He glances around the party and says in a tight voice, “Trust me, it’s completely necessary.”
By the stubborn tilt to his chin and the determination in his eyes, I can tell that arguing isn’t going to get me anywhere.
“Fine,” I mutter.
Carter’s lucky that I’m in the mood to party. Especially now that I’ve unloaded Kevin.
The first thing we do is look for Olivia. Just like Carter claimed, she’s in the kitchen with Tanner, engaged in a deep conversation. Much like they were at the Labor Day barbecue, their heads are bent together, and they’re smiling at one another.
For a moment, I stop and watch Olivia. I hate to interrupt whatever’s going on between them. Olivia’s goal this year is to get laid. Fine,that’s not really her goal. It’s mine. How she’s managed to hold on to her virginity is a mystery. I suspect she’s been waiting for Noah, but with Ashley in the picture, that isn’t going to happen.
Maybe Tanner can be that guy. He doesn’t need to be Mr. Forever. Mr. For Right Now is good enough in my book.
When I’d suggested freshman year that she find a hot, random guy to get the deed done, she’d looked at me in horror and told me she wanted her first time to be special.
Clearly, she’s read too many romances.
Otherwise, she would know that first times aren’t special. They’re pesky nuisances that need to be gotten out of the way with the help of alcohol. Even after that, it takes a few more times before you get a glimpse of what all the fuss is about.
But, to each their own, right?
Olivia’s virginity is Olivia’s business. Or so she tells me whenever I bring up the subject.
Decision made, I swing around to Carter, who is so hot on my heels that when I turn, my breasts brush against his chest. It’s so embarrassing the way my nipples instantly go on high alert. I take a step back and his hands settle on my shoulders to steady me.
He raises a brow.
I tamp down the heat filling me and shake my empty cup. “Maybe we should get a refill?”
He frowns and eyes my glass. “Exactly how many have you had?”
“Not nearly enough to put up with you for the rest of the night,” I mutter.
“Fine. You can have one more.”
I roll my eyes. “Gee, thanks, Dad.”
Who died and made Carter my keeper?
This level of scrutiny is worse than my cousin’s. Usually, at some point in the evening, Noah will get preoccupied with Ashley, and then I’m free to do what I want. I have the sneaking suspicion that won’t happen with Carter. He’s going to take his job as protector a little too seriously.
Instead of arguing, we head toward the makeshift bar on the otherside of the room where the keg is set up. I survey the table with every kind of hard liquor imaginable and give Carter a bit of side-eye. “I’m in the mood for a shot,” I declare.
As expected, he groans. “No shots.”
Carter isn’t much of a drinker. He sticks to beer and never has more than one or two.
“One shot,” I cajole.
“Shots are never a good idea.”
Normally, I would agree with his assessment. But I’m not inclined to agree with anything Carter has to say. He’s managed to suck all the fun out of my evening. It’s going to be awfully difficult to hookup with him in tow. I mean, I could…but that would be weird. And I have the feeling Carter would end up chasing away any guy who got too close.
Dylan is still manning the bar.
Once Carter grabs Dylan’s attention, he glances back at me. “What do you want?”
I study the selection and purse my lips. “Fireball.”
