Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
BETH
I sit by patiently as Judy drinks at least three beers and introduces me to a few of the girls who are brave enough to try to talk to me.
Also, during that time, I had to fight off six—that’s right, six—jocks who looked at me like a hunk of meat to fight over. Ew. I’m not one to yuk someone else’s yum, but I do not like jocks, period. That may be Teigan and Delaney’s style, but not mine. Shawn was a musician and the hot stranger didn’t give off any athletic vibes. Sure, he’s ripped, but one can be without being into sports.
Do I need to mention the incredibly hot psychopath?
“You are a hot commodity tonight,” Arely comments as she flips her crimson-dyed hair over her shoulder. Arely is here because her boyfriend is another one of the hosts, Oisin McGowen, and apparently, all of the girlfriends stick together until they’re on the outs with their man. It’s quite the fickle group, but Arely is friendly.
“I’m the shiny new toy,” I joke dryly as I lift my beer can to my lips.
“That you are and…” she trails off before looking behind me, her eyes focusing on something or someone, but if I had to guess, I’d bet it’s the stranger who has been staring at me the entire time I’ve been here. I’m quite disappointed. Sure, I’ve been busy with Judy and need to be the one to make a move for my item, but I also expected a man like him to go in for the kill instead of watching me like a damn stalker. “Someone can’t seem to keep his eyes off you.”
I don’t turn around and Judy nods with a snicker. “Don’t say his name,” she whispers and I can tell she’s a lightweight. She’s not drunk but is affected and relaxed in this environment.
“Huh?” Arely quirks her eyebrow at us as Perla, the other Bastard girl, stands by, watching our exchange silently. This entire time, Perla hasn’t spoken, even in greeting. I’m pretty sure she’s mute since she did wave at me when she came over, but I won’t be rude by asking.
“I’m working off of a bucket list. I have to go through the entire party without knowing his name.” I don’t elaborate on the rest of it, but Judy can’t help laughing under her breath. “Are you ready to do your thing?” I press knowing it's a bit petty, but she needs something to make her smile. He isn’t worth her time if he makes a fool of her.
“That’s a bit of a weird thing to have on a bucket list, but I’m down for anything. Alright, I won’t say his name, new girl.”
She’s been calling me that no matter how many times I tell her my name. I guess it’s something we’ll have to work on long term.
“But, you should be careful. Casey is here and she goes absolutely feral when she sees anyone sniffing around Ni—him. Talk about crazy exes. Am I right?” She adds a playful edge, but I get the point. Shawn had a crazy ex-girlfriend too. She slashed my tires and threw a brick through my window. If I can handle that from my boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, I can take anything this Casey bitch throws at me.
“Shit. Here she comes,” Judy mutters under her breath. I move to her side, turning to face the threat, whatever it might be.
One thing I’ve learned is to never give the enemy your back. They’re more likely to stab it.
Judy and I lean against the keg as we watch Ronan and his friend approach, but I don't notice the petite blonde until right before the duo reaches us and wraps herself around the stranger who has stared at me non-stop.
His eyes go from full of light to murderous in half a second as he pushes her claws off of him. “Fuck off, Casey!” he snaps at her and, even though he said it with venom, I have no doubt I could use his voice alone to get off with no issues. It's so deep and thick with an accent that seems halfway between southern and Irish. I’ve never considered myself the kind of girl with an accent kink, but?—
“But, baby!” the girl pouts and I nearly vomit. Does she have zero self-respect?
“Dammit!” The word flies out without my consent and all eyes fall on me. Well, this is awkward.
“Butt out, bitch!” Casey sneers at me as the stranger pushes her away in a “fuck off” motion.
“One, bitch isn’t an insult at all. You seriously need to up your ammunition. Two, I just realized I lost the game.”
Perla and Arely laugh as Ronan and Judy join in. The stranger grins at me like that was the right thing to say. I sound fucking ridiculous.
The game? Yeah, I know what the game is, but I’ve never used it to benefit myself before.
“The game?” Casey twists her pretty face into something unrecognizable.
“New girl! You just made us all lose the game!” Arely laughs as she clutches her stomach.
“Great job, Bellatrix,” Judy mutters and I glare at her.
“It’s Beatrice.”
She gives me a look . I know it’s a game and play along with it.
“It’s not Bellatrix?”
“I’d rather die than be named after Le Strange, Jasmin.” I roll my eyes.
“It’s Jane,” she retorts.
“Are you sure?”
She shrugs. “It’s on my birth certificate.”
“Well, shit. I already got the friendship bracelets engraved at Claire’s. They have the names Bellatrix and Jasmin.”
“I thought you hated the name Bellatrix?” she asks, but I can see she is barely holding in her laughter.
“Why would I hate it? It goes so well with Jasmin. Plus, whatever guy or girl is cursed to fall madly in love with me will already think I’m the scum of the Earth. The only way to go is up.” I shrug with a goofy smile.
“He’ll have to be a complete idiot, Bianca.”
“Absolutely bonkers, Janet.”
We both grin before we burst out laughing.
“You both are freaks!” Casey hisses at us, but I’m unaffected. However, Judy is upset by it, even though she tries to hide it. We stop laughing instantly.
“Shut the fuck up, Casey!” Ronan practically growls at her, his eyes full of fury. “Get the hell off our property or you’ll find out what we do with trespassers.”
I smirk as my eyes turn to Judy, who is stunned by Ronan standing up for her. I guess he likes her too, or maybe he’s just a decent guy. Either way, I approve.
“Ni—”
“Don’t even try it. Leave.” The stranger sneers at her, cutting her off before she can utter his name and I breathe a sigh of relief.
The bitch groans aloud before stomping off, leading herself off their land like a snotty little brat. I really hope she isn’t one of those “hoity-toity” types Judy was talking about earlier and she’s just a spoiled brat. There is nothing more insufferable than someone who thinks they can buy anyone or anything with a swipe of their Amex card.
“Who wants a beer?” Arely pipes up as she juggles three unopened cans.
I lean into Judy’s ear. “Now’s your chance, Jasmin.”
She groans as Ronan grabs a can of beer from Arely. Before he can open it, Judy walks up to him, grabs him by his shirt and slaps a sloppy one across his mouth. The man is too stunned to even blink.
I almost laugh at his shell-shocked expression as his finger remains on the tab, but before he can do anything, Judy pulls back, grabs my arm and dashes toward the house.
I manage to catch the smile growing across his face before she drags me in through the back door.
“I hate you,” she grumbles as we enter the kitchen.
“Come on. You enjoyed that and so did he.”
“He didn’t do anything!” she snaps.
“You didn’t see the shit-eating grin on his face just now? You made his day, babe. You go, girl!” I throw my head back, howling with joy for my friend. It worked out. She doesn’t see it yet, but she will.
“He…did?” She stops us in the small kitchen with busted-up floors, cracked walls and a sink full of dishes.
Well, this is what happens when five young men live in a house by themselves, especially teenagers. Are they teenagers or adults? I’ll have to ask Judy later if I can remember.
Her eyes are full of hope and fear. It breaks my heart to see her so uncertain.
“Yes. He was probably just waiting for you to make the first move. You did it. Now, you just need to talk to him. Close the deal, Judy.” I know she’s freaked out, but if she gives herself a moment, she’ll be ready for this and so glad she took this leap in the morning.