Текст книги "Slow Play"

Автор книги: Monica Murphy

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“…definitely not one of your finest moments, my friend,” Shep finishes just before he and Gabe collapse into fits of laughter.

The bastards.

I glare at them. We’re at our usual breakfast haunt. Monday morning, bright and early, the place packed with college students like us. We’re sitting in a booth near the back, all three of us having nine o’clock classes so we tend to meet weekly.

Lucky me, they’re mocking my ass over what happened at the Halloween party.

“What did you say to her anyway?” Gabe asks once he’s composed himself. Shep’s still chuckling and I throw him a dirty look before I answer.

“I told her we didn’t need to fit to—fuck,” I say deadpan, causing them to start laughing all over again. “Listen assholes, it’s not that funny.”

“The look on your face and how pissed you are over this makes it pretty fucking funny,” Gabe says, shaking his head. “Why would you say that to a girl as hot as Alex?”

“Better not let Lucy hear you say that,” Shep warns, nudging Gabe in the ribs.

Gabe shrugs. “My relationship with Lucy is solid. She’s the one who’s in my bed every night. She has nothing to worry about.”

I contain myself so I don’t make a face or say something rude. He’s so sprung over Lucy it’s almost painful to witness. He gets this dreamy look in his eyes every time someone even mentions her name.

It’s pathetic.

“I wouldn’t describe Alexandria as hot,” I say, silencing them both. They stare at me as if I’ve gone insane. “She’s…beautiful.”

The slow smile I see forming on Shep’s lips makes me want to smack it off. “Uh, oh. You have a thing for Kelli’s friend?”

“Didn’t you make out with Kelli?” Gabe asks.

I practically growl with frustration. “One time. One mistake. It lasted all of five minutes, if that, and then we realized real quick that way led to nothing but madness.”

“And you think we’re dramatic.” Shep rolls his eyes. “You’re the one making out with Jade’s best friend and getting beer dumped on your head by her new friend.”

“Kelli and I kissed months ago,” I stress. “I barely remember it. It was nothing.” Truly, it was. I have no interest in Kelli like that. Hell, she wanted Gabe for a very brief moment in time. Girl was pretty much flailing after getting dumped by her loser ex-boyfriend.

Perfect example of why relationships suck. They never end well, and when they do? Someone—or the both of them—end up spiraling out of control.

“Were you trying to pick up Alex?” Gabe asks.

“Is it Alex or Alexandria?” I don’t know if I like thinking of her as an Alex. That’s a man’s name. And she’s the farthest thing from a man.

Gabe shrugs as Shep answers, “She usually goes by Alex. That’s what Jade told me.”

“Do you know her?” I look at Gabe.

“I talked to her last night for a while.” He smirks. “After the beer-dumping incident.”

Traitor. I want to ask if she said anything about me but I keep my mouth shut.

“She asked what your deal was,” Gabe adds.

So she did talk about me. I can’t help but like this. He says nothing else and neither do I. All three of us shovel our mouths full of food, then take sips of coffee. Shep chugs a glass of ice water and still we don’t say anything.

Finally I can’t stand it any longer.

“What did you tell her?”

Gabe wipes his mouth with a napkin. “I told her you were a horn dog with a capital H and D and that she should steer clear.”

Great. “You made me sound like an asshole.”

“You are an asshole.” Gabe points at me. “I’m not going to piss off the girls by allowing you to snare one of their friends into your temporary trap. Jade and Lucy both said she’s really nice. Kelli mentioned that Alex doesn’t talk much about herself, but she seems lonely and she likes her. They want to bring her into the fold. You’re not allowed to touch any girl within the fold.”

“I touched Kelli,” I point out.

“And look how well that worked out.”

I say nothing because Gabe’s right. Kissing Kelli had been a mistake. Luckily enough, she felt the same way and it hadn’t made things weird between us. “This is going to turn into an I-want-what-I-can’t-have situation, you know.” I probably shouldn’t have admitted that but what’s done is done. Denial is not a part of my vocabulary. Them telling me Alexandria is off limits?

Makes me want her that much more, despite the beer dumping incident. Despite her disgust with me, and the stupid things I said. I regret nothing, but what I said to Alexandria to make her dump her warm, foamy beer on my head?

I regret it. It was callous and cold and I can’t blame her for what she did.

Gabe and Shep send each other a look before they turn their attention to me. “We know what that’s like,” Shep says slowly.

“Right,” I snort, taking another sip of my still hot coffee.

“It’s exactly how I felt when I started to fall for Jade,” Shep adds.

My appetite disappears. Just like that.

“I denied myself from going after Lucy for way too long,” Gabe says, shaking his head. “We played a real back and forth game. Drove me insane with wanting her.”

Last thing I want to hear. I shove my plate away from me. “I’m done.”

The matching incredulous expressions they share would’ve been amusing any other time. Not right now. None of this shit they’re telling me is funny. “But you barely ate,” Shep points out. He sounds oddly like my mother, the freak.

“Lost my appetite,” I mutter as I toss my napkin onto my plate. “I need to go. See you guys later?”

“Yeah,” they both say as I slide out of the booth and make my escape out of the diner.

The cold November air smacks me in the face when I walk outside, reminding me that winter is indeed coming. I huddle my face into my hoodie as best as I can and hurry across campus, heading to class. Girls smile and nod at me as I pass by and I smile and nod back. My reputation follows me everywhere I go and normally I love it. I strut like a fucking peacock, wanting the girls to flock to me. They all say the same thing, over and over again.

He’s a flirt. He’s got a big dick. He’s good in bed. He’s a sex god. He’s charming. He’s funny.

Those are the good things. But they say other things too.

He’s selfish. He goes through women like toilet paper. He’s cold hearted. Mean spirited. He drinks too much. He uses girls and tosses them aside.

Shame hits me and I mentally shove it away. I’m in college. If I want to be selfish and fuck around, I have every right. I shouldn’t care what other people think, especially jealous, vengeful girls who are pissed at me for not being into them long enough to want to stick around.

My gaze snags on a blonde up ahead and I slow my steps, contemplating her. She’s thin and willowy, just like Alexandria. Her hair streams down her back, the morning sun glinting it with threads of honey gold and I swear to God my heart picks up speed when I think it might be her.

But when she turns left at the next building, disappointment threatens to swallow me. It’s not Alexandria. My reaction to the possibility was way over the top.

And fucking scary as hell.

“Can I ask you a question?” I pluck at an imaginary thread on the inside seam of my jeans, my head bent. I feel super dumb for asking this but the words have hung on the tip of my tongue since the night of the party. I just didn’t know how to approach it. Approach her.

“Go for it.” Kelli pauses and I glance up to meet her gaze. “This isn’t about the latest chapter, is it? Because I don’t get the new formula.” She sighs and leans back against her seat. “I’m going to fail this stupid class, I know it.”

We’re in the library, hidden away on the fourth floor, our statistics books spread out before us on a table. We don’t know what the hell we’re doing but we’re muddling through. We have a test at the end of the week and I know Kelli’s nervous about it.

So am I. But I’m more nervous to ask her what’s been on my mind and I hope she doesn’t hate me for it.

“It’s not about the chapter.” I wave my hand at our books, grimacing. God, I hate math. “It’s about…Tristan Prescott.”

Now I have Kelli’s full attention. Her gaze narrows and her lips curl in this mischievous smile that makes dread coil in my stomach. “What do you want to know?”

I swallow hard, my throat dry. I told myself I didn’t want to know anything. He made me so angry when he made that casual remark Saturday night. Who says things like that?

Do we need to fit to fuck?

I’m getting mad right now just thinking about it.

“Were you two ever…together?” My words are tentative, unsure and I want to smack myself. The Alex of old would never be hesitant to ask her friend a question about a guy. I was always bold. Sometimes too bold. I had a very I-don’t-give-a-shit attitude and it got me into trouble more than once.

But now, I’m reserved. Quiet. Private. I don’t want people to figure me out. I’d rather tell them what they want to know and if I never tell them?

Then they didn’t need to know anything.

Kelli, I’ve let in. Somewhat. Her friends Jade and Lucy? I like them too but I don’t know them well enough to say much of anything yet.

So I keep my lips sealed. For now.

Kelli giggles and shakes her head. “No one is ever ‘together’ with Tristan. He fools around with girls but he never dates them.”

Of course. His remark makes even more sense to me. I hope his hair—his thick, rich brown, soft-looking hair—still smells like beer.

“Did you two then…” I wave a hand, feeling like a fool. I don’t want to say the words out loud. That might make them real. Because if Kelli’s ever—ugh, fucked Tristan Prescott then forget it.

Forget. It.

“No. We never.” Kelli waves her hand much like I just did. “Here’s the deal. One night, I was down in the dumps over my boyfriend breaking up with me. Tristan was flirting with me the entire night, trying to make me feel better. We drank. A lot. I started hanging all over him and the next thing I knew, he was kissing me.”

I wait for more but she says nothing. Just resumes working on her homework, her pencil scratching over the paper annoyingly loud in the quiet of our section of the library.

“So that’s it?” I ask when I can’t stand it any longer.

Kelli laughs and turns to look at me. “What else can I say? The kiss was…bad. Awkward and weird and we concluded fast that we’re better off as just friends.”

“He’s a bad kisser?” I frown. He has nice lips. Well, they’re better when he’s keeping them shut because oh my God, he says the worst things.

“No, it just…it wasn’t right. There was no spark, no chemistry. It felt like kissing my brother.” She mock shudders for emphasis.

I have no brotherly feelings toward Tristan Prescott whatsoever. Mild irritation yes. Amusement, that too. Total anger, oh yeah, that came at me in spades when he made that shitty comment.

But I’m not mad anymore. I wouldn’t mind talking to him. Getting to know him.

He is the last person you should be getting to know. He’s like every other asshole you’ve gone out with in the past. You don’t need another rich, arrogant prick telling you what to do.

Sitting up straighter, I pull my book toward me, ready to focus on what actually needs to be done—my homework.

“Why are you asking about him?” I glance over at Kelli and she sends me a look. “Are you interested?”

“No,” I say firmly. Honestly. That little pep talk in my head did the trick. “He’s cute. But he’s not my type.”

“That’s never stopped anyone before,” she says dryly.

I glance up to meet her gaze. “I’ve had my fill of cocky rich boys,” I tell her. “He’s the type who’s all talk and no action.”

Kelli laughs, so loud she immediately clamps her hand over her mouth. “He’s a lot of talk and action,” she says once she drops her hand. “At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

Yikes. I don’t need to hear this. Doesn’t help that I haven’t had sex in what feels like forever. When your personal life falls apart all around you, you tend to forget about satisfying your needs. Not that any guy I knew prior to the collapse of my family’s life would’ve touched me after everything that happened. I quickly became a pariah by association.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

“Not seeing anyone at the moment?” Kelli asks after we’re quiet for a few minutes.

I press my pencil so hard against my paper the lead point breaks off. “I’m trying to concentrate on school.”

“We all say that when we’re not getting any action.” I glare at her and she sticks her tongue out at me, making me laugh. “You should come out with me tomorrow. It’s Thirsty Tuesday.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be Thirsty Thursday?” I ask.

“Tomorrow is Tuesday,” she says slowly, like I don’t get it. “And my favorite bar does Thirsty Tuesday and Thursday. A double whammy.” Her face brightens. “It’s Ladies’ Night tonight. We should go.”

“It’s already so late…” My voice drifts. I was really looking forward to snuggling up in my bed and watching old Friends episodes on Netflix tonight. Or maybe Sex and the City.

“What, have you turned into an old lady? Come on.” She nudges me with her elbow.

“Yeah, come on. Ladies’ Night is the best.”

The deep male voice makes us both jerk our heads up at the same time. My heart falls to my stomach then immediately starts to pound when I see who it is.

Tristan Prescott.

“Are you sick? What are you doing in here?” Kelli asks incredulously.

“I have a paper due. And I’m supposed to include a real, actual book in the bibliography.” He holds up a book. “The professor is trying to teach us about the value of living without the Internet.”

Kelli snorts. “As if. Funny you should appear. Alex and I were just talking about you.”

I kick her under the table. Hard. She mutters a curse and sends me a glare as I smile serenely at Tristan, who is blatantly checking me out.

I feel warm under his gaze and blatantly check him out in return. He has on jeans and a navy blue hoodie. His hair is windblown and his jaw is covered in scruff. He screams sexy. My oversized black sweater and ratty jeans don’t scream sexy. More like they scream I don’t care. Well, the sloppy bun on my head and lack of makeup also scream I don’t care.

Great.

“Talking about me, huh?” He smiles, his gaze directed on me. “That’s promising.”

“She wanted to know if we’d ever…”

I kick Kelli again and this time she curses. Loudly. “Shit, Alex, that hurts.”

“Shut up,” I mutter.

Tristan starts to laugh. “That was a mistake,” he tells me, his gaze never straying. “The kiss. No offense, Kel.”

“None taken,” she answers quickly.

“You should go out tonight,” he says as he stuffs his hands into his pockets. “My treat.”

“The drinks are half off,” Kelli says. “That’s why he’s offering.”

“I shouldn’t.” I wave a shaky hand toward the statistics book. “I’m nowhere close to being finished.”

“I’ll help you.” He pulls out the chair closest to me and settles in, then tugs the book toward him. “I took this class.”

“You fail it?” Kelli asks.

“I got an A,” he says easily, snatching the paper out of my hands and glancing it over before lifting his gaze to mine. “I can help you. Both,” he adds.

“That would be great,” Kelli gushes as she scoots her chair closer. “Alex and I are totally lost.”

“You don’t mind?” he asks me, his voice quiet.

I stare into his blue eyes, the earnest expression on his face. Is he trying to make up for his earlier slip at the party? Helping me with this shitty class would be awesome, but will I be able to concentrate with him sitting this close? What if he wants to keep helping us? I mean, why would he want to torture himself with statistics. Maybe he’s some weirdo who actually likes math.

“I don’t mind,” I finally say, my voice soft. “We really need the help.” Heavy emphasis on the word we.

“I’d be glad to help,” Tristan says. “But you have to come with us to Ladies’ Night afterward.”

“He likes to pick up on all the ladies,” Kelli adds.

“Shut up, Kel,” Tristan mutters. “What do you say, Alexandria?”

I like how he says my full name. I like how he looks at me. I shouldn’t. I should tell him to go fuck himself and leave. But I need help with this stupid class…

“Okay.” I lick my lips, notice the way his eyes track my every move. Pressing my thighs together, I lean forward and focus on the open textbook. “But no promises until you teach me this latest formula. I seriously don’t get it.”

“I’ll teach you,” he says confidently. “I’m good at math, particularly stats.”

He is one of those math weirdoes. Ugh. “I’m sure you could teach me a lot of things,” I say sarcastically, surely stealing his line. A few guys have said that to me a time or two before.

“I could.” His lips curve in the barest smile and my heart flutters. “Watch me.”

Somehow, I was able to concentrate as Tristan went over the chapter Kelli and I were stuck on. After he broke down a few examples, showing us step by step how to get to the answer, I think I actually got it. When I did one on my own—all the while Kelli was too busy texting someone to bother actually trying to learn—he actually touched me when I got it right.

“Good job,” he’d said as he rested his hand over mine for the briefest, most heart pounding moment of my life. That quick touch had nearly given me a heart attack.

Stupid, I know.

The minute we finished our homework, I escaped, promising Kelli and Tristan I would meet them at The Advantage, a bar not too far from campus. I’d never been there. Since arriving in Santa Augustina, I’d kept my head down and my mind focused. School, studying, home. Despite the financial downfall that destroyed my family, I had a trust that was earmarked for my education that no one could touch, thanks to my grandma.

But the money was dwindling. Upper education is expensive and for the first two years, I went to a private college. I switched to a state university, found a house that came with three other roommates and secretly sold off my designer purses on luxury consignment websites. I make a killing doing that. I have a lot of Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags in storage. Designer clothes and shoes too, but I’m holding on to some of that.

Why, I don’t know. Not like I have anywhere to wear that stuff. It’s hard enough, trying to figure out what to wear to the bar. I didn’t want Tristan to think I’m trying to impress him. I didn’t want him to think I’m a total slob either.

So I chose my tightest jeans and a fitted black sweater, along with knee high black leather boots I bought at Saks on a shopping excursion with my mother.

Longing filled me as I twirled this way and that in front of the full-length mirror I picked up at Wal Mart for cheap. I miss her. I miss Dad too. Despite how awful they were to me in the end. When everything first went down, I desperately wished for a sibling. So I could have someone to share the burden with me.

Now though, I’m over it. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone.

I walk to the bar since it’s not that far from my house and of course, the first person I see is Tristan, standing outside on the front steps, his hand cupped around his mouth as he lights a cigarette.

Ew.

“You smoke?” I say in greeting as I clomp up the steps. I’m sort of pissed.

And disappointed. I mean really? Smoking? How…gross.

Like I should care.

He snuffs out his lighter and shoves it in his pocket, the cigarette dangling from his sexy mouth. I should not find the smoking thing hot. Absolutely not. But he looks like a total bad boy standing outside with the wind blowing through his hair, wearing a gray thermal long sleeved shirt and jeans. No jacket. The fabric molds to his shoulders and chest almost lovingly and my gaze lingers on his torso for a beat too long.

“You walk over here by yourself?” He sounds just as pissed as I feel. “I don’t like that.”

My spine stiffens at his tone. “I’m literally three blocks away.” I point in the direction I came from before turning to face him once more. He’s sucking on that cigarette as if his life depended on it, blowing smoke out of the side of his mouth before he inhales yet again.

“Doesn’t matter,” he says once he pulls the cancer stick out of his mouth. “Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be out walking alone.”

“I’m not a defenseless female,” I tell him, resting my hands on my hips. He’s infuriatingly sexy. His worry for my safety should not make me feel protected. More like I should be angry because he believes I’m helpless.

“Never said you were.” He inhales so strongly I swear I hear the crinkle of the paper burning on his cigarette. Yikes.

“You okay?” I peer at him, noting his agitation.

“I only smoke when I’m nervous.” He flashes me a quick smile as he pulls the cigarette from his mouth, pinches off the burning end with his fingers and then tosses it into a nearby trash container. “Ready to go inside?”

Without bothering to protest, I enter the bar as he holds the door open for me, dying to ask him why he’s nervous. He steps directly behind me, his hand going to my lower back as he guides me through the crowded bar. His fingers seem to burn through the fabric of my thin sweater and I wish I could shake him off but that would be rude. Instead, I turn to face him, his hand streaking over my side and across my middle with the action, making me shiver.

“W-where’s Kelli?” I ask, my voice shaky.

He leans in close, his lips parted. I see the flash of a white, square mint in his mouth and I wonder when he popped it. “What did you say? I can’t hear you.” His lips are right at my ear, so close I can feel his warm breath.

Someone walks by us, jostling me right into Tristan and we collide, my hand coming up to rest against his chest. His heart seems to throb beneath my palm, steady and fast and I look up at him, no doubt offering him a glimpse of the surprise and wonder that I know is filling my gaze. “I asked where Kelli is,” I yell at him.

He smiles. God, he’s so warm. And attractive. Scarily attractive. He smells faintly of soap, the outdoors and a whiff of cigarette smoke. It’s an intoxicating combination, as surprising as that is. His hand somehow returns to my lower back, fingers splayed, palm pressed firmly. I try to step away but there’s nowhere else for me to go unless I want to run directly into his chest.

This is clearly a no-win—or win-win—situation.

“She texted me. Said she was running late but she’ll be here soon.” He dips his head, his mouth at my ear again and I swear I feel his lips brush against my skin. “She didn’t tell you?”

I drop my hand from his chest and reach for my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans. Yep, there’s a text from Kelli, begging for forgiveness and saying she was running late.

She’s going to have to do some major begging, leaving me here with Tristan alone.

“You want something to drink?” he asks. I nod. “Like what?”

“Surprise me,” I tell him, yelling so I can be heard over the crowd.

His hand falls from my back and he starts to walk away but I grab him, my fingers circling around his thick wrist. He turns to look back at me in surprise, his gaze dropping to where I touch him before returning to mine.

“Just don’t drug my drink,” I warn him, feeling foolish for saying the words out loud. Not that I think he would do that, but I don’t really know him. And there’s enough stories floating around campus about guys taking advantage of girls by slipping something in their drinks without their knowledge, let alone all of the national stories regarding the same topic.

He turns his hand up, flexing his wrist and his fingers curling so I have no choice but to watch as my hand slides into his. “I would never do that to you,” he yells solemnly.

I didn’t realize someone could actually yell in a solemn manner but Tristan just proved he can.

“Thanks,” I say, giving a tug so he releases his grip on my hand.

“Stay right here,” he commands before he turns and heads for the bar.

I watch him go, noticing the girls in the vicinity who watch him too. He stops and talks to one girl, then another, then a group of guys who all yell his name as he approaches and I realize he’s extremely popular. Everyone knows him and he greets them as if they’re all life long friends. He draws people like a magnet, girls and guys alike as if his magnetism can’t be contained.

A pretty brunette approaches him, her long, cascading waves looking straight out of a shampoo commercial. She wraps her arms around his neck, presses her body fully against his and kisses him straight on the mouth.

He doesn’t push her away either.

I curl my hands into fists as I watch them, trying my best to fight off the waves of jealousy that threaten. I shouldn’t care. I’m not here for Tristan, to impress Tristan, none of that. He’s not good for me. I’ve had enough toxic relationships to last a lifetime. I don’t need to add another one to the mix.

“Who’s the fucking brunette?”

I recognize Kelli’s voice and almost cry with relief when I realize she’s standing right next to me. For a moment there I thought I imagined her saying that. “I don’t know,” I tell her, my gaze never leaving Tristan and the girl. She’s still kissing him and the bastard is letting her. “She just sort of grabbed him and hasn’t let go.”

“What a waste of my time,” she mutters, shaking her head. “Now I’ll have to get my own beer.”

“What are you talking about?” I turn to look at her.

“Oh, you didn’t figure it out yet? Tristan asked me to wait a solid fifteen minutes after you got here before I made my appearance.” My mouth drops open in shock and she smirks. “I told you he was an asshole. I think he believed he could convince you to drop your panties in less than fifteen minutes. I don’t know if that speaks to his extraordinary convincing skills or the fact that he fully planned on getting you to drop your panties in less than fifteen minutes, so I’m not sure if you should be insulted or not.”

“Are you serious?” I look at him one more time—that brunette has sunk her claws into him, without a doubt because she’s still gripping him tight—and my vision goes hazy. A little red on the edges.

God, I could murder him with my bare hands right now. This guy is so freaking arrogant.

“As a heart attack. He wants you. I’ve seen him in action before. Once he sets his sights, he’ll do anything to get you.”

“Well, he’s not going to. Get me,” I add when she just looks at me with her doubt-filled eyes. “What, I’m serious! I’m not interested in him like that.”

Kelli’s admission just cured me of that particular problem, thank you very much.

This girl is like an octopus. She won’t keep her damn hands off me. “Layla, please. You need to stop.”

She appears to have no intention of stopping. In fact, she’s nestled her body even more firmly against mine, her hands still looped around my neck. She smiles up at me though I swear her eyes are going to roll in the back of her head at any given moment. She’s drunk as hell.

The very last type of person I should be hanging out with. Not to mention the fact that her tits smashed against my chest and the way she’s trying to dry hump my limp cock is doing absolutely nothing for me.

“Take me to the bathroom, Tris,” she murmurs, her lips coming perilously close to mine. They’re slicked with a dark red lipstick that looks downright scary, not sexy. Halloween happened a few nights ago. This girl needs to get out of costume. “Let me give you a blowjob.”

Well. Nothing like a blunt offer to make my night far more interesting, though I’m not taking her up on it. “I don’t think so,” I start, resting my hands on her hips to push her away.

Her grip tightens in my hair, tugging on it so hard it hurts. “Come on. You liked it the last time I sucked your dick.” She licks her lips, the dark lipstick glistening in the dim light of the bar. I can’t even remember the last time she sucked my dick. Hell, she could be lying for all I know. “You know you love it when I deep throat you.”

She probably thinks what she’s saying is turning me on. She would be wrong. “Not tonight,” I say firmly, grasping her by the hips and setting her away from me. Her hands fall from my neck, the disappointment on her face crystal clear. She looks crushed. “Though I always appreciate the offer,” I say to soften the blow.

Layla glares. “You’re missing out on a good thing.”

“It’s the chance I’ll have to take,” I tell her as I scan the room, looking for Alexandria. I don’t see her anywhere. Definitely not where I last left her. Damn it, I knew it was a mistake, leaving her alone. Some other asshole is probably picking up on her.

“You’re not even looking at me.” She grabs a handful of my shirt and tugs, making me glare at her. “You’re an asshole.”

“You’re only just now figuring this out?” I lift a brow.

She shoves at my chest with surprising force, sending me a few steps backward. “I hope your dick falls off,” she mutters before she stalks away.

I hear feminine laughter from behind me and I wince, fully prepared to find Alexandria standing there when I turn but it’s not her.

It’s freaking Kelli.

“Bravo,” she says with a slow clap. “You’re messing up left and right tonight and I only just got here.”

I ignore her comment. “Where’s Alexandria?”

Kelli crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Why do you call her Alexandria? She goes by Alex.”

“That’s a man’s name.” I grimace. “And she is the farthest thing from a man.”

Kelli laughs. “Well, she’s also pissed at you for tricking her.”

“I didn’t trick her.”

“I told her you asked me to wait fifteen minutes after she showed up.”

Fucking. Great. “Why’d you go and do that?” Nothing is going right tonight. “I thought we were friends.”

“I got here a little early and it’s so cold outside, I didn’t want to wait so I came in. Figured you two wouldn’t see me considering how packed it is in here.” She shrugs. “I found Alex right away, all by herself. Then I saw you with some hot chick slobbering all over your face. Needless to say, I figured your potential game with Alex was ruined.”

“Shit,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “Where is she?”

“Talking with some guy.” She nods in the direction of where I can only assume Alexandria is standing. I whip my head to the right, spotting her immediately. Damn, she’s beautiful. She’s talking animatedly with some short dude, and when she tips her head back and laughs, I feel a pang in my chest.

Somewhere in the vicinity of my ice cold heart.

Fuck. I’d love to hear that laugh, see that smile that’s curving her lips aimed right at me.