She grabs my hand, dragging me behind her.
As we step into the crowd, I decide I’m not going to look over at him again. He’s not my business, and I shouldn’t give a shit about that redhead. She can have him.
A few songs in, a hand brushes my hip.
“Holy shit, are you trying to get someone killed tonight?” JT leans down to say in my ear.
“What?”
“Gabe’s gonna lose his goddamn mind from all the men staring at you in that dress.”
I chuckle, swatting him. “Shut up!”
His eyes meet Jess’s before he runs them down her body in the most obvious display. Nik said him and Katie split up a few weeks ago again, so maybe he’s actually moving on for real this time.
“Careful. She’ll eat you alive,” I laugh.
Jess is vicious. I don’t think any man has ever lasted more than a month with her.
“I must have a type.” He laughs, winking at her, but I’m still keeping tabs on what’s going on at the bar out of the corner of my eye. “Still not a fan of Lily?”
I glance at him over my shoulder to find him grinning and know I’ve been caught staring at them.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I flip my hair over my shoulder, smacking him in the face with it.
“Uh-huh, you were glaring for like ten minutes.” He laughs. “I think everyone knows how you feel.”
“I’m fine.”
He chuckles, his chest rumbling against my back. “You’re both so full of shit. If you think for one minute, he’d give Lily a second thought with you in the room, you’re crazy. You’ll always be his first choice even if you don’t want him.”
My breath catches in my throat. Wanting him is not the problem.
JT takes a step back from me, pulling his eyes away at the last moment to take in my sister. He licks his lips, gliding toward her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
She glares like she’s not interested, but then she proceeds to spin around and grind into him.
And that’s my cue.
My heels click against the floor as I walk off the dance floor, scanning the crowd. The place where Gabriel was sitting at the bar is now empty. I hate that I even notice, but I can’t help wondering if he went somewhere with her. A pang hits my stomach as Nik skips up behind me, grabbing my arm.
“Do you feel those holes Gabe’s been glaring into the back of your head all night?” she asks, pulling me with her to the bar.
“What?”Was he?“No, I didn’t even notice.”
She laughs. “I don’t know how. He looked like he might spontaneously combust. Shane went over and tried to talk to him, but his eyes never left you.”
“Maybe he’s just drunk.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so.”
I order a drink before turning to face her, holding it in front of me with both hands. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think I’ll ever stop loving him?”
Her smile turns sad, and she sighs. “I don’t know.”Running a hand down my arm, she adds, “Are you sure you want to? I’m not saying you should forgive him, but if it’s torture, is it really worth holding a grudge?”
