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“Ah, Alex,” he says haughtily. “How kind of you to grace us with your presence.” He bows mockingly, yet I hardly notice him. My attention returns to Rachel, watching as she fidgets awkwardly with her fingers and shuffles from foot to foot.
“Hi, Rachel,” I say, forcing a smile. “I didn’t know you were attending this party.” I grind my teeth. What a stupid thing to say. Of course, I didn’t know. I didn’t ask her. She didn’t tell me.Think of something else to say, Stupid. Something charming and witty.I try to think of the lines I use on the other girls I’ve met at bars and clubs, yet everything has completely left my mind, leaving me staring awkwardly at Rachel.
Rachel smiles up at me, pushing a stray strand away from her face. She looks beautiful in her simple black dress and minimal makeup. I don’t think she could ever not look beautiful to me. There must be something wrong with me; pining for my friend’s girl when I know there are plenty here for me to flirt with. They’re probably just as smart, pretty, and interesting.
But none of them are Rachel.
“Yeah, Seth invited me,” she says sweetly. “I’ve had it pretty rough the last week or two. It’s nice to have something to take my mind off things.”
“Yeah.” I bob my head up and down, kicking myself for not finding anything else to say. I’m Alex freaking Goode. I always have something witty and taunting to add.
“Well, this has been fun,” says Seth while grabbing Rachel’s elbow. “Not.” He stalks by me, nearly dragging Rachel behind him.
“Likewise,” I call after them, watching Rachel stumble to keep up.
Seth is pretty fast even when he’s hobbling around.
“Seth is an asshole,” says Mike while slapping my back. “But he’s a good asshole. Don’t let him get to you.”
“Oh, I won’t,” I say while grabbing a red cup and pouring beer into it to the brim. Taking a very large swig, I hold back my grimace while following Mike into the living room, where several girls are dancing. I hold back my cough as another wave of smoke hits me. I feel like I’m going to get lung cancer if I stay longer. I’m tempted to leave. Beer isn’t really my thing, especially crappy, cheap beer, and I don’t like being hungover. I’m supposed to be up at six tomorrow morning for a long run and then I’m hoping to hit the gym. Maybe, if I stay an hour, it’ll be enough?
“Ah, yes, this is my jam!” I hear Seth shout as the music changes from rock to rap.
Seth tugs Rachel’s hand towards him and several members of the track team I hadn’t seen join him on the dance floor, jumping up and down in rhythm to the beat. I lean against the wall, taking another sip from my beer as I watch them laugh and enjoy themselves. Seth is definitely an asshole, but he’s also pretty adept at being the center of attention.
Something I could definitely take a note or two from.
I can’t believe he’s jumping up and down on his uninjured leg. My eyes narrow on Seth’s hand holding Rachel’s.It’s most likely to keep himself balanced,I tell myself.It means nothing. Although, if Rachel is okay with Seth touching her so casually like that, would she be okay with me doing the same?
No. She knows Seth. She lived with Seth in Paris along with Hunter and Lucas. Obviously, they became close—like brother and sister. That’s probably the extent of their relationship.
“Hey.”
I turn to the right and see a girl dressed in a crop top and high waisted jeans, fluttering her lashes at me. She flicks her long red hair over her shoulder before leaning forward and saying, “You’re Alex Goode, right? The newbie on the track team?”
“Yeah,” I say, turning towards her, feeling the pain in my cheeks as I force a bright smile. “How did you know?”
She shrugs. “Word gets around. I’m Sophia.” She holds out her hand. “I’m on the gymnastics team.”
I take her hand, and rather than shake it, I lean forward and press my lips against her knuckles, enjoying the way her face flushes and her eyes widen. “Charmed.”
She giggles loudly, her hand slipping from mine, quickly covering her mouth in embarrassment. Why can’t I be like this in front of Rachel? I’m an elegant prince charming in front of other girls. Yet when I’m around her, I’m a bumbling idiot.
“You must do this to all the girls,” says Sophia.
My head tilts and I close the distance between us. “Not all the girls,” I murmur while leaning towards her. “Only the pretty ones.”
Sophia giggles again, and I hear her voice, but my attention is seized by Seth pulling Rachel from the dance floor and towards the stairs across the room. My brows pinch together, and I straighten away from Sophia.
“Excuse me,” I murmur, leaving her at the wall while I push my way through the crowd.
Why is Seth taking her upstairs? I slam my cup on the coffee table near me and continue following them up the stairs, keeping my feet light so they don’t realize I’m following them.
Ugh. Wonderful. I’ve turned into a stalker.
No. I’m not a stalker. I want to see if Rachel is okay.
Ha! You’re jealous and want to rain on Seth’s parade.
