Chapter 11
Lily
I’m using every tool in my arsenal to get Beck to laugh and come out of his shell, but the man has a face like a smacked arse.
And when he doesn’t look like someone just ran over his puppy, he’s gazing over at Trixie.
I’ve known this man my whole life, and I could see it from the moment he met Trixie back in high school; he practically tripped and fell in love with her, but for some reason, he closed himself off.
“Did you see that?” Beck hooks his arm around my back, hissing into my ear.
“See what?”
“He just clicked his fingers at Trix to follow him. What a dick.” He scowls as he watches Trixie follow obediently behind her new boyfriend, Ezra.
“If he did, then yes, he’s a dick.”
“He did.” His eyes are wild and a little crazy as he gazes down at me, and I momentarily regret bringing him as my plus one. I love this man like a brother, and right now he’s losing the plot.
“Look, Becky Boy.” I squeeze his shoulder lightly.
“I think we need to ease up on the crazy a tad. Let's get you a drink to calm your nerves.” Hooking my arm through his, I apologize to the group we’re with and pull him away toward the bar.
“Stop being a weird stalker.” He looks down at me with pain etched in his beautifully unique eyes.
They’re a deep shade of brown, but his left eye has flecks of gold.
“I just don’t trust him, Lils.” His hands ball into fists as he grits out his words.
“I know, babe—” A large hand rests on my shoulder, halting my step along with my words.
“Well, good evening, Chambers.” Oh, fuck my life. Why now?
“I’m busy, Diaz.” Brushing his hand off, I continue toward the bar.
“Marcus Diaz!” For the first time all night, my best friend of over twenty years lightens up.
I pinch the skin on his forearm, hoping to send him a hint, but the monster doesn’t feel it and pulls out of my grip to shake hands with the one person he knows I hate above all others. I need a new best friend.
“Nice to meet you.” Diaz’s bright smile takes over his face when he greets Beck. He’s in a perfectly fitted tux, with his wavy brown hair swept off his handsome face, which has the perfect amount of stubble, and my traitorous heart does a little flip.
“I’m Beck. This one's best friend.” He leans his head towards me, and I roll my eyes.
“You’ve been downgraded to an acquaintance, Becky Boy.” I scowl at Beck.
He throws his head back and laughs, actually laughs. I’ve been trying to get you to smile all evening, dickhead. Why does it take Diaz being in my presence for you to break out into giggles?
Spotting Kai off to the side, hiding his smile behind his trusty bottle of water, I make a beeline for him.
“Harris, care to buy me a drink?” Looping my arm through his, I drag him away from my Judas of a best friend and Diaz, the wankstain.
I inwardly giggle to myself at that new insult and make a note to call him that to his face at some point.
“Would be my pleasure,” Harris says as he falls into step.
“Come find me when you have finished fangirling. I'm sure you’ll be left as underwhelmed as the women he takes to bed.”
“You just let me know when you’re ready to test that theory, Chambers.”
“In your dreams, Diaz.” Chuckling, I weave through the crowd with Harris, who, when I glance up, is looking at me with a mischievous expression, and I don’t like it. “What?”
“Nothing.” He shakes his head as he pulls a bar stool out for me.
“That face isn’t nothing. Spill.” As he sits next to me before he orders me a vodka and coke. Impressed that he remembered my drink. “So… That look. What was it for?”
“You won’t let this go, will you?” I raise an eyebrow, and he blows out a breath. “Now don’t hate me, but I think this hatred you harbor for my boy, it’s fueling the passion you also have for him.”
“What on earth do you mean?” My brow knits together as I glare at him.
“For whatever reason, you have this deep-rooted hate for Marcus, which I think you have to explain to him at some point.” He eyes me and I roll mine. My eyes are getting a workout tonight. “But your heart and your head are at war. You like him.”
“No, I hate him.” My drink is placed in front of me, and I thank the server before turning fully to Harris.
“No, you just think you do because of whatever happened. But deep down, Lily Chambers, you don’t hate him. Deep down, you love to fight with him because he challenges you, and he makes your day a little less dull. There’s a spark in your eyes when you insult him.” He nudges my foot with his.
“You have it all wrong.”
“Do I? Because you’re sitting here with me, but your eyes are looking over my shoulder.”
“I’m checking on Beck,” I counter.
“Of course you are.”
“Stop trying to change the narrative, Harris.”
“I’m not. I’m just saying what I see.”
“I think you need glasses.” I don’t like the way this conversation is heading. Picking up my drink, I stand to escape. “Thank you for the drink, but I think I need to go and mingle. Have a good night.” I pat his shoulder as I leave.
“You too.” He nods, a knowing smirk plastered on his face.
I try to not make it too obvious that his words have rattled me. I do not like Marcus Diaz. I just think he’s hot; that isn’t a crime. Also, I’m not blind. There’s a reason he’s on billboards and the front of magazines. But just because I think the man’s hot doesn’t mean I want to sleep with him.
No, the fact that you’ve thought about him whenever you masturbate recently means you do.
Great, the voice in my head is now joining the debate.
His eyes are on me as I move across the ballroom.
Maybe I need that one night he keeps mentioning?
Like he said, to test out that theory and to rid myself of these feelings.
I know I want the happily ever after and my Mister Right, but that doesn’t seem to be what fate has in store for me at the moment, so what’s wrong with having a little fun?
Stopping by the silent auction table, I turn away from him, smiling to myself.
Stretching one leg out in front, knowing the slit will have revealed my thigh, I bend slightly at the waist to pick up one of the prizes.
Standing, I look over my shoulder and find his eyes fixed on my ass.
I arch my eyebrow at him, but all he does is shrug his shoulder.
I smile and shake my head, turning to put the auction prize back down just as a hand is placed on my lower back, heat radiating through me.
“Was that little show for me?” he whispers, his breath tickling my skin, causing goosebumps to erupt.
Smiling, I turn towards him. Our faces are mere centimeters apart, his hand is still splayed across my back, the feeling of his possessive touch has me arching slightly, pushing my chest out so the tips of my nipples, that have hardened at his sultry tone, graze against his chest. I don’t miss the hitch in his breath at the contact.
“Cute that you think that,” I purr. “You’re not the only man in the room, Diaz. ”
“But you’re the only woman in the room, Chambers.” His hand leaves my back, and I miss the warmth. He picks up the prize I was looking at—a stunning pair of drop ruby earrings—marks down his bid, and walks away. Not giving me another glance.
What the fuck just happened?