‘I don’t believe that for a second.Anya told me that you’re a good dancer.’
He’s staring at me in a slightly intense and very hot kind of way.His lips do a playful little twitch in the corner that has my cheeks heating.There are unspoken words lingering in the air,and I think we’re both recalling what happened in his bathroom the other day.
‘Did she?’I ask, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
‘Mmhmm.’He nods.
‘You talk about me, hey?’I tease, and surprise myself as the words come out.I don’t think I have ever flirted with anyone successfully in my life.Maybe it’s the alcohol giving me a confidence boost.Or maybe it’s those endless eyes staring deeply into mine, making me feel like I can say or do anything.
‘Oh yeah.’He shifts, leaning onto the table, eyes flicking down to my mouth briefly.‘It made me wonder whether I might see any of your moves one day.’
Now my face isreallyon fire.Shaking my head, I step back, allowing myself a moment to take a breath.My heart is pounding inside my chest, and I don’t know why.This is just a casual conversation.Zayden probably flirts like this with everyone; I’m certainly not special.It’s nothing to get worked up over.
‘If you two are done gawking at each other, we have a game to play?’Christian interjects, eyeing the both of us with a smirk on his face.
Running his tongue over his teeth, Zayden pushes off the table and moves to stand beside me, looking completely casual and unbothered.I silently thank Christian for the interruption before I have the chance to make an idiot of myself.As much as I was enjoying his attention, I certainly do not want to overthink anything or make out that something is happening when it isn’t.I like Anya and spend a lot of time with her.I don’t want to risk our friendship or have anything become awkward between Zayden and me.
The game continues and after another drink, I find myself relaxing.I never would have thought hanging out with the football guys would be something I’d do on my own, but they’re a lot offun and Zayden’s friends have made me feel welcome.I’m sure Zayden is only being nice to me because I’m Anya’s friend, but I appreciate it nonetheless.The night started out as a disaster, and this turn of events has lifted my spirits.
Zayden flicks the ball cleanly into the cup in front of us, securing our team the win.He steps back, a boyish grin on his face as he turns to me.Our fingers brush and he glances down, pulling my hand and slapping it to his in a high-five.
‘That’s how it’s done, baby,’ he smirks, wiggling his eyebrows.
Goddamn.I think I have a crush on my best friend’s brother.It feels juvenile to think that way.Is it normal to have ‘crushes’ at this age?I’m not sure if it is, but I certainly feel that way about him.
I jolt a little in surprise when I feel Zayden’s fingers on my elbow.My skin feels hot where he touches me as he guides me towards the kitchen.
‘Having a bit better of a time now?’he asks, flashing me a grin, showing off his straight, white teeth.Both him and Anya have such beautiful features.
‘Much better, thank you,’ I say earnestly, enjoying that this room isn’t as crowded as the living room was.
Zayden plucks two plastic shot glasses from a pile and taps his fingers over the assortment of bottles before us.He stops at a bottle of Fireball, yanks it out and waves it in front of me.
‘Had this before?’
‘No,’ I reply, shaking my head.
‘That’s about to change.’
Pouring us one each, he hands it to me and clinks his glass against mine.
‘Fuck that dude,’ he says.
‘Fuck that dude,’ I echo, and throw it back.
It burns the entire way down my throat and my chest.I can’t help but make a face at the taste.Zayden grins in amusement.
‘Another?’he smirks, once again doing that eyebrow thing that would look ridiculous on anyone else.
My face feels hot, and my body relaxed.My head is light and floaty.I like this feeling.I suddenly don’t feel anxious, or stressed, or paranoid about something.
‘Absolutely.’
‘Oh!’Zayden suddenly says as he slams the glass down onto the bench.‘I love this song.’
Taking my hand in his, he drags me towards the dance floor.A few people glance at us as we walk past, and I let myself soak up their attention, since I’ve never had people stare at me like this before.I’m guessing everyone knows who Zayden is, being on the football team and all.He’s popular around here, all the boys on the team are.Being on the team comes with a certain status.
Vibrations pulse up my body from the thrumming music, and I toss my long hair over my shoulders.A few of the other guys turn to face us when we join the crowd on the dance floor, all cheering at Zayden’s arrival.A few of the girls look over at me, some stare with kind and curious expressions, others are a little puzzled, but I don’t let my mind wander towards any insecure thoughts.I’m going to assume that they just don’t know who I am, rather than that they’re judging Zayden for being with someone who looks like me.
