She smiles until she catches my expression, then it drops.
“What’s with the hooker fit, Hads?”
She smirks as she digs into her tiny clutch. “I’m just giving Culley a reminder of what he’s got. He’s been moody and weird lately, so I figured a little reminder couldn’t hurt.”
I snort. “By dressing like an extra inPretty Woman?”
She rolls her eyes, pulls out a sparkly lip gloss, and slicks it on her lips. “Desperate times, Hudson.”
Cullen will definitely have an opinion. He likes to see the person, not what they wear.
A loud honk comes from outside.
“Cull is here. Try not to twist an ankle.”
She ignores me, hands on her hips. “Can’t the idiot be a freaking gentleman and at least come to the door?”
“Wouldn't that set women’s equality back a few years, Hads?” I deadpan, making my way out onto the front porch.
She stomps her foot before storming out behind me.
I open the back door of Cullen’s truck and climb in. “What's up?” I greet, raising my fist. He bumps me back with a lazy “sup”, then gives me a once-over, emerald eyes flicking from head to toe, lingering on my shirt just a second too long before darting away.
Did Cullen just check me out?
No. Don’t be stupid. That’s just desperation clawing at the edges of my brain. I shift in my seat, trying to ignore the flush creeping up my neck.
The front passenger door swings open, slamming shut with a thud as Hadley climbs in. “Hi, baby,” she sings, batting her lashes.
Cullen’s eyes narrow as he takes in her outfit, his nose scrunching. “What are you wearing?”
“It’s called a dress, Culley.”
He scoffs. “I know what it is, but why are you wearing it? It’s not your usual style.” He’s frowning, scanning her up and down.
“Let’s call it easy access,” she smirks.
“Hads, you’re prettier without all that crap. No way am I showing up at a party with you dressed like that.”
Hadley holds Cullen’s glare, not flinching once. “Okay.” Her voice is nonchalant, but I can hear the calculation in it. “I’ll just walk then. I need to break in my heels anyway.”
She swings the door open and starts to get out of the truck. Cullen curses low under his breath and grabs her wrist.
“Fine. Just… get in.”
She smiles in victory, clicking her seatbelt into place. “I knew you’d see it my way, Culley.”
Cull’s jaw tightens so hard I swear I can hear his molars grinding. He throws the truck into drive and peels away from the curb, heading straight for Katie’s house. I sink into the seat, wishing I could disappear before this night even starts.
***
Cull and I are posted up in the kitchen with a few guys from our soccer team, hanging out for the first time since our season ended. The party’s loud and chaotic, but this is the only room you can hear yourself think in.
And it has the booze.
The low buzz hasn’t left my stomach, so I’ve been nursing it with tequila. Cullen keeps cutting glances my way, not loving how hard I’m going with the bottle. He’s deep in conversation with Archer, talking about our odds of making the Ashbridge soccer team next fall, so I take the chance to drink him in.
Fuck, he’s beautiful.
