A loud moan penetrates the flimsy wall between Thor’s room and the guest bedroom on the other side, halting me midsentence, before the rhythmic banging noise increases in volume. My cheeks pink as I realize what’s happening.
Callan chuckles, and the deep rumbling sound does funny things to my insides. His fingers flex against mine as he solidifies his grip on my hand. “Someone’s having fun.” He waggles his brows as his lips twitch, and I hate the flush on my face that refuses to disappear.
It’s no wonder his only interest in dating me is fake dating. I’m under no illusion when it comes to Callan Hunt. There’s no way a guy who looks like him is inexperienced. I’m betting he’s been with lots of girls. To him, I’m probably some naïve little girl, blushing like a ten-year-old at the sound of a couple having sex.
“Scott!” Gwen screams his name so loud I’m sure they’ve heard her downstairs over the music.
Callan cracks up laughing while I snatch my hand from his grasp and cover my face with both hands. My skin feels inflamed, and I silently curse my bestie for making this awkward for me.
“Wow, your best friend sure is a screamer,” he adds as Gwen continues screeching Scott’s name.
Lowering my hands from my face, I hope the flush leaves my skin before we get downstairs. “We should go.” Listening to my bestie having loud sex is not my idea of fun. Some things should remain private between friends. Taking his hand, I walk toward the door, trying to block out the screams, moans, and banging headboard coming from the next room.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed,” he says as I stride across the hallway, making a beeline for the stairs.
“I love Gwen, but listening to her have sex is not on my list of favorite things.”
“I thought Swedes were liberal when it comes to sex,” he teases as we walk down the stairs.
“I’m American,” I remind him, glancing back, “but yeah, Sweden is pretty open-minded about relationships, marriages, and sex. I’m all for free love and hooking up, and I would never shame anyone. You do you, etcetera. I’d just rather not know what my bestie sounds like when she comes.”
Callan cracks up laughing again. “That’s fair,” he replies as we reach the end of the stairs. I turn in the direction of the living room, my eyes widening when Callan’s arm wraps around my shoulders. He leans down, pressing his mouth to my ear. “Is this okay?”
“Of course. Sure.” My body naturally softens against him, and it’s no hardship being tucked into his side.
Callan escorts me into the living room, which has thankfully thinned out a little. I’m guessing Joe’s teammates left the party in solidarity, taking a chunk of the cheerleaders with them. Can’tsay I’ll miss them. The vibe is more chill now, and the room is less stifling.
Nikki waves us over, and Callan makes a beeline for our friend group. Thor has his arms around Renee, and she’s swaying, looking a little glassy-eyed. Lyn is chatting to Jamie, a girl from my AP history class, while Nikki looks cozy with Riley, a guy from the soccer team.
“Dude. Sup?” Thor holds out his arm, bent at the elbow, and he and Callan do some elaborate bro handshake. Nikki arches a brow, her grin expanding as she notices how Callan is keeping me close.
I break free to lean in and hug her. “Girl, have you been holding out on us?” Nikki whispers.
“Not exactly,” I whisper back, being vague on purpose because I don’t know what I’m,we’re, doing. “What about you?”
“We’re just flirting.” She waggles her brows and releases me. Still clinging to cluelessness, I see.
“Hey, Astrid.” Riley smiles widely as he bundles me in a bear hug.
“Hey, Riles.” Riley is one of Thor’s best friends and one of the good guys. He has a massive crush on Nikki, but she refuses to believe it, even though they’ve kissed a few times. Riley still hasn’t plucked up the courage to ask her out, and at this point, I wonder if they’ll ever get their act together.
I’m wrenched from Riley’s embrace as Callan pulls me back, curling his arm around my waist and plastering me to his side. “Astrid’s with me,” he growls, narrowing his eyes at his teammate. His possessiveness has me swooning until I remind myself it’s fake. He’s laying the foundations if I decide to agree to his suggestion.
“Dude.” Riley holds up his hands, smiling. “We’re just friends. Relax.”
“Let’s sit,” Thor says, steadying his drunk girlfriend as he leads us toward the seating area in front of the open fireplace. He gets rid of the students sitting on the two leather couches, and we all claim seats. Renee is perched in Thor’s lap, humming and swaying, while he looks her over in amusement. Nikki and Riley are beside them, talking quietly, leaving Lyn, Callan, and me to claim the other couch.
“Where’d Jamie go?” I ask, looking around.
“Outside to her friends,” Lyn says, standing. “I’m getting a drink. Do you two want any?”
“I’ll take a water,” Callan says.
“Same for me.”
“You two are no fun,” Renee slurs.
“Bet you’ll reconsider that statement in the morning, babe, when you have the hangover from hell,” I say.
