“And will you two please stop treating me like your chauffeur? It’s weird having you behind me.” I spin and wink at Palmer.
She leans forward and hugs me around my shoulders. “I’m sorry, Breaker. Next time, I’ll sit up there with you.”
“Like hell you will.” Marek jumps out of the truck. “Now, do we need to explain how we behave in public again?”
Palmer laughs, but I don’t see the humor. Nothing is funny these days. I climb out and circle the car before Marek can get to Palmer.
I smack my hand onto his chest. “What the hell is going on?”
“I wasn’t supposed to tell you.” His eyes dart to Palmer. He sighs when he looks at me. “But I can’t let you walk in there without a little heads-up, especially since you’ve clearly caught that something’s going on.”
My eyes lock on Palmer. At least she has the decency to look upset and disappointed as Marek spills their secret. I take two long steps to her.
“Were you going to let me waltz in there and look like a complete idiot? Because that doesn’t seem like my girl. So, do I not know you as well as I think I do, or is there some other explanation why I’m about to walk into what would appear to be an ambush?” Every word I’m slinging at her isn’t fair, but I’m too angry to get myself in check.
“Breaker, listen to me.” She grabs my shirt, holding me in place. She knows I’m about to bolt. With her fingers wrapped around my chin, she searches my eyes while I fight to hide them. “Look at me. I’m in an uncomfortable spot. Don’t make it harder on me.”
“So, you’re okay with her flaunting this guy in front of me?” I yank her hand away and stare at the house.
“No, I’m not okay with it, but I don’t really have much choice, Breaker. She’s my best friend.”
“And what am I?” I shake my head, knowing this won’t change a damn thing. Palmer is right. She’s stuck in the middle of our bullshit, and I’m not making it any easier. “Don’t answer that. I’m good. I promise.”
“Breaker, listen, man,” Marek tries to intervene.
I hold my hand up to silence him. “It’s good. Avoidance is a means of survival.”
With little confidence in my words, I spin and walk towards the house, straightening my jacket and combing my fingers through my newly longer hair. This may kill me, but I’ll die looking good while I face my most beautiful demon.
Music pulses through the house, rattling my chest the moment the door opens. The place is packed with sweaty bodies, grinding against each other, hoping to get laid tonight and not regret it in the morning. Most of them will feel the icy regret of their hookups. A majority will see the error in their ways before pants are unbuckled.
“You’re here!” Dixon yells over the top of everyone’s heads. He greets me with a hug, stumbling a bit to prove he’s treated himself with a little controlled substance tonight.
“And you’re shit faced.” I draw away, catching the dilation of his eyes and the goofy ass grin shining brightly at me.
“Hardly.” He rolls his eyes, scoffing.
“What party favors are we partaking in?” I grab the rear of his neck, guiding him through the house and into the larger-than-life kitchen.
“A little grass.” He pinches his fingers together, showing what a little means to him.
“Try again, asshole.” I laugh, reaching my hand out to Max. He smacks his against mine and smiles at Dixon’s bullshit.
“A pill.”
“Max, what the hell did he take?” I grab the shot he offers and down the burn. “And where can I find some, because if I’m not feeling as good as him, then what the fuck is the point of this?”
Max magically produces a bottle out of his pocket, shaking it like an owner teases a dog with new treats. I’m practically salivating as he twists the lid and hands me a pill.
“This won’t kill me, will it?” Without waiting for an answer, I pop it in my mouth and swallow it dry, sticking my tongue out at Dixon and Max.
“Right on, Breaker, you crazy ass mother fucker.” Max hands me a cup of beer to flush the pill down.
An hour later, the pill is blissfully floating through my bloodstream. I’m in the middle of the dance floor with a sophomore wrapped around my waist. She kisses along my neck, and I don’t stop her, even though her lips mean nothing to me. They’re sloppy and desperate.
“You’re so hot,” the girl whispers in my ear, her mouth a little too wet for my liking.
“If you want to spit on something, drop to your knees, sweetheart.” I run the palm of my hand over my skin to dry it.
“Right here?” There’s a question in that sentence, but the eager tone in her voice makes my dick jump. Her hands wrap around the hem of my shirt, and she starts to kneel.
I tug her to her feet and grin, giggling like a fucking schoolgirl. “I love the enthusiasm, but even I have more decorum than that.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m happy to.” She smiles at me with such wonder and admiration in her eyes, it almost kills my buzz.
“What’s your name?” I brush her blonde hair behind her ears, rubbing the strands between my fingers. It’s soft, but not hers.
“Jessica,” she answers, but I barely hear her.
What has me so distracted? Right over Jessica’s shoulder, in the foyer, appears the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. The dress she’s wearing is tight like a second skin. She is newly tanned. Palmer let it slip that she’d jetted off to some island on vacation with her mom after the New Year.
“Why the fuck is she so fucking beautiful?” I whisper, not realizing the words are out loud.
“Who is she?” Jessica’s tone forces me to return to reality,
