I take a long drink before I answer. “Thanks.”
“What are you thanking me for?” Brooks asks, a brow lifted.
“No,” I say, setting my bottle on the table. “I told Jasper thanks for opening the door.”
Gianna leans forward. “I take it we’re mad at Jasper?” When no one answers, she huffs. “Guys.Hello. I’m moving here, so I need the tea.”
Drake shakes his head as he slides an arm around her waist and whispers something in her ear that makes her cheeks flush.
“Jasper’s … all right,” Brooks says, searching for words to sum up the situation. “I don’t know what the fuck got into him. You’ve met Markie, the girl he was dating.”
Gianna nods. “Yeah. I liked her. She gives memevibes.”
“Jasper cheated on her,” Audrey says.
Gianna flinches, her eyes darkening. “We ride at dawn.”
“You aren’t riding anywhere.” Drake chuckles. “You can’t even see to drive at dawn. The sun must be all the way up for you to get your bearings.”
“That’s why I said weride,” she says. “You’re driving.”
I stretch my legs to the side, as my attention is pulled to the dance floor again. The song changes, and the new tune is a little slower. Mira’s cheeks are beautifully flushed as she heads toward the crowd. But before she can weave her way to the bar, Derrick Gaines takes her hand and pulls her back to the dance floor.
My breath holds as I watch his hand go to her hip, then slide around her waist, and then he pulls her closer to him. She swats at his shoulder, saying something that makes him laugh.
This is exactly why I don’t stick around. I should’ve already left.
Fuck this.
I finish my beer and then set it a little harder than necessary on the table. My fingers itch to remove him from her orbit, and my arms beg to wrap around her. I want her so badly that my body mistakes it for actual pain.
“Want another beer, Hartley?” Drake asks. “I’m going to take my chances at the bar.”
“I’m good. Thanks,” I say, keeping my eyes pinned on Mira.
I’ve gotta get out of here.My palm runs down my face as I come up with an excuse to leave, but just as I start to tear my eyes from Mira, hers find mine.
The room tilts beneath my boots. I don’t move because, if I do, I’m not sure where that will lead.
There’s a flicker in her expression at first, as if she’s surprised to catch me watching her. But that quickly transforms into a cheeky grin that causes my chest to tighten so hard that I nearly wince.
Still, I don’t get up. I don’t turn away. I don’t leave like I know I should. My ass stays in my seat as I watch Mira move around the dance floor.
Sit. Don’t go out there. She’s doing what she wants, and you’ve made peace with that.
I lift a brow as Derrick’s hand settles into the small of her back, which makes her smirk as she places her hand on his shoulder.
Heat crawls up my neck as Mira sways to the music, her gaze glued to mine. She might be in that bastard’s arms, but her attention—her mind—is clearly on me. It’s a dangerouspredicament, one that’ll torment me more later as I replay it for the hundredth time. We’ve been in this situation a few times over the years, and I always get up and walk away.
But what happens if I don’t?
Derrick’s hand drops and cups Mira’s ass cheek.
Guess we’re gonna find out.
I’m on my feet before I can make an informed decision about how to handle this situation, and I’m beside them before my brain realizes what I’m about to do. Mira’s eyes are wide—a bit wary but shining with amusement, as I take her hand from his shoulder and guide her to me.
“What are you doing?” Derrick asks, wobbling a bit in his shoes. The stench of alcohol can’t be missed. “Get out of here, Adler.”
