“Sorry to leave you waiting,” he murmurs into my hair.
His breath is hot and smells like beer, and I fight the urge to push him away as I find Brandon once again over Ethan’s shoulder, his back now turned toward me, the blonde gone.
“It’s okay,” I say when I pull away, smiling not because of Ethan, but because the blonde’s absence makes me happy.
Why am I like this?
Ethan takes a sip of his beer, glancing around the party before focusing back on me. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Already?” My pulse jackknifes at the thought of leaving so soon?before he and Brandon have had a chance to talk. Beforewe’vehad a chance to talk again.
Disappointment settles in my gut, heavy and unyielding, like the night is slipping through my fingers before it’s even begun. So far, Brandon appears to be doing everything in his power toavoid my boyfriend, and Ethan seems as though he’s fine with it. But knowing how I feel, shouldn’t theywantto be friends?
“But we’ve barely gotten to hang out.” I nod toward Brandon, and Ethan groans.
“Listen, babe, I know you had this dream he and I would meet and become best friends, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen.”
“You don’t know that,” I say, hating how desperate I sound.
He laughs, and the sound sinks under my skin like razor blades. “I think it’s pretty clear. I’m sorry, babe, but you need to face facts. We’re just too different.”
Anger spikes in my veins, and I take a step back. “Maybe if you put in a little effort.”
While it’s true Brandon seems to be avoiding us, he showed up tonight becauseIasked him to. He could have easily gone to Bradd’s with the guys or stayed in, considering they have a game tomorrow. But he didn’t. He’s here, and Ethan’s not eventrying.
Ethan sighs, staring down at me like I’m a petulant child. “I don’t need to know him, because I know plenty of guys just like him.”
I cross my arms over my chest, not even caring when I spill some of my drink on my shoes in the process. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Ethan shakes his head, lifting his hands in surrender. “Listen, I don’t want to fight with you. We can stay a while longer if you like.”
I bite my lip, letting my anger fade as I stare up at him, taking his compromise as a peace offering. “Really?”
“Yeah. Whatever you want.” He steps closer, lifting my free hand to his mouth and giving it a kiss. “Wanna dance?” He cocks his head, a sly smile curling his lips.
I hesitate, fully realizing he may have relented by staying, but he hasn’t agreed to talk to Brandon.
“You look beautiful, by the way.” His gaze flickers hungrily over me and a little of my hesitation fades. “Like, really, really beautiful.”
His words fill my chest like a sunrise breaking over dark water, pushing out my frustrations until they all but vanish.
How can I be mad when he looks at me like that? When he says things like that?
“Fine,” I say, allowing him to tug me to the dance floor. “Let’s dance.”
Chapter 8
BRANDON
The humid night air sinks into my skin, but the ache in my chest burns hotter. I lean against the large maple behind the frat house, the windows pulsing with colored lights and thumping bass. Like a masochist, I watch as Tatum sits in between Ethan’s legs in front of the bonfire, his fingers tracing little patterns on her bare legs.
For over two fucking hours, I’ve been keeping tabs on her, holding the same untouched, lukewarm beer just to maintain the illusion I’m here to socialize when really, I only came for her.
Because she asked me to.
Because she has my heart in a fucking vise that won’t let go.
“I don’t like the way he keeps plying her with booze,” I say when she tips the red plastic cup to her lips.
