The cue ball cracks against the balls, sending them scattering across the table. Two solids drop into pockets.
"I thought you said you weren't good," Connor says.
"I said not well. There's a difference."
"Hustler."
"You offered to play." I laugh before taking another drink.
I move around the table, lining up my next shot. I miss. Connor steps up, leaning close as he passes me, close enough that I catch his cologne. Something woodsy. Very outdoorsy.
He sinks three stripes before missing.
"So," he says as I'm lining up my next shot. "What's the story with the ex?"
"No story."
"There's always a story."
I take the shot. Miss again. "We wanted different things."
"That's the diplomatic version."
"It's the true version."
He moves closer, leaning against the table beside me instead of taking his turn. "You know what I think?"
"I'm sure you're going to tell me."
“I think you're hoping that if you flirt with me long enough, maybe it'll hurt less."
“I guess we’ll find out.”
Chapter Seven
DECLAN
Amber's hand slides down my arm. One of her fake nails scrapes over the top of my hand. I know a seduction. She’s been working pretty damn hard for the last hour. She wants me in bed. I know her from a couple of parties. I don’t remember much about her, and I think that’s the appeal.
She's been talking for the last ten minutes, but I haven't retained a single word. Something about her sorority formal, or maybe it was her spring break plans. I don't know. I don't care.
"You're not listening to me," she says, but she's smiling, like my inattention is charming somehow.
"Sorry. Long night."
"I can help with that." She steps closer, and there's no mistaking what she's offering. Her body presses against mine, all curves and heat and intention. "We could go somewhere quieter."
I should say no. Every part of me knows I should say no. But there's this other voice in my head—the one that's been getting louder since I walked into this party—that says why not?Whythe hell not?Sutton moved on. She made her choice. I'm allowed to make mine.
"Yeah," I hear myself say. "Sure."
Her smile widens. Victory. She knows she's won something, even if I'm not entirely sure what game we're playing.
She takes my hand and starts leading me away from the fireplace and the crowd in general. We're moving toward the hallway. Her hand is gripping mine like I’m a child who might make a run for it. My chest tightens. I saw Sutton earlier, standing with Keira near the hallway. I pretended not to notice. Pretended I was too busy with Amber to care that she was here, in the same house and breathing the same air.
I want her to see that I’ve moved on. She didn’t destroy me.
But she's gone now. Probably left after watching Amber’s little display. I could have stopped her, but when I noticed Sutton noticing, I let it happen.
