pins me with a look. “Consider that your only warning.”
He can’t be serious. Who the hell threatens someone for giving someone else a ride home from school?
I don’t even know how to respond. On second thought, I do.
“You don’t get to control who picks me up and who doesn’t. You also don’t get to threaten my friends.”
He starts to say something, but the two girls—who are now donning bikinis and carrying a bottle of whiskey—saunter back over to him.
Instantly, he swipes the bottle from the girl in the white bikini and starts drinking.
“Damn.” Oakley’s eyes go big. “Be easy, son.”
Jace doesn’t listen. Almost half a pint is gone before Cole rips it away. “You’re gonna have a killer hangover tomorrow, dude.”
He wolfs down another slice of pizza. “I don’t give a fuck.” He smirks at the girls. “Go wait for me in the hot tub.”
They don’t waste a second following his orders.
I look at Oakley who’s pouring himself a shot. “I’m gonna head inside for a bit. Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”
Oakley starts to speak, but Jace stands up and barks, “Get over here.”
Oh no he didn’t.
I look around the patio. “I’m sorry, are you talking to me? Because I don’t respond to Neanderthals.” I narrow my eyes. “If you want me so bad, you can bring your ass over here.”
Slowly, he rakes his gaze over my body. “Is that so?”
My heart is in my throat as he treks the short distance to me.
“Here I am,” he rasps, his voice rough and husky.
There’s no denying the challenge laden in his words, but I force myself not to react. He’s drunk, it’s his birthday, and he’s pushing my buttons. Nothing more, nothing less.
“Yup, here you are. Now what’s your problem?”
My breath hitches when he hooks his finger onto the belt loop of my jeans and tugs me to him. “You.”
Jesus. I tamp down the urge to run my hand over the impressive set of abs and prominent bulge I’m compressed against. “Fine, then I’ll leave.”
His hand curls around my hip possessively, and he sways ever so slightly. “No—”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, you ugly little tramp?” a shrill voice demands.
Of course, Britney would come out here to mark her territory.
Although after what I overheard, territory is debatable.
Oakley and Cole stop talking, no doubt preparing for round two. However, I’m tired of the drama, so I pay her no mind.
I start to withdraw, but Jace tightens his grip and looks over his shoulder at Cole. “I’m gonna head out.”