AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The party is already in full flow when we walk through the front door. Heads turn our way, and kids high five Aaron and slap him on the shoulder as he passes, celebrating his first win as Seahawk captain.
Disbelief covers more than a few faces when they notice that I’m following, but thankfully, no one decides that now would be a good time to try to talk to me. They all got a front row seat tonight of what happens if you cross me.
We’re almost at the kitchen when a flash of blonde hair in the backyard catches my eye. My steps falter as I try to get a better look at her. As if she can feel my stare, she looks up and our eyes lock. Hers narrow in concern, and it stirs something within me that she really doesn't want to awaken tonight.
Chapter Nine
Hadley
Even from my position across the yard, I can feel the anger rolling off Cole. He’s in the kitchen with Hayden and Aaron, looking like a fish out of water. I was surprised to see him arrive with them—surprised he’s here at all after what happened at the game.
I don’t know what Ben Trainor said to push Cole’s buttons, but whatever it was had unleashed the beast I know he fights to keep inside every second of every day. Watching him beat the crap out of that douchebag made me feel things… safe, protected. But I know it’s a dangerous thing, letting my heart believe that a boy like Cole Jagger could feel the same.
“Uh oh,” Tia says as we dance to the music. I’m already high, since thankfully drug testing is reserved for football players only, and I have a nice buzz from the sugary sweet drink one of the girls made for me.
“Looks like Marissa is making a play for Cole.”
My head whips over to where they’re standing beyond the patio doors. Marissa is running her hands up his arm, her boobs spilling out of her modified Seahawks tank top. Jealousy bubbles inside of me. He isn’t encouraging her, standing there rigid and tense, but he isn’t pushing her away either.
And here was part of me wondering if he’d gotten into it with Ben Trainor because he was jealous.
Stupid girl.
“Who stole your puppy?” Tia asks, flicking her perfectly curled hair off her shoulder.
“Excuse me?”
“You look like someone died.”
“I’m fine.”
“So you weren’t watching Cole and Marissa just now?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I continue dancing to the beat, loving the way the cool air flutters over my skin. It’s such a simple thing, but I could stand out here all night, twirling around just to chase the rush.
“Yeah, okay. So you won’t care that she just led him out of the kitchen. I bet I know where they’re heading.” Her brows waggle and my stomach sinks.
“I need another drink.”
“I bet you do.” Her knowing smirk has me on edge as I make my way back toward the house. The last person I need figuring out there’s anything between Cole and me is Tia.
The second I step into the kitchen, Hayden approaches. “Looking good, Hads,” he says, letting his eyes linger on the curve of my chest a little too long.
“Just looking for a refill,” I say, holding up my empty cup.
“Maybe you should take it easy,” he suggests.
“What are you, my dad?” It comes out more harshly than I intended, and he flinches.
“I just care about you.”
“I know,” I whisper. Hayden has been a good friend, and I don’t want to lose that, but I can’t give him what he wants either. “But it’s a party, I want to relax.”
I want to get high or drunk or both. Because when I’m buzzed, when I feel the trickle of liquor in my veins or burn of smoke in my lungs, it makes it easier to forget.
It makes it easier to breathe.
“Just be careful, yeah?”
