I smack the phone in his hand. “Who is that?”
“Cort.”
“Scary ex-girlfriend Cort?”
He grins. “That’s the one.”
“She telling you what a dick you are?”
“Nah, she’s sexting me.”
I nearly spit out my beer. “Shit, seriously?” The last time I talked to Anders about Cort before we left LA, he said they hadn’t spoken since they broke up the summer after graduation. The fact that Cort is now sending him lewd messages gives me a twisted glimmer of hope that maybe Vee and I can get back even a fraction of what we used to have. Though I really don’t expect I’ll be getting a “touch me here” text from her any time soon.
My eyes drift over to where Bri and Pax are dancing, theirfaces interlocked. I spot Vee in a group of fans, talking and laughing, as she throws back the last of a beer. It’s hard to take my eyes off of her, even when she catches me staring, and things start getting uncomfortable.
VIRGINIA
If Cam wants to stare at me, I’m going to give him something to watch. Something to really think about. As much as I hate to admit it, when I put on this little sundress, this is the moment I’d had in mind. Him thinking about what he could have had, what he missed, what he wasted.
Tad is standing at the edge of a pulsing group of people, and it’s weird to see him without his camera. I put my hands up in front of my face like my own imaginary camera, and weave through the tangle of bodies toward Tad. He’s smiling at me.
“What was your favorite thing about today?” I say, still pointing my imaginary camera at him, doing my best impression of the confessional interviews we’re always doing.
He scrunches his lips up like he’s thinking really hard, and my eyes drift to his chest tattoo on full display in his V-neck shirt. “This moment is pretty high up there,” he says, and I can feel the heat creep up my neck.
“Wanna dance?”
His sexy grin says yes, so I pull him by his wrist to where there’s a crowd dancing. I love this feeling, like my head is half detached, like I’m watching myself being so bold, letting the stress float out of my fingers as I wave them above me. I feel a hand on my waist.
“Babe—” I turn to find Logan sheepishly holding a plastic cup. “You left your drink.”
“Did you just call mebabe?” I shake my head.What is this life right now?
Tad looks embarrassed, and I don’t know why, because I’m sure he was flirting with me. He’s probably embarrassed for Logan—the way he’s shyly trying to wedge himself between us like he’s a middle school dance chaperone or something. I take the glass from his hand and take a long drink—the tangy liquid biting on its way down my throat.
I smile at Tad again, but he’s not looking at me the same.
Logan takes my elbow and wraps my arm around his waist. “Dance withme,Vee.” It’s weird to hear, the way his voice sounds like he wants this but doesn’t. I start to pull away and he pulls me closer, his mouth to my ear. “Dance with yourboyfriend,Vee.”
I close my eyes. “I’m an idiot,” I mutter.
“You’re just a lightweight.” Logan pulls me into a hug. “Just lay off the crew, okay?” he jokes.
“Don’t leave me alone with Bri again,” I say, thinking about the shots she was so excited about when we were getting dressed. Of course Bri doesn’t have to worry about a fake boyfriend, or an ex-whatever, or anything, really.
“Deal,” Logan says.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THEN
VIRGINIA
I thought he was going to kiss me. There was that look—the moment of hesitation just before a guy kisses you, when they’re giving you a chance to run away. At least, I think that’s what that moment is for. Otherwise, why hesitate? Just go for it. But Cam isn’t a creep, and I just spilled my guts and cried. And…Oh, God, did I ugly-cry?My tears had felt delicate. Sure, there were a lot of them, but I’m not snotty or hyperventilating, or exhibiting any of the other telltale signs of the ugly-cry. Thanks to the ever-present lake breeze, my face is already dry.
Taking my own advice, I don’t hesitate.Just do it.There is no chance for him to run, as I slam my lips into his, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt to steady myself. His reaction is immediate, as his hands slip around my waist, pulling me tight to him. Warm hands slide under my shirt, landing on the cold skin just above the waist of my soaking wet jeans. It sends a shiver through me as hot meets cold. His tongue brushes along my lips and just as mine part, I feel his body go rigid. Still holding me by my hips, he pushes me back, and suddenly there’s a foot of space betweenus. My hands fall away from his neck at the abrupt movement, landing on his shoulders.
“Shit,” he mutters.
