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I take the glass. At the same time, Haden demands Julian pour one for him and Dad. Once all three of us have one in our hand, we raise them in the air and cheer, then throw it back.
It should burn my throat, but the memory of what happened upstairs burns more.
The music is cranked up louder, courtesy of Rocky and Eric, who hit the make-shift dancefloor first. Uncle Noah and Kate arrive late, having just landed from London. The two of them look tired but wanted to stop by to say happy birthday to Mom.
Masen spends most of his night with Will. Austin was called to work for an emergency, but Ava doesn’t complain. My cousin Andy and Jessa were in Manhattan, unable to travel this week, but it isn't too bad since I’m visiting them next week.
Aunt Adriana and Presley bring out a big cake with candles as we all sing happy birthday to Mom. Dad stands beside her with glassy eyes, knowing Haden has gotten his way once again.
I have to admit, Dad is fun when he’s drunk, which is rare these days.
The dancefloor picks up again, but I’m not in the mood. Ava keeps her distance from me, hanging out with Mille. Alexa is sitting with my cousins Willow and Sienna. Luna is away for the weekend in Cabo with some old dude, according to Ava. Ava’s sources are so shady I highly doubt it’s true.
There’s a pair of hands resting on my hips, but then they fall off as Cruz grabs my hand and drags me to the dancefloor. Even though I’m not in the mood, I dance for a few minutes to get him off my back.
As he wraps his arms around my waist to bring me in, he leans in to whisper. “I’ve missed you, Addy.”
I smack his chest. “What are you talking about, you goof? I’ve been around.”
“No, you haven’t. You’ve been out a lot with friends.”
My feet continue to dance, but I’m unsure of what to say. “You know how it is.”
Cruz places his hand on the small of my back while stilling his movements. He leans in again, but across the dancefloor, Masen watches me with a jealous stare.
“Can we talk tonight, please?”
I’m distracted by Masen’s tight grip on the glass he holds, to the way his jaw is clenching. His stare is tight, unrelenting—and full of rage.
“Sure,” I tell him, then remove Cruz’s hands from my back. “I need to use the restroom.”
I don’t wait for him to respond, walking fast toward my bedroom for some solitude. Most of my family are drunk enough not to notice I’m gone. Aside from Ava, who side-eyes me as I’m walking away.
The house is quiet, the silence welcoming to slow down my racing thoughts. I reach my room, letting out a sigh when the familiar surroundings wash over me with a sense of calm.
Just as I’m about to close the door, a hand pushes through. I’d recognize those hands anywhere. They’ve been all over my body and traced every inch of my skin.
“Addison,” Masen breathes.
“Not now. I need to be alone.”
He grabs my wrist, pulling me toward him. Our lips crash together, and the spark between us ignites like dynamite ready to explode. I begin to grow feverish from the taste of his lips on mine, but I pull back, knowing my thoughts are jumbled, and I don’t want to say another thing I regret.
Masen’s breathing is ragged, his gaze fixated on my mouth as he traces my bottom lip with his thumb. My skin shivers in delight, warning me I need to stop him or else we’re in trouble.
I can do this.
Just sayno.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispers, then places a soft kiss on my lips.
And in just three words, my world is shining in a different light.
In just a short matter of time, I’ve fallen in love with him.
A man I’ve spent my whole life avoiding.
Seventeen
