Scorched

Of course, I’d only wanted her more after that.

At first, it was the challenge, but then I realized she wasn’t playing any game with me. It hadn’t diminished my attraction to her; however, I spent the vast majority of time utterly confused when it came to her feelings toward me.

At some point, I guessed Andrea had relented to common sense, because she was standing and tucking a gorgeous curl back behind her ear. “Well, I’m going to get out of here.” Those damn brown eyes drifted toward me, lingering for a moment before moving on, and fuck me if they didn’t look wounded. Hurt. She rounded the couch, grabbing a purse the size of a small car off the chair beside the front door. “You know, head back to my posh apartment paid for by my trust fund and drink until I get sloshed and end up puking my guts up all over my Louis Vuitton purses.”

My brows flew up, and for some damn reason, I didn’t fire back. Didn’t say a damn word as she said goodbye to Kyler and Sydney, and then left. And maybe I should’ve. An odd burning sensation in my gut told me that would’ve been the right thing to do.

“I’m going to…uh, go talk to her real quick.” Hurrying around the couch, Syd stopped long enough to give Kyler a quick kiss and to smack my arm, and then she blew past us. “Be right back.”

When the door shut a second time, I looked at Kyler. He arched a brow at me. “Soooo,” he drew the word out. “I think you really pissed off Andrea this time.”

“This time.” I shook my head, somewhat dumbfounded as my gaze drifted back to the door. Shit.

Kyler eyed me as he leaned against the wall, crossing his ankles. “What is the deal between you two? I mean, seriously? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you two had hooked up at some point and shit didn’t end well.”

I huffed out a short laugh. “Come on, you know nothing like that happened between us.”

He lifted a brow and took another drink. “Maybe you just haven’t told me about it.”

I snorted.

“Syd swears that you two have done something, and y’all are just not sharing.”

A frown pulled at my lips. “Did Andrea say something like that?”

He shook his head. “No. It’s just Syd’s theory.”

“Her theory is wrong.”

“I don’t get her deal with you,” he said after a few moments.

“Me neither. I really have no clue,” I murmured, taking a swig of the beer as I stared at the door. “But you know what? I’m going to find out.”

Chapter 2

Andrea

The music beat overhead, a steady thrum that matched my pulse. My skin was damp and my throat was parched, but I felt good—no, great. I felt great—free and weightless, my head blissfully empty. Smiling, I lifted my arms up, tipped my head back and smiled.

I don’t know what song was even playing and it was probably one I’d be too embarrassed to admit I had on my iPhone, but right now I didn’t care. Tonight was perfect.

“Whoa,” a male voice said from behind me. I think his name was Todd? Tim? Taylor? Tiny Tim? I giggled. The guy lowered my right arm. “You’re going to dump this all over yourself.”

Dangling from my fingers was a slender glass, still half-full. I’d forgotten all about my drink. It was something fruity and sugary and awesome. Wrapping my lips around the straw, I slurped happily as my hips swayed to the music. I closed my eyes again, letting myself get lost in the best possible way. God, I needed tonight because of…of stuff—because of what happened last night at Kyler and Syd’s apartment, because of what Tanner had said and the ensuing pep talk from Syd that happened outside their apartment.

“I don’t think he meant anything by it,” she’d said. “I think he’s just worried. We all are worried…”

A kernel of unease popped in the pit of my belly. Worried? Why were they worried? There was nothing going on, and I shook my head, sending the curls flying. I wasn’t going to think about any of that.

But remnants of that conversation by my car floated through my clouded thoughts. You spent an entire week last month not talking to anyone.

I’d been busy.

You got really sick the last time we went out. It was scary. I was scared.

It hadn’t been that scary.

Do you even know who that guy was you left with?

I didn’t want to think about that guy or that night.

Large hands landed on my hips, and then I felt a warm and sticky breath against my cheek. The scent of beer washed over me, ramping up the unease. “You are so sexy.”

I frowned, for a moment having no idea who the dude was, and then I realized I’d also forgotten about him. Turning my head to the side, away from his, I opened my eyes. “What’s your name again?”

The question didn’t offend the guy. He laughed as his hands squeezed my hips. “You can call me whatever you want,” he said, and even as buzzed as I was, I knew what kind of guy this was. He didn’t care if I could even spell his name. All he was interested in was the likelihood of me going home with him or not. It wouldn’t even matter if I passed out on him. He probably didn’t know my name, and he really didn’t put any value to that. He wasn’t here to meet a girl he saw a future with beyond a few sweaty minutes.

The hands on my hips slid forward and his thumbs hooked through the loops on my jeans. I brought the glass to my mouth, finding it empty. Lifting my gaze, I looked around the bar. Almost immediately, I saw him and the air leaked out of my lungs.