Chapter 13 Astrid
ASTRID
Arhythmic thump, thump, thump accosts my eardrums as I stand alongside Callan, holding his hand. “What the—”
A loud moan penetrates the flimsy wall between Thor’s room and the guest bedroom on the other side, halting me midsentence, before the rhythmic banging noise increases in volume. My cheeks pink as I realize what’s happening.
Callan chuckles, and the deep rumbling sound does funny things to my insides. His fingers flex against mine as he solidifies his grip on my hand. “Someone’s having fun.” He waggles his brows as his lips twitch, and I hate the flush on my face that refuses to disappear.
It’s no wonder his only interest in dating me is fake dating.
I’m under no illusion when it comes to Callan Hunt.
There’s no way a guy who looks like him is inexperienced.
I’m betting he’s been with lots of girls.
To him, I’m probably some na?ve little girl, blushing like a ten-year-old at the sound of a couple having sex.
“Scott!” Gwen screams his name so loud I’m sure they’ve heard her downstairs over the music.
Callan cracks up laughing while I snatch my hand from his grasp and cover my face with both hands. My skin feels inflamed, and I silently curse my bestie for making this awkward for me.
“Wow, your best friend sure is a screamer,” he adds as Gwen continues screeching Scott’s name.
Lowering my hands from my face, I hope the flush leaves my skin before we get downstairs.
“We should go.” Listening to my bestie having loud sex is not my idea of fun.
Some things should remain private between friends.
Taking his hand, I walk toward the door, trying to block out the screams, moans, and banging headboard coming from the next room.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed,” he says as I stride across the hallway, making a beeline for the stairs.
“I love Gwen, but listening to her have sex is not on my list of favorite things.”
“I thought Swedes were liberal when it comes to sex,” he teases as we walk down the stairs.
“I’m American,” I remind him, glancing back, “but yeah, Sweden is pretty open-minded about relationships, marriages, and sex. I’m all for free love and hooking up, and I would never shame anyone. You do you, etcetera. I’d just rather not know what my bestie sounds like when she comes.”
Callan cracks up laughing again. “That’s fair,” he replies as we reach the end of the stairs. I turn in the direction of the living room, my eyes widening when Callan’s arm wraps around my shoulders. He leans down, pressing his mouth to my ear. “Is this okay?”
“Of course. Sure.” My body naturally softens against him, and it’s no hardship being tucked into his side.
Callan escorts me into the living room, which has thankfully thinned out a little. I’m guessing Joe’s teammates left the party in solidarity, taking a chunk of the cheerleaders with them. Can’t say I’ll miss them. The vibe is more chill now, and the room is less stifling.
Nikki waves us over, and Callan makes a beeline for our friend group. Thor has his arms around Renee, and she’s swaying, looking a little glassy-eyed. Lyn is chatting to Jamie, a girl from my AP history class, while Nikki looks cozy with Riley, a guy from the soccer team.
“Dude. Sup?” Thor holds out his arm, bent at the elbow, and he and Callan do some elaborate bro handshake. Nikki arches a brow, her grin expanding as she notices how Callan is keeping me close.
I break free to lean in and hug her. “Girl, have you been holding out on us?” Nikki whispers.
“Not exactly,” I whisper back, being vague on purpose because I don’t know what I’m, we’re, doing. “What about you?”
“We’re just flirting.” She waggles her brows and releases me. Still clinging to cluelessness, I see.
“Hey, Astrid.” Riley smiles widely as he bundles me in a bear hug.
“Hey, Riles.” Riley is one of Thor’s best friends and one of the good guys.
He has a massive crush on Nikki, but she refuses to believe it, even though they’ve kissed a few times.
Riley still hasn’t plucked up the courage to ask her out, and at this point, I wonder if they’ll ever get their act together.
I’m wrenched from Riley’s embrace as Callan pulls me back, curling his arm around my waist and plastering me to his side.
“Astrid’s with me,” he growls, narrowing his eyes at his teammate.
His possessiveness has me swooning until I remind myself it’s fake.
He’s laying the foundations if I decide to agree to his suggestion.
“Dude.” Riley holds up his hands, smiling. “We’re just friends. Relax.”
“Let’s sit,” Thor says, steadying his drunk girlfriend as he leads us toward the seating area in front of the open fireplace.
He gets rid of the students sitting on the two leather couches, and we all claim seats.
Renee is perched in Thor’s lap, humming and swaying, while he looks her over in amusement.
Nikki and Riley are beside them, talking quietly, leaving Lyn, Callan, and me to claim the other couch.
“Where’d Jamie go?” I ask, looking around.
“Outside to her friends,” Lyn says, standing. “I’m getting a drink. Do you two want any?”
“I’ll take a water,” Callan says.
“Same for me.”
“You two are no fun,” Renee slurs.
“Bet you’ll reconsider that statement in the morning, babe, when you have the hangover from hell,” I say.
“Don’t care.” She snuggles into Thor’s chest, and he tightens his hold, staring at her like she hung the moon in the sky. Those two are crazy about one another, and I love how cute they are together.
I look away when they start kissing to give them privacy.
Heat from Callan’s thigh seeps into my skin through my jeans, warming me all over.
His spicy cologne tickles my nostrils, and his comforting arm around my shoulders lulls me into an altered reality.
One where this is real and we’re into one another.
“You don’t drink?” Callan asks, staring deep into my eyes.
“I do sometimes, but I’m being good tonight because I told your mom I’d help with the porch in the morning, and I have a shift at the resort in the afternoon.
I have zero desire to feel like I’ve been run over by a bus tomorrow.
” I wet my lips, and Callan’s greedy gaze homes in on my mouth.
Desire coils low in my stomach, and I discreetly squeeze my thighs together.
This right here is the exact reason why I should say no to fake dating, why I probably will.
Callan chuckles. “I don’t mind letting loose sometimes, but I agree with you. Hangovers are harsh.”
“I’m guessing you don’t drink alcohol during the soccer season.” It would fit his MO.
“I don’t drink much at all, even off-season, because I’m always training and working out.”
I feel the evidence of his gym dedication pressed all up against me. “You’re very disciplined and focused.” I’m sure my admiration rings out in my tone, but it’s the truth. I’m only finding more ways to like this guy, which is why fake dating has disaster written all over it.
“I could say the same for you.”
“You’re perfect for each other,” Lyn says when she reappears, catching the end of our convo.
She flops down on the couch beside me, handing over two bottles of water.
“I don’t know anyone in the whole of senior year more goal-oriented than you two.
” She winks at me before taking a sip from her beer.
“Lyn isn’t wrong,” Thor pipes up, sporting a smirk. Renee’s eyes are closed, and her head is resting against her boyfriend’s chest. Scooping her into his arms, Thor rises. “I’m going to put my Sleeping Beauty to bed. I’ll be back in a few.”
They walk off just as Gwen shows up holding Scott’s hand and grinning. She’s tried to tame her freshly fucked hair, but the sleek, glossy waves are no more. Her face is flushed, and she looks happy. Scott looks smitten, and I’m giddy with excitement for my friend.
Gwen pushes Scott down into the empty space on Lyn’s other side and sinks onto his lap, draping herself all over him. Scott beams at her, snaking his arms around her waist and holding her close.
“Ow, Gwen.” Lyn protests as Gwen accidentally elbows her, causing beer to spill down the front of Lyn’s dress.
“Sorry.” Gwen giggles, snuggling against Scott.
“Can’t you sit over there?” Lyn points to the space on the other couch beside Nikki and Riley.
“Thor’s coming back,” Gwen snaps, squirming on Scott’s lap. Her movement pushes her dress farther up her thighs, and she’s flashing a lot of bare skin. Scott’s eyes are out on stalks as his gaze trails up her legs.
A scowl forms on Lyn’s face. “You’re squashing me,” she fumes, barely avoiding an elbow to the face.
Callan grips my waist, lifting me onto his lap, and I almost forget how to breathe. “There.” He flashes Lyn a smile. “Problem solved.” His lips brush against my ear, sending a flurry of tremors cascading across my skin. “Relax, beautiful.”
Easy for him to say. He’s clearly not struggling to fight growing feelings for me. His hands land lightly on my waist as he slouches a little, sinking farther into the couch and getting more comfortable. I loosen my muscles and just go with it.
Scott and Gwen are kissing now, and his hand is possessive on her upper thigh.
The dress has risen so high the slightest movement will flash her panties to the room.
Lyn’s mouth purses in disgust as she watches them, and I’d really love to know what the hell happened between two of my best friends while I was in Sweden because I’m not immune to the tension that’s been evident every time they’re together.
This is more than their usual bickering. I’d bet money on it.
I look up at Callan, expecting to see him watching the amorous couple, but his gaze is solely focused on me. I blush, and his lips kick up at the corner. “By the way,” he whispers. “You look gorgeous tonight. Prettiest girl in the room by a mile.”
His compliment mushrooms in my chest, swelling my heart and flooding me with warmth. “Thank you. I was feeling a little underdressed when I got here.”
“You don’t need a tight dress or tons of makeup to look beautiful,” he murmurs. “You just are.”
If I’m not mistaken, that’s a blush stealing across his cheeks. He laughs to hide his embarrassment. “I’m not coming on to you, I swear. Friends compliment friends, right?”
I nod as confusion swirls inside me. Is he giving me mixed signals, or am I reading too much into things? “You shouldn’t feel less than any other girl just because you’re wearing jeans and they’re trying too hard in a skimpy dress. You’re perfect exactly the way you are.”
“Gwen! For fuck’s sake,” Lyn barks, and I whip my head around. “I can see your goddamn thong! Get a room or quit dry-fucking one another in public. Everyone can see.”
Gwen tears her lips from Scott, looking over her shoulder at Callan and me.
Lyn isn’t wrong. Gwen’s left butt cheek is visible because her dress is basically bunched at her crotch by now.
I dart forward, leaning over Lyn, tugging Gwen’s dress down over her thighs.
Gwen swings her gaze to Lyn. “You’re so uptight, Lyn.
Stop acting like a virginal prude and go get laid. ”
“Gwen!” That is way out of line. “That’s mean. Lyn is only looking out for you.”
“That’s what you think.” Gwen’s eyes roll a little, and her speech is slurred. I didn’t realize she was so drunk, but I’m not surprised. Gwen is a mean drunk, and she often says things she regrets the next day. I really wish she wouldn’t drink alcohol so much.
“I’m out.” Lyn slams her bottle down on the coffee table and stands.
“Lyn, don’t go.” I scramble out of Callan’s lap, chasing after her with Nikki hot on my heels.
“Lyn, wait,” Nikki calls out.
Lyn stops and spins around to face us. “I have studying to do tomorrow and that assignment for English, so it’s best I leave now before I drink too much or say something to Gwen I probably shouldn’t.”
“What is going on with you two?” I ask.
“Nothing. You know we don’t always see eye to eye, and she’s been pissing me off tonight. I wish she wouldn’t act like that.”
“You know things are rough for her at home.”
A bitter laugh bursts from her lips. “And there you go making excuses for her again.”
“Lyn.” Nikki eyeballs her. “Don’t take your bad mood out on Astrid.”
“Then let me fucking leave!”
“I love you,” I say, grabbing Lyn into a hug, wishing I could fix whatever is bugging her. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here for you.”
“I love you too, and I know that.” She hugs me briefly before walking off without another word.
“I hate that two of our friends are fighting.”
“Same, but I think we should stay out of it and let them sort it out themselves.” Nikki loops her arm in mine as we slowly walk back to the living room. “My mom said her parents are considering a divorce. I think things are rough for her at home right now.”
“Why hasn’t she said anything?” I ask as we head toward our friends. Gwen is now leaning across the couch, talking animatedly to Callan from her seat on Scott’s lap.
“It’s obviously hard for her to talk about it.
I’m sure she’ll tell us in her own time.
” Nikki sighs. “She’s not wrong about Gwen though.
She’s trashed and putting on a show she might regret in the morning.
Honestly, I’m shocked Scott isn’t intervening.
Maybe he’s had a personality transplant to go with his physical transformation.
I mean, look at her? If she leans forward any more, her tits are gonna pop right out of that dress. ”
When I reach Gwen, I block Callan’s view with my body while I discreetly fix the top of her dress, pushing her boobs securely behind the material. Her brow puckers as she stares at me. “You were about to fall out,” I whisper.
“You’re such a good friend, Azzie.” She smacks a loud kiss on my cheek before turning around and planting her lips back on Scott’s.
I laugh as I lower my butt onto the couch beside Callan. No one can ever say Gwen Wright is no fun. There is never a dull moment with her around.
“This party has been a real eye-opener,” Callan murmurs in my ear as his arm envelops my shoulders again.
“Honestly, this was kinda tame,” I admit, meeting his eyes. “Usually, there’s at least two fights and way more girl drama.”
He grins, and his whole face lights up. “I thought moving to a small town in Vermont was going to be boring. I’ve never been happier to eat my words.”