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Ryan.
I hastily take stock of myself. Am I presentable? Do I have sauce on my chin? I hope I look okay.
No. I need to snap out of this. He's my best friend's brother. And I'm eighteen. That's far too old for this kind of crush.
"Nope, I'm talking about Mona. She's worried she'll get taken advantage of if she goes," Cade shrugs like he can't see the disapproving look on Ryan's face.
"That's not what..." I start to say, before realising it's completely pointless. They've clearly decided they want me to go with them, and won't stop until I've agreed with them.
"That would be a shame." Ryan looks right at me and I do my best to focus on something other than his attention. I don't want my crush to become obvious.
"Then come with us and make sure she doesn't," Daphne suggests.
He turns his attention to her and I take the opportunity to shake my head, hoping she'll get the message to stop talking. She doesn't know how I feel about her brother, but even so, she should listen to me.
"Alright then, I'm coming to the party with you," he announces.
I groan inwardly. The last thing I need is for him to see me while I'm in party mode. The moment alcohol comes anywhere near me I'm a hot mess. I don't even need to drink it to feel the effects half the time. It's just embarrassing.
"Just leave me alone when you do, yeah?" Daphne tells him, a twinkle in her eye.
"Fine. I'm just there to protect Mona," he insists.
"Did it strike either of you that maybe I don't need protecting?" I look between the twins.
They exchange looks and burst out laughing.
Great. I'm going to a party I don't want to go to, with a crush that thinks I need babysitting. What can possibly go wrong?
Chapter Two
I can hear the party from way down the corridor, causing my nerves to go haywire. Why did I think this was a good idea? Oh right, Ryan.
I sigh. I really should get a handle on myself where he's concerned. I don't think Daphne will take kindly to me crushing on her brother.
"Hey, mate!" Cade calls and slaps the host on the back.
Men. I'll never understand them. As far as I know, Cade barely knows the new guy. I don't either, I haven't even seen him before.
But I look him up and down now. My mouth goes dry. Daphne's right, he's one of the most attractive guys I've ever seen and I don't know how to process that. He's never going to look at me twice. I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near myself either.
"There's beer on the table in the kitchen, nothing fancier for the ladies, I'm afraid," the new guys says, a wide smile on his face as he takes in Daphne and me.
Well, probably just Daphne. She always stands out with her bright pink hair and dorky but cute glasses. She's just what smart guys want.
"Beer's good with us," Daphne announces.
"I..."
"Not the time, Mona," she mutters under her breath.
I almost roll my eyes, but hold back. I've never been a big drinker. Even if it's legal to drink at eighteen, it doesn't mean I want to. Though maybe one wouldn't hurt.
"Sure, beer sounds good," I say softly.
"Awesome," new guy says. I should learn his name. Then again, this is probably going to be our last interaction with one another, I don't think there's much point drawing things out when I don't have to.
Daphne drags me into the flat and towards the kitchen. It has the same layout as ours, which is reassuring. Seven private bedrooms, one large communal kitchen, and a couple of shower stalls and toilets for the flat to share. I make a mental note not to use the bathrooms if I can help it, I'm sure the seven guys who live here aren't the tidiest.
