29. Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Jamison
I didn’t want to be here doing any of this. But here I was, trying to make good with Lance, and he did exactly what he told me he wouldn’t. He invited Jayla and Ella Raye, and they showed up as soon as the other guys left.
“Hey, y’all,” Jayla said as they joined us and she placed her arm around Lance.”
Ella Raye gave me a shy smile. “Hi Jamison,” she said.
I puffed out a breath and took a sip of my bear as I nodded.
“Jayla and I are going to dance,” Lance said as he leaned toward me. He gestured with his head. “You should dance with Ella Raye. One dance won’t kill you.”
I glared at him as he walked away with a smirk on his face and his arm around Jayla’s waist. I reached for my phone and sent a text to Lilly to let her know our meeting was over and I’d love for her to be here.
“So, who ya texting?” Ella Raye asked.
“Lilly. Lance’s sister. She should be here eventually.” Being here with Lance and these two women was the last place I wanted to be. It wasn’t that Jayla and Ella Raye weren’t nice, or pretty—they were both—but I’d promised Lilly I’d see her later, and that’s who I wanted to be with. Thinking about her made my temperature rise. If she didn’t feel like coming out, I’d finish my drink and go see her.
The dance floor was full when Ella Raye grabbed my hand. “Come on. One dance. It’s not like I’m going to be able to take advantage of you with all these people around.” She raised her brows and pouted her lips. “Just one, and I won’t bother you again if you want to go.”
Her large blue eyes and dark lashes, along with those pouty lips, did me in. I wasn’t attracted to her in the least, but I could tell she wasn’t going to give up. I guess Lance was right. One dance wouldn’t kill me. “Okay, one dance.”
Ella Raye pulled me to the dance floor, and we squished ourselves next to Lance and Jayla. Ella Raye linked her arms around my neck, and we found the rhythm of the music. She sure didn’t hide her moves. She gyrated up against me, her hips rubbing against my crotch. I willed my body not to react to her movements, and so far, so good.
Every time she moved, I leaned away, but she continued. I wasn’t a college kid anymore, and this was a bit much. I didn’t know what she thought would happen, but a one-night stand wasn’t it.
The song ended, and a slow song began. I pulled my phone from my pocket to check for a message from Lilly. Nothing. Ella Raye already had her arms over my shoulders, so I took one of her hands in mine and put my other around her waist. This was better. More space and less gyrating.
“How old’s your daughter?” She closed the gap and yelled in my ear so I could hear her over the music.
“Five. She starts kindergarten in a couple weeks.”
“I saw her at the jamboree with the mini cheer squad. She has the most amazing auburn hair, and those curls!”
I smiled my thanks and tipped my head. Okay, Ella Raye might have been slightly annoying, but talking about my daughter was the right conversation.
Just then she closed the small gap between us and laid her head on my shoulder. I leaned away and jerked her a bit so she would lift her head.
Her eyes widened, and she leaned away a little. “Hey, it’s all good,” she said. Then a look I couldn’t decipher crossed her gaze, and before I knew what happened, her lips were on mine.
My eyes popped wide. The shock that went through my entire body wasn’t quite revulsion, but I knew it absolutely wasn’t pleasure.
I pulled back quickly and looked at her. “What the hell?”
“I don’t know.” Her smile faded. “I had an urge, and I couldn’t pass it up.” She shrugged.
I shook my head. “I told you there was someone else.” I went back to the table and left her alone on the dance floor.
“What was that about?” Lance asked with an annoying smirk on his face.
“What the hell, man?” I asked, seething with anger.
“What? You looked awfully comfortable on the dance floor. Maybe you should’ve enjoyed her kiss a bit more.”
“Why can’t you accept the fact that Lilly and I are together? I’m your best friend. We’re as close as brothers. Why can’t you be happy for me?” Anger filled my words, and my pulse pounded.
“Look,” Lance said. “I’m just letting you know there are other girls to replace Carly. You don’t have to waste your time on one with a broken heart like my sister.”
That was it. I clenched my jaw tight. If I opened my mouth, words I wouldn’t be able to take back would spew out. I was done with his bullshit.
I put my hands up to calm myself, and I felt the blood flowing through my veins. I really wanted to hit Lance. Hell, it wouldn’t have been the first time. But this time, the girl was his sister.
“Watch your mouth.” I stood tall. I was only about an inch taller than him, but his height never intimidated me. “That’s your sister you’re talking about.”
He squared up to me. “Yeah, you’re right. It is my sister I’m talking about.”
We glared at each other, and neither of us was going to back down.
But suddenly a hand was on my shoulder. “Jamison, you good?” I turned my head. It was Bryson.