“TJ’s on mine. Shake.” He held out his hand and we shook, both trying to get the other one to break, and he won, with his strength. So I kicked him in the shin. “You little shit.”
“That’s for letting your teammates bet on how much I freaked out.” I felt Tanner’s stare and I met it, sensing his amusement, and I knew he wouldn’t lie to me. “Who had more than ten times?”
“Your brother.”
“Fuck, well, he wins. I started carrying the bat around after it got dark every night and I might’ve left every light on upstairs.”
“We’re back, and you’re fine.” Aaron gave me one last look before picking up his bag. “Let’s get the house ready, boys, it’s been a while since we gave her a good time.”
* * * *
They weren’t kidding—they had crazy parties. Music blared from the basement after Zade got the hook-up with some awesome speakers, and three large kegs of Bud Lite lined their back deck. It was just big enough to hold the massive barrels and there had to be at least twenty cups on the ground. It was nine p.m. and people were already getting silly. It had started an hour ago.
“Girl, you look incredible. Give me a hug.” Greta Aske didn’t wait for permission before throwing her arms around me, causing me to stumble into the kitchen wall. She wore a floral perfume and it tickled my nose, and I got a mouthful of her hair before she let go. “I love your skirt. Seriously, how do you Hills look good in everything?”
“He doesn’t. It’s just me,” I replied, earning a huge grin from my brother’s bubbly girlfriend. I eyed my high-waisted jean skirt that had buttons all down the middle. I’d paired it with my Chucks and a black crop top that didn’t have sleeves. It showed two inches of my midriff and felt like the perfect balance of flirty and modest. “But thank you. I stressed over what to wear to one of these.”
“Rookie mistake. It doesn’t matter.” She held a red cup up against her cheek and squinted toward the living room, where we’d removed all the valuables. Only the couches remained. “Shit, someone I know looks sloppy. I’m going to check on her. I wanted to tell you.” She paused, waiting for me to meet her intense stare. “Your brother loves you. He needs you in his life and if you ever need help kicking his ass, you just ring. I got your number from him today and I’ll text you mine. If I don’t see you later, we’re hanging out soon. That’s a promise.”
I didn’t have time to smile before she took off. A girl I had never seen before slipped down the wall to the ground, unaware of how much she exposed to everyone, and Greta bent low to help her up. It didn’t matter that she stepped in spilled beer or that it got on her awesome yellow dress. She helped people and I sent another prayer to whatever guardian angel that would hear me. I was so glad Aaron had her.
“Yo, Kenny, we’re up on beer pong. I really hate losing to your ass-clown of a brother, so I hope you’re good.” Zade looked way too stressed for a party and I chuckled.
“I’ll be fine.”
“If we beat them, I’ll buy you breakfast tomorrow. Anything you want.”
“Incorrect. If we win, they will buy us both breakfast tomorrow, and I’m not talking about no IHOP. I want a buffet.”
“It freaks me out how much I fear you and respect you. If that doesn’t sum up how I feel about your brother, I don’t know what does. Come on, Ken, let’s do this.”
He smiled and charmed his way through the small crowd of people and led me toward one of three beer pong tables in the backyard. My pulse raced at the thought of competition. It ran in our family and while I knew my strengths weren’t athletics, I still wanted to win at everything. We approached the table to find my brother chatting with a red-haired kid who looked a little star-struck. When the kid saw me, his mouth dropped open.
“Angel.” He looked at me, then Aaron, and back to me. Aaron wasted no time before smacking the kid in the neck.
“You continue one second of your thoughts, I’ll kill you, Carter. Death. Serious death.”
“Is that your—”
“Yes, now leave.”
The goofy kid mouthedI love youto me and I snorted. Zade gave me an incredulous look and shook his head. “That’s Carter Bolt. It’s a damn shame he has a name for fame, but the hair of a ging.”
“Don’t hate on gingers. Have you seen Prince Harry? Good lord, I can get on that train.”
“Dude, no,” Aaron yelled at me, causing another fit of giggles to escape me. His expression softened and his tone changed. He moved to our side of the table and blocked out the rest of the party so I could see him. “How are you doing so far? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Aaron.” It was hard to be annoyed when he looked so worried. “I’ve had one drink and only seen two people making out. It’s actually boring.”
He pressed his lips together for a second before his playful smile returned. “You’re such a dick.”
“Nah, I’m sweet.” I shoved him toward his side and froze when Tanner walked toward us with his arm around a girl. He wore jeans that showcased his strong legs and a black V-neck that left his glorious tan arm muscles for anyone to ogle. I couldn’t control my physical reaction to him like that, hair styled and no stress around his eyes, but I could control my thoughts.
Who is she?
Does he like her?
Oh, Jesus. Of course he likes her, at least for tonight.He brought his face toward hers, nibbling on her ear for a second and causing her to giggle and lean farther into him. My gut tightened, the sight of them sending an irrational surge of jealousy through me. We were friends. Nothing more. He owed me nothing. Literally, nothing. But it didn’t stop the feeling and I found every ounce of my inner badass to shove the feelings down. “Johnson, put your dick away for a second and come lose.”
