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Chapter 20
RACHEL
Ismileoverthe rim of my cup as I stare at Alex. He’s leaning against the wall, his gaze dipping to my lips. Mike and the other guys are in the kitchen, doing keg stands. A group of girls sit on a couch to the left of me, gossiping about something I can’t here. Alternative rock music blasts from Mike’s speakers while people walk past us toward the porch to smoke. I should be studying. I should be at the library with Charlie working on our project.
But this was definitely a good idea.
I needed to get out. Everyday has been something—whether that be work, class, worrying about Seth, worrying about Hunter, or worrying about my parents. It’s good to let go for once.
“How is it?” Alex asks, nodding toward my drink.
He tried to create some sort of cocktail for me. It’s a mixture of lemonade and vodka and tastes sweet. I shrug and nod. “It’s okay.”
Alex makes a face. “Yeah, I can make better if we had the right stuff.”
“You mean the nice stuff,” I say, chuckling when Alex nods. “Yeah, Mike is pretty cheap.”
“I could get you beer instead.”
I grab his arm, stopping him from walking past me toward the kitchen. “No,” I say with a coy smile, pulling him closer. “Stay with me.” His blue eyes hold mine, his breath hitching as I go up onto my tiptoes. “You’ll be in the kitchen for another hour if you go back.”
Alex smiles, his head tilting toward me. “You got that right.”
I brush my lips against his, enjoying the taste of beer and something else. Something entirely masculine, just like him. It’s been too long since we’ve been together like this. Not since New Year’s, I think. Alex breathes me in, his nose nuzzling mine.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispers.
My eyes slowly close, waiting to feel his lips pressing against mine. Someone bumps against Alex and he lurches forward, nearly spilling his drink on me, but, thankfully, he catches it in time. Alex scowls over his shoulder, but my eyes are wide as I see Lauren tripping over herself to get through the crowd of people. She nearly bangs into a wall, but her hands stop her.
Lauren looks cute. Her brown hair is curled. She has a cute little bow keeping her bangs away from her face. She’s dressed in all black, as per usual, but she’s in stiletto heels, that I know she can’t walk in, and a form fitting leather jacket. Her dress is way too short, hardly hiding her bottom, but I suppose it isn’t that bad given she’s wearing tights. It’s her eyes and the way she carries herself that has me worried. Her eyes aren’t focusing. She looks absolutely trashed.
“Is she okay?” Alex murmurs, taking a step toward Lauren.
“Maybe we should get her home,” I whisper.
“Lauren!”
I groan. My worry dissipating into anger as Josh bursts through the crowd behind us and grabs Lauren, pulling her away from the wall. Lauren looks confused, looking around as if she doesn’t know where she is. She squints at me before turning to Josh.
“Sorry, everyone,” Josh laughs, nodding to a group of girls walking past. He manages to wink at one.
Ugh.
What a freaking jerk.
“Who’s that?” Alex whispers in my ear.
I shake my head. “No one good.”
I grab Alex’s hand, his presence making me brave. He laces his fingers in mine as I tug him to follow me toward Josh and Lauren. Drool slips from Lauren’s mouth as she tries to bury her face into Josh’s chest.
“Hey,” I say, smiling when Josh turns to me.
His eyes go wide as he looks at Alex, then my hand in his. He chuckles bitterly. “New toy for you to play with?”
I’ll ignore that. “You should get her home.”
Josh rolls his eyes. “She’s fine, Rachel. Go bother someone else.”
