“Stay close.”
“Fine. Let’s go.”
I make my way through the crowd and check over my shoulder every once in a while to see if Lane and Sophie are following. Not only are they following, but they’re right on my heels.
Sophie puts her hand on my shoulder then yells in my ear, “Go inside.”
I nod and continue walking, not missing the stares I’m getting from appreciative eyes. It actually feels exhilarating to be noticed when all I thought I wanted was to blend in. A high rushes through me like it used to in high school, and for once I feel as if I fit in.
When I enter the living room, it’s less crowded than outside.
“Blue,” a group of female voices scream, and I turn to see my cheer squad.
I rush to the girls and envelop them in one big hug. Looking around, we are all here…well, except for Stephie.
“Oh my god, I didn’t think you’d come, so we didn’t ask,” Sara says as she flips back her long red hair.
“You’re always so serious. You scare the shit out of us sometimes.” Brandi’s comment catches me by surprise and almost hurts my feelings, but I brush it off quickly.
“I love you. You’re my girls.” And that wasn’t a lie. I spend more time with them than anyone else, including Sophie, even if she were to keep her ass in the dorm room.
“Want to meet some boys?” Sarah asks, waggling her eyebrows.
“I’d love to. Lead the way, ladies.”
I keep my eyes plastered to the girls and refuse to let my vision wander, but when we round a corner, a dark hoodie and sexy brown hair are impossible to miss. Tuck and Noah. Seems the band of brothers are enjoying their last party before the season as well.
I let out a sigh when we move in the opposite direction, and I refuse to make eye contact with either of the dickheads. Sarah and Brandi bookend me on each side, linking me with their arms, and begin introducing me to an array of men. My head swims while I try to brand their names with their faces, and I actually enjoy it because they’re not all football players, and several of them are dazzlingly gorgeous.
A tall and tan man steps up and takes interest in me, and I even lean in a couple times to hear what he has to say, even though he’s talking to the crowd. Our group is standing in the middle of a walkway, and I seem to be a roadblock. Everyone keeps bumping into me. Soon Sarah is off my side, and the tall, hunky gentleman is there with his arms wrapped low and resting on my waist.
I melt into him, tired of being bumped into and knocked around, and find it easier to listen to the conversation. The men in the group are trying to talk the women into a game of beer ping-pong. It’s just not going their way, but is a hoot to listen to.
“Are you thirsty?”
“Jay, right?” I look up into his piercing blue eyes.
He nods down at me.
“Do I have to play ping-pong?” I smile.
“Nah, I got the hook-up.”
“Yes, please, then.”
“I kind of like this spot, so save it for me.” The vibration of his voice tickles my ear.
“Sure thing.”
As he steps back, I slide my legs out as if going into the splits, but stop before I hit the guy who was standing on the other side of Jay.
“How’s that?” I ask over my shoulder.
He just sends me a wink as he takes off, and before I turn back to the group, I catch Tuck staring at me, and I can’t help but laugh. I’d be a fool to say the seething look on his face isn’t a bit scary, but he can fuck off.
I sure in the hell didn’t come here to piss Tuck off, but I won’t pass up on the opportunity either. And if I thought my skin burned before in the California sun, it’s nothing now to the holes I feel Tuck boring into me.
This group’s conversation is light and very entertaining, nothing too deep, and no brooding athletes.
“Blue.”
I turn to see Sophie waving to me from the corner filled with football players, which happens to be the same place Tuck is. I give her a thumbs up and a huge, genuine smile and avoid eye contact with anyone else. She mouths they’ll be there for a bit. I send her another thumbs up, then I feel a tap on my shoulder.
Jay is holding two red Solo cups with a genuine smile of his own. I’m pretty good at reading energy, and he seems super nice.
He bends down and asks loudly, “Are you a beer girl?”
I reach up and nuzzle his ear with my nose. I know I’m being extra flirty and it feels good. I’m not sure if it feels good to be doing it in front of Tuck, or because I’m just acting careless for once.
“I love beer, Jay.”
“Here you go.”
The plastic cup is chilled and feels refreshing on my palm as the sweet scent of beer fills the space between us, but it’s snatched out of my hands before the frothy golden liquid has a chance to hit my lips.
“Blue.” I look up to Noah, who has weaseled his way in between us. He replaces the beer with a new one and whispers in my ear, “Do not take anything from anyone besides Tuck and myself. Do you hear me?”
“Fuck off, Noah.”
“I mean it, Blue. I know you’re hurt and pissed right now, but we are just looking out for you.”
I see red for the second time in the same day, and I’m pretty sure it’s from his use of the pronoun we. The red sparks to into large flames when I look over at Tuck and see several girls surrounding him. Before Noah can react, I snatch the beer from Jay’s hand and shotgun that bitch. Then I pound the one he handed me.
“Now you can give Jay that beer and leave us alone.”
I pluck the beer from Noah’s hand and give it to Jay, and then I turn back to the group.
“Do you know who that was?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s the quarterback.”
“So?”
“Are you his girl?”
“Nope.”
Jay holds his hands up in the air. “You seem like a nice girl, but I’m not getting involved in that.”
Jay doesn’t wait for an explanation before he leaves me, so I shotgun the third beer in mere moments and let the magic golden liquid induce a hazy effect.
“He’s an ass and doesn’t know what he’s missing.” Brandi hooks her arm around mine and tugs me back toward the living room.
I catch sight of Noah holding yet another red plastic cup, so I stall our progress and snatch it from his hand.
“Thanks, fucker.”
Brandi lets out a little giggle, and I’m not sure if it’s from me snatching his drink or calling him a fucker. I know I should share this drink with her, but don’t. When the liquid hits my tummy it burns like a motherfucker, and since all my senses are thrown off, I’m guessing he wasn’t nursing a beer.
We are thrust into a mass of sticky, sweaty people moving to the pumping music. My body finds its rhythm easily, and in my mind I’m dancing like a fucking star, but I can tell my movements are loose and sloppy. The same DJ seems to recognize us again and makes a big deal about cheerleaders being at the party.
We once again hop up on a table and bust out some of our best moves, and against my better judgment I slam two more cups of liquid back to quench my thirst and overheated body. At one point, we dance more like we are strippers at some high class club. No clothes come off, but we do leave very little to the imagination. I don’t recognize any of the songs, but I keep up easily with the jamming beat pouring through the speakers.
The crowd gathers closer around the table as the beat turns sexier, and then hands begin groping at thighs, and I watch as Brandi is pulled from the table. Her smile is evidence that she freely wants whoever just snagged her. Different palms try to pull me, and I don’t want any of it, so I move toward the other side of the table and feel the same skin on skin action. Then I hear all the vulgar calls through the music. I don’t want to be touched or called these nasty things.
My head swims through the alcohol, heat, and pouring music. Panic or passing out threaten me as I’m completely dragged from the table in strong arms that I have no chance of fighting. An elbow or two flies back into the solid chest, but I don’t budge, nor does his grip. I flail, my feet trying to connect with a shin, but nothing is keeping this man from taking me wherever he wants. I try to scream, but everything is stuck in my throat as tears flow down my cheeks.