I also wasn’t lingering on the fact that her lips were as soft as satin, or that I shouldn’t have kissed her again under the umbrella. Or the fact that she was so fucking responsive to me. I kept forgetting that she may be part of all the shit this program was trying to hide.
Did I regret the way she was pressed up against me right now? No. Not one damn bit.
That was the opposite of keeping my head down, even if it was about uncovering secrets. Dustin was right, shewasa tutor and would know if people were getting passes when they shouldn’t. Part of me resented that I was using her like this, but when she turned to look back at me — eyes wide, cheeks flushed under the string lights — I couldn’t bring myself to regret that Ihadbrought her here. Just the reason why.
Savannah stuck close at first, her arms wrapped around her like a shield. I could feel her scanning the room, taking it all in — the red plastic cups, the sticky floors, the players already half gone. It wasn’t her scene, not by a mile.
“You hate this,” I murmured, leaning down so only she could hear.
Her chin lifted. “I never said that.”
“You don’t have to. I can see it.”
She cut me a sideways glare, sharp enough to slice through the fog of cheap beer and sweat. “Maybe I don’t like loud, sweaty rooms filled with testosterone.”
I smirked. “Then why are you here?”
She muttered something under her breath that I didn’t catch. Probably a threat. Probably deserved.
Noah appeared with a couple of bottles of water, pressing one into her hand like he was offering her the crown jewels. She gave him a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes. I knew that look — she was already plotting her exit.
“Relax, Sav,” I said quietly, close enough that my lips touched the shell of her ear. “Nobody’s going to bite.”
Her lips twitched. “Funny. I could’ve sworn you did earlier.”
I froze for half a second, pulse spiking, and then forced a laugh that sounded way too casual. She was baiting me, and the worst part was — it was working.
“Yeah, well,” I said, leaning back just enough to study her face, “you didn’t exactly run.”
Her gaze locked on mine, steady and unblinking, and for a breath too long, the noise of the party dulled around us.
She broke it first, looking away to sip her water. “Maybe I should have.”
I realized then that getting her here was one thing. Keeping her here, keeping her close — that was going to be a whole different game.
“Spence!”
The shout cut through the music, and I felt Sav stiffen beside me. One of the cheer squad — Kara, I think — was weaving through the crowd, blonde ponytail swishing, all teeth and tan. She stopped right in front of me, ignoring Savannah completely.
“You’ve been quiet since the championship game,” Kara said, her voice pitched loud enough for half the room to hear. Her nails brushed my arm as if she had some right to touch me. “You disappearing on us?”
I shifted just enough to put space between us. “Busy,” I said flatly.
Her eyes flicked to Savannah then, quick and sharp. “Really? Her?”
Sav’s fingers tightened around her water bottle. Her expression didn’t move, but I caught the faintest flare in her eyes, and damn if that didn’t make me want to grin.
“Enjoy the party, Kara,” I dismissed, already turning back to Sav.
Kara’s smile faltered, and then she sashayed away, tossing her hair like she owned the room.
Savannah arched an eyebrow at me. “You’re popular.”
I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear. “You jealous?”
Her answering scoff was sharp. “Please. I’ve better sense.”
I should’ve laughed, but the way she said it — quiet, certain — made me want to lean in even more. My grin slipped into something smaller, realer, before I could stop it.
