1
FINN
3 YEARS AGO
Idon’t know who the woman in the hot pink dress is, but I want her screaming my name by the end of the night. My own thoughts give me pause. It’s completely out of character for me to notice, let alone think that about anyone in Fairview. Thanks to my father and his friends, I adopted a “don’t shit where you eat” mentality when it comes to sex. It shouldn’t apply to me since, unlike them, I’m not married or in a relationship, but it’s been years since I hooked up with anyone from Fairview, and up until now, I planned to keep it that way.
Fairview has been growing substantially each year, our social circle is small and incestuous. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone that a friend of yours hasn’t already fucked or tried to fuck. This woman isn’t one of them. She’s talking to my sister, so I assume she’s around the same age. If that’s true, she went to my high school, and would have been a freshman when I was a senior. It’s doubtful that I wouldn’t have seen her around back then.
I wouldn’t have forgotten if I had. Not with a body like that. And that face. Fuck. I want to see it up close. Preferably looking upat me while she’s on her knees. She’s beautiful, but a lot of women are. Yet, something about her demands attention. Maybe it’s the way she smiles like she means it, or the way she throws her head back, unrestrained, when she laughs.
I can’t remember the last time I saw someone act so reckless with their feelings, so free. That’s what emotions are in our world. Reckless. It’s another lesson I learned from a young age, and one I won’t soon forget. Movement catches my attention and I glance over to see Gracie Davis walking over with a determined look on her face.Fuck my life.
“Hey,” she says when she reaches me.
I don’t say anything as I scan the room for my asshole friends who were just here a moment ago. It shouldn’t be hard to spot them, since, unlike most nights, the lights aren’t turned off and this place isn’t at capacity. Pure is a nightclub, but because it’s my sister’s birthday weekend, we’re allowing her to use the first floor of the three-story club.
The first is the general nightclub, the third is the VIP lounge, and the lower level is what my cousin turned into an exclusive speakeasy sex club, which is completely off-limits to Mallory. Before I signed my first professional contract, my cousin roped me into investing money in this place. Much to my financial advisor’s disapproval, I agreed. On paper, I co-own it, but I’ve only stepped foot in here maybe three times, if that. This is Lucas’ baby, and he treats it as such. I’m more of the absent father who only comes around when he has time, which in my case, is never.
My sister thinks I’m here because it’s her birthday—and she definitely went a little extra hard with the guilt trip this time. Unbeknownst to her, I’m only here because some friends are in town and wanted to discuss a lucrative business opportunity. Otherwise, I would have stayed away from Fairview like I have the last two years. Year one in the league, I came home during the summer. Year two, I took the summer off and went to Europe. This year, I’m standing in my own nightclub, trying to avoidconversations with stage-five clingers like Gracie. I finally spot Ella on the other side of the room, and she has the audacity to smirk.
“Are you having fun?” Gracie asks.
“Not particularly.”
She laughs. “Do you ever have fun?”
“Not particularly.”
“We can have fundownstairs.” She sets a hand on my bicep and I cut her a glare that instantly makes her drop it. “It’s just … I haven’t seen you in so long and I know we’d be good together.”
“Wewouldn’t be anything together.”
“I think I can change your mind about that.” She arches her back slightly, making her tits, which are nearly spilling out of her top, brush against my arm.
My eyes drop to them briefly before I look away. I could, of course, walk away from her or go upstairs and watch the festivities from the comfort of the private office that overlooks the club. I won’t, though. I promised my sister I’d be here, and I’m staying until my phone buzzes in my pocket to tell me I’ve been here a full hour.
I look around again to see if I can find Hammie. He’s the one she should be talking to. They’ve already fucked, but I have no doubt he’d have another go at her. As I’m scanning the room, I hear a laugh that beckons my attention. The mystery woman. My sister’s smiling at whatever she’s saying. I’m not sure what surprises me more, the fact that I’m drawn in by this stranger or that my sister’s smile is genuine.
As if feeling my attention on her, Mallory glances over, sees Gracie standing with me, and makes a disgusted face as she looks away. The mystery woman turns slightly and my eyes snag on her ass again. Since I don’t live here, fucking her wouldn’t be completely breaking my rule. I’ve never seen her before tonight. Chances are I’ll never see her again after. My thought is interrupted as I watch a guy walk over and whisper something in her ear that makes her frown. I hadn’t even considered that she might have a boyfriend.
“I hate her,” Gracie says suddenly. I cast her a blank look. “The brunette in the tight pink dress. I can’t believe your sister likes her.”
“Who is she?”
“Josslyn Santos.” I ignore the disgust in her tone.
Josslyn. The name suits her. I can’t stop myself from asking, “Why do you hate her?”
“She’s a bitch.” Gracie’s lips pinch like she tasted something sour. Probably the taste of her own bitterness. “She played varsity basketball for Olympia, so I used to see her when we’d go cheer for the guys.”
“Basketball?” My brows furrow as I examine Josslyn. Even in heels, she’s not what I’d consider tall. “Really?”
“She thinks she’s hot shit.”
“Is she?”
“No.”
