2. Vance
CHAPTER 2
Vance
I quickly jerk my hand away to stop myself. Blair is my best friend’s little sister. She’s completely off-limits. Even though I have dreamed about having her in bed way too many times. She is the kind of girl that should not be single. That’s probably Jace and I’s fault. We have always been overprotective. In my case, for obvious reasons. Seeing her even look at another guy breaks my fucking heart. Every once in a while, I’ll catch her staring at me, but then I figure it’s just wishful thinking. In all the years I’ve known her, we have never crossed that line. Probably for the best, but fuck if given the chance, I’d leap.
The waitress returns with her drink, and she takes a generous sip. I watch her, amused. “Thirsty?”
“Just trying to loosen up for my big performance. You know without some liquid courage I get stage fright.”
I laugh. “Well, in that case…” I flag down the waitress. “Four shots of tequila, please.”
“Tequila?” she raises an eyebrow. “Are you trying to get me drunk, Vance?”
My eyes lock with hers and my dick twitches. “Maybe… but only so I can hear you sing.” Okay, so maybe that is a lie. I’ve noticed when she drinks, she is more playful. A side of her comes out that otherwise never makes an appearance. I can’t imagine how I’d rather spend my last night in the states for a while.
The waitress returns with our shots, and I raise mine. “To our next pop star.”
She clinks hers against mine, and down the first shot. I wince at the burn. Tequila is not my first choice, but I know she prefers it. We pick up the second and down that one too. She starts to fidget with her nails, a sign she is nervous. “So, you still seeing… what’s his name again?”
“I won’t say that asshole’s name. And now I haven’t seen him in months. I keep forgetting it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
The only question in my head is what did that asshole do to hurt her? I want to beat the fuck out of him. “Why’d you guys break up?”
She looks everywhere but me. “Found out he was cheating on me. Apparently, I wasn’t enough for him. Go figure.”
The alcohol is starting to kick in and my courage is getting better. “He’s an idiot. Honestly, I don’t understand how the fuck you aren’t taken. I mean look at you!”
Blair's eyes widen at my words, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. “Oh please, you're just saying that,” she says, but I can see the pleased smile she's trying to hide.
“I'm serious,” I insist, leaning in closer. The tequila is making me bold. “Any guy would be lucky to have you. You're smart, funny, gorgeous...”
I trail off, realizing I may have said too much. Blair is staring at me, her lips slightly parted. “Are you talking to anyone?”
She answers fast. “Nope.”
“Why not?”
She takes another sip of her gin and tonic. “Because I’m already in love with someone.”
I swear my jaw drops to the floor. Who the fuck is she in love with? Fuck, there goes my shot. I’ve waited too damn long. “Who?”
But before she can answer, they call her name.
“Looks like it’s my turn. Get me another shot for after.” She stands up and my eyes watch her pull down that tight little red dress that curves to the shape of her ass perfectly, and then walks up the stairs to the stage to perform her song.
Who is she in love with? The question burns in my mind as she takes the mic. The first notes of the song start playing, and I'm transfixed. Blair's voice is sweet and sultry as she begins to sing, her eyes scanning the crowd. When her gaze lands on me, she doesn't look away as she continues, and I swear the lyrics take on new meaning.
“I've been waiting, hoping, dreaming…Of the day you'd see me…As more than just a friend…When will this pretending end?”
My breath catches. Is she singing about...me? No, that's impossible. But as the song goes on, I can't shake the feeling that every word is meant for my ears.
When she finishes, the crowd erupts as usual. Blair gives a little curtsy and hurries off stage, making her way back to our table, but instead of sitting across from me, she sits right next to me. Giving me the perfect view of the red dress that inches up as she sits down. I wonder how soft her skin is? I quickly order another round of shots, needing something to steady my nerves.
“That was amazing. You killed it up there.”
“Thanks,” she says, the waitress dropping off our shots and we both down them. “God, I needed that.”
“So,” I start, trying to sound casual. “About what you were saying earlier...”
Blair's eyes meet mine, and there's an intensity there I've never seen before. “What about it?”
I take a deep breath. It's now or never. “The person you're in love with. Is it...is it me?”