“Oh my God.” She gasps.
“What?” I ask.
“We’re going out.” She leaps off her bed, digging through her walk-in closet for an outfit.
I chuckle. “Who are you, and what have you done to my best friend?”
“I’m serious. There’s a kegger on the beach tonight. It was all Zoey could talk about today. We have to go.”
“Why?” I groan.
“Because Will’s going to be there. And Zoey kept saying you were going to get what’s coming to you tonight.”
The pieces fall back together.
“He hates her. He’d never do that,” I counter.
“You just told him you were with Luke! He’s going to be all sad and miserable and drinking and… Don’t you see what’s happening here?” She holds her hands up. “You pain in the asses may be too freaking stubborn to get together already, but if you don’t go, you may never get the chance to try.”
She’s right…
Cornered, I nod, slinging my legs over the bed. Seems we’re going to a party tonight.
Will
The crowd is thick, the music loud, but nothing—absolutely nothing—could be louder than my self-hatred. Propped against a tree, I drag a sip of rum I don’t need, the glass bottle in my hands almost empty.
But you know what else is empty?
My fucking head.
No brain in there.
No, ma’am.
I almost had sex with her. On Kendrick’s bed, to make it worse. I almost took her. Hard. What the hell is wrong with me? I can still feel her squeezing me. Hear her shaky, unassuming moans when I finger-fucked her. She was so innocent, yet in perfect control, and it drives me completely crazy.
She drives me crazy.
It’s probably just lust. Nothing but my hormones speaking, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since that night. I thought if I gave in to the temptation, I’d be free.
Cured.
I was wrong. If anything, I’m growing sicker every day.
I only came to this lame-ass kegger because I was hoping she’d be there. Zoey always drags her to those kinds of things. What do I hope to achieve by being at the same party as her? Not a clue. But I couldn’t help myself after what she told me earlier. Luke fucking Jenson? Really? My blood boils as I recall them walking out of the school together. Who knows what they did all day? I visualize them going at it in the back seat of his car. On the hood. In the driver’s seat.
The thought rips me apart.
Defeats me.
No, it straight up disqualifies me from our maddening game of cat and mouse. I used to be unbeatable. Number one player through and through.
I always won the game until winning meant losing her.
It’s more than lust.
A lot more.
I like this girl.
And I want to give this a shot.
Screw the consequences.
I have to find her. I have to tell her. Even if there’s a chance that I’m too late. Walking off, I begin my search, but luck isn’t on my side, because I can’t find her anywhere. I must seek her blonde hair for five minutes before stopping by the beer keg. Who knows if she’s even here?
A voice startles me. “Drinking by yourself?”
Zoey.
“Can I help you?” I barely spare her a glance.
“Nope. But I’m hoping I can help you.” She leans forward, feeling my bicep. I move away with a cringe. When is Kass going to accept this Zoey chick is a backstabbing bitch?
“I’d rather poke my eyes out with a fork, but thanks.”
“Ouch.” She pouts. “Kendrick is much nicer than you.”
“Kendrick wants to fuck you, I don’t.”
She looks at me like I’ve just slapped her in the face.
“Is Kass here? You know, your best friend?” I remind her.
She quickly collects herself. “Nah, she couldn’t be bothered. She’s too busy with Luke.”
I squeeze the glass bottle so tightly at her statement I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter in my hands.
“What’s going on between those two anyway?” I ask.
“Oh, you don’t know?” She chuckles. “They’re a thing now. She told me they sealed the deal a few hours ago.”
They what?
She fucking slept with him?
She let him touch her… like I did?
When?
After I left?
After I didn’t say what I should’ve?
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“They… They slept together?” I nearly choke, hating myself for how transparent I’m being.
She nods. “Yep, she finally opened her legs. About time, if you ask me. She could use the experience.”
I told Kass the same thing once. Biggest lie I’ve ever told in my life. She knows exactly what to do in bed. My dick can attest to that. Jesus, is that what she meant by “What if it is” earlier?
She warned me.
Said it straight to my face.
I shouldn’t be surprised.
“Apparently, he’s huge,” Zoey says.
It feels like sandpaper is scrubbing my insides.
“Oh, don’t look so sad, Willy.” Zoey steps forward, and I flinch at the nickname—Kass’s nickname for me. Is this the Universe messing with me? Chill, Universe.
I’m already fucking dying.
“Forget her. She doesn’t appreciate you. I, on the other hand…”
I stare blankly into space.
“In fact, she said not to bother her tonight. Luke’s probably banging her as we speak.”
Explains why I can’t find her.
I lost her.
The girl who talks back at me.
The girl who cares.
I lost her because I can’t treat her right.
“It’s just you and I, Willy,” Zoey adds.
“Stop calling me that,” I hiss.
Zoey crowds my space, pushing to the tip of her toes with a vicious smirk covering her red lips. I can’t move. All I see is Kass moaning beneath Riverside’s golden fucking boy. Happy that she dodged a bullet—happy that she dodged me. Zoey’s mouth crashes against mine.
Will, wake the hell up!
It must last two seconds tops. I shove Zoey away from me, ready to bite her head off.
That’s when I see Kass.
Standing by the fire. Staring at us, eyes brimming with tears.
Then
