My spine snaps tight. The guy comes back and hands the lit joint to Penn. His eyes search mine, and I fight the urge to look away or even blink and give him the satisfaction. I know what he probably thinks of me. A prissy, uppityBarbieand well, he might be half right, but I don’t want him to know that.
He holds the paper between two fingers, extending his arm to me. “Well?”
I swallow nervously, aware that everyone’s attention is on us. I’ve never smoked before, and I’m guessing he knows that. I’ve never had any interest in it, always too afraid of losing control. But now more than anything, I want to wipe that smug smirk off hisface.
I smile sweetly and reach for it, but he jerks back, slipping the joint between his lips.
My open hand lingers in the air as he stares at me, a gleam sparkling in his eyes as his chest inflates. Seconds pass. He pulls the joint from his lips, passes it back to the other guy, then tilts his chin to the ceiling and exhales. A cloud of white smoke invades the air, filling my nose and throat. It burns, but I hold in the cough threatening to escape.
“Sorry, Barbie.” He winks, and I narrow my eyes.
We’re locked in another silent staring contest, the tension climbing. The woman beside him rubs her hand along his thigh. My eyes fall to the movement and when they lift again, he cocks his head, arching a brow. The knowing smirk on his lips has me turning away before he stands, stalking off with the girl trailing after him.
I exhale and return to searching for patterns on Pinterest, willing my blood pressure to go down.
“Hey,” some guy says, taking a seat beside me a few minutes later.
I tuck my phone away, not wanting to appear rude. “Hello.”
“I’m Seth.”
“Olivia.” I stick my hand out and he takes it, giving it a light shake.
“So, how do you know the guys? I’ve never seen you before. I’d remember.” He grins, and something about it is familiar.
“I met them at a show last week.”
“Ah, I see. I’m that idiot’s older brother.” He points to Liam, who is still tongue deep in some redhead’s mouth. I see the resemblance in their golden skin and sandy hair, though Seth’s is longer, pulled up into a bun on his head. “Need another drink?” He eyes my cup. It’s less than half full, but I don’t plan on having another.
“I’m good, thanks.”
He leans in, lowering his voice. “You’re really pretty. Do you—” He’s cut off when Penn appears from nowhere and leans over to whisper in his ear. Seth’s forehead wrinkles as he listens. “Nice to meet you, Olivia,” he says, hopping up and scurrying away.
What the hell?I gape at Penn, who stares blankly at me. “What the hell was that all about?” I shriek.
He takes the spot Seth was just in, casually throwing his arm over the back of the couch. “Nothing.”
“It was something. We were having a conversation before you rudely interrupted. What did you say to him?” My blood pressure starts rising again. I take another drink, needing more liquid courage. I’m normally not this confrontational, but something about him sparks a fire in me. I just can’t tell if it’s one I want to smother or let him stoke the flames.
“I just told him you weren’t one of our groupies and not to waste his time because you weren’t going to fuck him,” he states. “Also told him you had a boyfriend.”
I gasp. “First of all, Idon’thave a boyfriend.”
He searches my face as if he thinks I’m lying.
“Second,” I say, “you don’t even know me. Maybe I am a groupie.”
“You’re not.”
His sure tone throws me off, but I keep on. “How could you possibly know that already?”
He makes a show of looking me over, his eyes lingering on my skirt, and a flash of heat hits my stomach. Not in the uncomfortable way it did earlier when the creepy guy did it.
“Because if you were, you’d already be in someone’s room—preferably mine—bent over my bed.”
My mouth goes dry, my pulse pounding against my neck. I open my mouth but can’t seem to form words.
He continues, “Groupies are easy to spot and you’re clearlynot one. You’re uncomfortable as fuck right now, like you’d rather be anywhere else.”
