Good grief. Maybe he is gay.
What gives? In sheer frustration, my gaze falls to my chest. They may not be double D’s, but they’re still pretty nice. I’d worry it was my crass shirt, but his wasn’t any better. There’s no way around it. I have a big personality.Maybe he’s simply concerned his dick won’t measure up.
I haven’t felt this instant attraction to someone in… well, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this magnetic pull before. Is it simply that he’s new? Or maybe it’s the fact he’s acting unaffected, when I continue to find his eyes on me.
He’s undeniably handsome. Several inches taller than me, with a lean but muscular build, dark brown hair, and a square jaw covered in deliciously dark stubble. But those eyes. Mine are blue, but Trevor’s are utterly hypnotic. They’re like staring into the deep blue sea. Finally, a man in this town has me excited about the possibility of more. Figures he’d be repulsed by my very existence.
Once he opened his grumpy-assed mouth, it should’ve been enough to turn me away. Who comes to a party with a mood like that? Yet it only made him more intriguing. Why’s he so crabby? Loyalty’s obviously a big deal to him. Had someone done him wrong?
“Addy, you there?”
I jump as my sweet friend’s voice interrupts my inner monologue. “What?”
Cece giggles. “I asked if you wanted me to grab you something from the grill? Where’d you go?”
“Nowhere. Just letting my mind run away from me.”
A tsk tsk sound escapes her lips. “Me thinks this Trevor has put you under his spell.”
“Probably because he’s the one guy here she can’t have,” Alden teases.
“Who says?” I toss back. The rejection not sitting well.
“See. It’s the challenge, isn’t it, Addy?”
“I’m not like that. Not that men don’t play that game all the damn time, and no one calls them out on it.” I take another sip of my drink. “He’s merely a new pretty face. That’s all,” I say, crossing my arms over my disappointing C cup boobs.
For real, Addy? Your boobs are fine. Get over this.
“Weren’t y’all heading to the grill?” I need to get ahold of myself. I look forward to these parties. I’m not letting this guy get to me. “Can you get me some grilled vegetables? I’m going to try and grab a dance partner.”
“Sure, babe. Get your groove on. We’ll be right back,” Cece adds before turning to wrap her arm around Alden’s waist. They’re so lucky. I’m glad they don’t consider me a third wheel. It’d suck coming to these functions alone all the damn time.
Rotating toward the makeshift dance floor, my eyes land on Matthew and Dave. As if they’ve read my mind, the two burly firefighters move in my direction. Sandwiching me, we begin to awkwardly dance to the Dr. Dre song Sam has on his playlist.
“So, did you meet Trevor?” Matthew shouts over the rhythmic base of the song.
“Yeah. He’s not very friendly.”
“He’s a nice guy, Addison. He’s just getting used to the place.”
Shaking my head, I try to hold my tongue and hope they’ll simply change the subject. But I’ve never had that much restraint. “Well, if he’s this miserable at a party, what the heck is he like at the station?”
Dave wraps his arms around me in a bear hug. “He’s fine, Addy. Give him a chance. You probably intimidate him.”
I push Dave’s arms off of me and spin to take him in. “What?”
“Addy, you’re quite a force to be reckoned with.”
My face falls at his statement. I have to admit I tend to come on a little strong. It’s easier toactself-confident and put together than to let others in close enough to see your flaws. Years of practice at overcompensating, I guess.
Dave lifts my chin with his fingertips. “But don’t you change a thing.”
“He’s right,” Matt shouts over the music. “Don’t you dare dim your light for any man. Especially a firefighter.” He lets out a chuckle. “We live for that high-intensity shit.”
I can’t help but throw my head back and laugh at the two of them. “Y’all are completely ridiculous.”
The three of us refocus on the upbeat tunes playing, dancing with renewed abandon under the Edison bulbs strewn overhead. Extending my arms, I sway them back and forth in time with the music as party goers chant the words to the song around me. There’s something about merriment in the company of friends surrounded in mother nature’s majesty. It’s invigorating.
