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I check my reflection in the mirror for the hundredth time, assessing my outfit. I’m wearing a pair of ripped cutoff jean shorts and a cropped top. Both show more skin than I’m used to, but I like how casual yet sexy they are. My first thought is what Jace will think, which is how I know I’m a goner.
Stepping out of my room and into the hall, I bump into Teagan. “You sure you’re cool with going tonight?” he asks, and I can practically hear his skepticism.
“Of course. It’ll be nice to see some familiar faces.”
He stares at me for a beat as if assessing my answer before his gaze flickers down my outfit and he frowns. “And that’s what you’re wearing?” he blurts out.
“Yep.” I glance down and spread my arms out. “Why? What’s wrong with it?”
Teagan scratches his jaw, his gaze homing in on the sliver of skin exposed by the hem of my shirt. “Nothing, it’s just, don’t you think it’s a little . . . revealing? Sometimes it gets chilly at the creek at night. Maybe you should grab a flannel or something to cover up with?”
I level him with a glare. “There’s gonna be a bonfire and it was ninety today. I think I’ll be fine.”
Teagan grumbles something under his breath as he follows me down the stairs. “All the guys are gonna be staring at you.”
“So let them.” I turn to him on the landing, a challenge in my eyes.
His brows rise. “Wow.”
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s just, not too long ago . . .”
I would’ve covered up, afraid the way I looked might invite trouble.
“I know.” I shrug like it’s nothing. “I guess I’m finally comfortable in my own skin again. Just be glad, okay?”
He searches my gaze, then nods. “If you’re sure, but if you want to leave at any time, let me know.”
“I will, but you don’t have to worry.”
Once we arrive at Crow’s Creek and Teagan parks, we crest the hill to the sound of laughter. Voices drift toward us, and I’m shocked to see more than two dozen bodies ambling about, drinking from plastic cups and talking by the fire.
Leaning into Teagan, I whisper, “I thought it was just gonna be the guys and maybe a couple others?”
He scans the crowd. “People must’ve gotten wind that we were having something tonight.” He glances down at me. “You good?”
I nod, feeling only slightly intimidated as I scan the faces of the partygoers, zeroing on the one I want to see the most. Jace stands next to a cooler, beer in hand as he talks to Graham, and when he tips his head back, I can hear his laughter from here.
“I’m gonna grab a drink,” I say, figuring it’s as good an excuse as any to approach, when a tall blonde I recognize as Penny Cooper from high school cuts in front of me and sidles up beside him before I even have a chance to make my presence known.
I pause, irritation pricking at my skin as I watch her lean into him, her dress riding up her thighs as she whispers something into his ear. My stomach sinks, but I remind myself he has no idea I’m here, and he can hardly push her away from him. We’re supposed to hate each other, and for all they know, Jace is every bit the player he was in high school.
Still, I can’t help feeling unsettled. He and Penny had a couple of flings in high school, and though I know it was nothing more than that, I can’t expect girls not to talk to him. He’s easily the hottest guy here, and the couple months spent at AU have only honed his already muscular physique. Girls are bound to notice, and it makes sense Penny might assume they could have another go. If I get jealous every time a girl approaches him, I’ll go crazy. At the end of the day, until I can claim him, all I can do is remember that no matter how awful it feels to see her flirting with him, he’s mine; that’s all that matters.
Mustering my courage, I push my shoulders back and close the distance between us, positioning myself between Jace and the cooler. “Hey, guys.” I force a smile and pray it doesn’t look as plastic as it feels.
“Brynn?” Graham gasps. “Bro, am I seeing things?” He glances behind me, and I realize Teagan’s followed me. He shakes his head. “I haven’t seen you at one of these in years.” He offers me a side hug, then claps Teagan’s arm. “Did this guy drag you out?”
“Something like that.” I feel the pull toward Jace like an invisible string, but I force my gaze steady.
“Aw, it didn’t take too much prodding,” Teagan says, grabbing a beer from the cooler at our feet.
Unable to take it any longer, my line of vision shifts and my eyes lock on Jace whose heated gaze takes a slow perusal of my body before returning to mine, and I feel my cheeks flush.
We’re still staring at each other when Atlas sidles up beside Jace and slings an arm over his shoulder. “Brynn, maybe you can settle the bet we have going?”
Reluctantly, I give Atlas my attention; I’m not sure undressing each other with our eyes will help us fly under the radar. “Um, sure?” I say, uncertain.
