Chapter 7 #2
I kiss him back, my thoughts sluggish through the haze of alcohol and my racing thoughts of Brandon. And when I finally pull back and look in the direction he was standing, he’s gone.
It’s been nearly two hours since Brandon and the guys showed up. Two. Yet he’s barely spoken two words to me since he got me alone in the kitchen. So far, the evening has been an epic failure, but it’s not over, and I’m no quitter.
I wander around the backyard, weaving through the throng of people while I wait for Ethan to return from the bathroom.
Several frat brothers man the keg by the sliding glass doors.
I bypass them and the small crowd dancing to the beat of the music, including a raucous group of girls singing at the top of their lungs to Katie Perry’s “Firework.” A fire crackles in a steel drum several feet away, and I pause beside it, mesmerized by the glowing flames, before I tip the plastic cup in my hands to my lips and drain the last of my punch that’s long since gone warm.
I should probably slow it down, but every time I turn around, Ethan’s shoving another drink in my hand, and Brandon’s, apparently, too busy flirting his way through the party to notice.
My gaze drifts back to the sliding glass doors like a homing beacon to the spot where he’s standing, leaning against the deck and head bent low to hear whatever the leggy blonde he’s been talking to for the last thirty minutes is saying over the music.
She tosses her hair over her shoulder and laughs, placing one manicured hand on his bicep.
In return, Brandon smiles—that crooked smile that makes his eyes crinkle at the corners—and the blonde leans in a little closer.
My stomach churns with something dark and slimy as he whispers something in her ear that has her throwing her head back in laughter.
Tearing my eyes off him, I focus back on the crackling fire as somebody adds another log to the pyre. I’m not jealous, I tell myself. I’m frustrated. Frustrated that already my relationship with Ethan seems to be affecting what I have with Brandon. Frustrated they can’t just get along.
And afraid things are going to change.
I shudder and risk another glance at the same time he meets my eyes. I raise a hand in a small wave, feeling awkward as fuck. I’m not used to us being in the same place at the same time yet feeling worlds apart. But then he winks, and my stomach somersaults into my throat.
“Brought you another.”
I blink at the sound of Ethan’s voice, turning to my right where I find him, clutching a cup in both hands.
“Oh. Thanks.” I offer him a weak smile as he leans down and wraps his arms around me.
“Sorry to leave you waiting,” he murmurs into my hair.
His breath is hot and smells like beer, and I fight the urge to push him away as I find Brandon once again over Ethan’s shoulder, his back now turned toward me, the blonde gone.
“It’s okay,” I say when I pull away, smiling not because of Ethan, but because the blonde’s absence makes me happy.
Why am I like this?
Ethan takes a sip of his beer, glancing around the party before focusing back on me. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Already?” My pulse jackknifes at the thought of leaving so soon?before he and Brandon have had a chance to talk. Before we’ve had a chance to talk again.
Disappointment settles in my gut, heavy and unyielding, like the night is slipping through my fingers before it’s even begun.
So far, Brandon appears to be doing everything in his power to avoid my boyfriend, and Ethan seems as though he’s fine with it.
But knowing how I feel, shouldn’t they want to be friends?
“But we’ve barely gotten to hang out.” I nod toward Brandon, and Ethan groans.
“Listen, babe, I know you had this dream he and I would meet and become best friends, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen.”
“You don’t know that,” I say, hating how desperate I sound.
He laughs, and the sound sinks under my skin like razor blades. “I think it’s pretty clear. I’m sorry, babe, but you need to face facts. We’re just too different.”
Anger spikes in my veins, and I take a step back. “Maybe if you put in a little effort.”
While it’s true Brandon seems to be avoiding us, he showed up tonight because I asked him to. He could have easily gone to Bradd’s with the guys or stayed in, considering they have a game tomorrow. But he didn’t. He’s here, and Ethan’s not even trying.
Ethan sighs, staring down at me like I’m a petulant child. “I don’t need to know him, because I know plenty of guys just like him.”
I cross my arms over my chest, not even caring when I spill some of my drink on my shoes in the process. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Ethan shakes his head, lifting his hands in surrender. “Listen, I don’t want to fight with you. We can stay a while longer if you like.”
I bite my lip, letting my anger fade as I stare up at him, taking his compromise as a peace offering. “Really?”
“Yeah. Whatever you want.” He steps closer, lifting my free hand to his mouth and giving it a kiss. “Wanna dance?” He cocks his head, a sly smile curling his lips.
I hesitate, fully realizing he may have relented by staying, but he hasn’t agreed to talk to Brandon.
“You look beautiful, by the way.” His gaze flickers hungrily over me and a little of my hesitation fades. “Like, really, really beautiful.”
His words fill my chest like a sunrise breaking over dark water, pushing out my frustrations until they all but vanish.
How can I be mad when he looks at me like that? When he says things like that?
“Fine,” I say, allowing him to tug me to the dance floor. “Let’s dance.”