4. Chase
Chase
I’m pretty sure Steele is on his fourth beer and half-baked from the secondhand smoke.
We’ve been here an hour and everyone’s already pretty rowdy.
I’m so fucking on edge. I’ve been looking at the front door all night. Waiting for her.
I see her all the time. But something about her coming here tonight feels different. I don’t know why. It just does.
“What do you keep looking at?” Steele follows my attention to the entryway.
“Nothing,” I say, rolling my shoulders and taking a sip of water.
“If you say so.” He peers into my cup. “Man, why are you always drinking water?”
“Because I don’t feel like getting shitfaced tonight.”
He guffaws. “Why not?”
I roll my eyes.
“Dude, we just graduated. Loosen up a little.”
“I’m am.”
“Suit yourself,” he says, shrugging. He does a double take in the direction I’ve been looking all night. “Oh, shit. Addie’s here.” A pause. “Oh, shit. Is that Summer Hayes with her?” He laughs. “Damn! Where the hell has she been hiding?”
“What?” I say, my eyes darting to the door.
My pulse hammers. Time slows.
Suddenly, everyone around me evaporates and all I can see is her.
She’s—fuck, beautiful feels too small for what she is. No word I know quite fits her.
Her long hair is down and wavy. Like she’s spent extra time on it. Her eyes look darker, bigger—some kind of eyeshadow thing, maybe. But I can still see her freckles.
I love those freckles.
That dress. God. That dress. She usually just wears baggy jeans and relaxed tees, but this? This shows off her collarbone, the dip of her waist, and ends mid-thigh.
I’m way taller than her, but those strappy heels make her legs look … yeah. I need to stop looking at her legs.
Someone bumps into me, but I barely notice.
I watch as Summer slowly takes in her surroundings, eyes moving over the crowd until—
The moment our eyes lock, it’s as if someone strikes a match. Flames lick at my skin as she holds my gaze for a brief second.
Are her cheeks turning red?
“You’re so screwed, Whitmore,” Steele says, leaning into me.
“What?” I ask, even though I know exactly what he means.
“She looks good. Better than good.”
My grip tightens around my cup. “I guess so. I didn’t really notice.”
She’s the only thing I noticed.
He snorts. “Sure you didn’t. That’s why you’ve been staring at the door the last hour.”
I shake my head. “Whatever.”
“There she is,” Steele says, stepping in front of Addie and opening his arms. “Hey, gorgeous.” Addie doesn’t hesitate before looping her arms around his neck and tugging his head down for a kiss. His hand drops to her ass.
I rub the nape of my neck. “Hayes.”
“Whitmore.” She catches her bottom lip between her teeth. She’s nervous. It’s cute.
I move in for the hug, which she accepts. She fits perfectly. She always does. I need to stop noticing that.
“You look beautiful,” I murmur into her hair. I feel her fingers curl slightly into my shirt before relaxing. “Taller than usual too.”
She steps back. “Thanks. It’s these stupid shoes. They’re Addie’s. I can barely walk in them.”
I chuckle. “You’re fine.”
She tucks her hair behind her ear. “You look good, too, by the way.”
“And we all know I look really good,” Steele says, which earns him a few laughs.
I spot Cody behind Summer. “Hey, man,” I say, offering him my hand.
“Whitmore,” he says, giving it a shake.
I don’t really know Cody, but he’s cool. He floats between groups and seems to get along with everyone. I know he likes Summer. He’s always nice to her, and that’s good enough for me.
“Shitmore,” Addie says by way of greeting.
“Walker,” I reply, matching her tone.
“Hey, dude,” Steele says to Cody, giving him a man hug before addressing the group. “You guys want a drink? Beer? Vodka?” His eyes turned sinister. “Tequila?”
Summer scrunches her nose and I bite back my smile.
“Where’s Xavier?” Addie asks.
“Went out back to play beer pong,” Steele replies.
“In that case, yes please! I’ll have vodka,” Addie says. “Is there any cranberry juice?”
“Yeah.” Steele points to Summer and Cody. “You guys want?”
“I’ll have a beer. Thanks,” Cody says.
“I’m good,” Summer says, her lips tipping up.
“Summer!” Addie whines.
“Ugh. Just one of whatever Addie’s having,” Summer says.
Steele prepares and then passes everyone their drinks.
“Well, as lovely as this little reunion has been, we’re going to dance,” Addie announces, looping her arm through Summer’s and leading her onto the dance floor, drinks in hand. “You coming, Cody?”
He nods and turns to us. “Catch you guys later.”
Summer shoots me a smile, which I return, and then she leaves.
I shouldn’t, but my eyes drift to Summer’s hips as she walks away. I’m not the only one. Every other guy in the room is doing the same thing.
A muscle in my jaw ticks as I toss back the last of my water.
Yeah. It’s going to be hard keeping my emotions in check tonight.