He scoffs. “Calm down, drama queen. You can’t feel shit this early.”
“It’s hot in here. Why is it so hot in here?” I hyperventilate. “How could you not tell me? This is all your fault.”
“Me?” He laughs again. “You didn’t even give me a chance to speak before you inhaled the whole thing.”
“Was it yours?” Not important, but I’m curious.
“No. It was for a friend.”
We don’t speak until Will breaks out laughing again.
“Shut up. This isn’t funny.” I swat him in the arm, but he ignores me. So, I push him—more like try to. He barely tumbles back. “Stop laughing!”
He doesn’t give me the time of day, still howling. Irritated, I rattle his shoulder with hits until he snaps, snatching both my wrists and yanking me closer.
A little too close.
My breath gets stuck my throat.
I can’t help zeroing in on his lips, which are perfectly level with my eyes. It barely lasts three seconds. But three seconds is more than enough. Because something has shifted between us.
He’s not laughing anymore.
We stand there, staring at each other in utter silence. Then, as though we’ve both realized the exact same thing, we back away at superhuman speed.
Will clears his throat. “Then don’t.”
“What?” I can’t remember what we were talking about.
“Don’t go home.”
“You’re right. Good idea. I’ll just sleep in the dumpster outside. Looks real comfy.” I turn on my heels. “Thanks for nothing.”
“Where are you going?” he asks.
I shoulder check him as I walk. “I don’t know. Somewhere, anywhere. I’m going to try and find a way to stop this high from happening.”
I’m halfway to the front door when he calls, “Hey, control freak?”
I stop short.
“I think I might be able to help you with that.”
He’s right where I left him, except that now… he’s smiling. And it’s one of his I’m going to get us in trouble smile. I hesitate for a second, then think, Screw it.
I’m already in trouble.
He can’t possibly make it worse.
Wriggling in Will’s passenger seat, I tap my foot anxiously. I wasn’t sold when he told me his miracle remedy required for me to drive somewhere with him. But after he promised he hadn’t been drinking five times, I let him convince me. Although not without asking him why his car was at the party since Blake gave him a ride.
He said something about lending it to Alex to drive to Bianca’s since his ball-busting folks took away his keys again and he had no way of getting there. I’ll never wrap my head around how close these boys are. Lend someone your car just so he can come to a party? Talk about bromance.
“How did you know to come and save me?” I think back to my awkward encounter with Luke.
“I know a girl who needs an excuse to leave when I see one.” He shrugs, eyes fixated on the road. “What’s up with you and golden boy anyway? I thought you were giving him a chance.”
“He’s cute, sure, it’s just… I’m not really looking to date right now.” I press my forehead to the tinted glass.
“I get it. Can’t be easy. Having just broken up with Blake and all…”
My blood turns to ice.
How does he…
No one’s supposed to know.
He snickers at my surprise. “Oh, come on. Alex? Really? The guy can’t hold his tongue to save his life. It’s a miracle he didn’t tell Kendrick.”
“But… How long have you known?”
“Since the bonfire.”
I shrink in my seat.
We all went to this back-to-school bonfire near the beginning of senior year, aka the party where Blake and I first slept together. Losing your virginity in a tent in the woods? Not my best moment. Literally. I didn’t even have a good time. Blake lasted twenty-four seconds and fell asleep on top of me.
“Oh, God.” I bury my face between my hands. “Don’t tell me you heard us.”
“Nah, I went to take a piss in the middle of the night and saw Blake sneaking into your tent. I thought you were cheating, so I told Alex. Then he practically vomited the truth.”
“Oh.” I withdraw my hands from my reddened cheeks.
The tension in the air is somewhat thicker than it used to be. I can’t help scanning his features. The sharpness of his jaw, the slight crease on his forehead as he focuses on the road, his short, messy hair. Zoey’s voice echoes in my head. Hottie Blondie’s right there for the taking.
And all I can think is…
Is he?
“Where are we going anyway?”
He smiles and takes an unexpected left.
“To get you unhigh.”
Kassidy
“Damn, Martins, I didn’t know you had so many coins,” I say, climbing out of Will’s car and slamming the door. I don’t recognize this neighborhood. Or the fancy, half-stone, half-stucco modern house standing tall in front of me. But then again I’ve never been to Will’s place before.
I take in the property: its long asphalt driveway, perfectly mowed lawn, and two garages. What the heck do his parents do for a living?
“This way.” He motions.
I follow as he rounds the garages, stops near a high wooden gate, and pushes it open. The backyard is big and well furnished. It has a pool, a barbecue, a pool house, and a hot tub inside what seems to be a custom-built gazebo.
“What are we doing?” I question.
Will leads me straight to the hot tub, removes the cover without a word, and chews down on his bottom lip not to laugh, like even he knows what he’s about to say is bullshit.
“I heard hot tubs sober you up.”
He can’t be serious.
“I-I don’t even have a swimsuit.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “So? You have underwear on, don’t you?”
That’s the last thing he says before taking off his shirt and pants in front of me.
No heads-up.
He just strips.
I swear I can feel my throat tighten when I take in his hard, defined body. Even in the dim-lit backyard, my eyes effortlessly trace along the lines of his abs. Broad shoulders, strong pec—
Holy fuck, he
