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“I’m so glad you’re here,” she shouts over the music, smacking a kiss to my cheek and, I’m sure, leaving a bright red lipstick stain behind. “Jason was supposed to meet me here, but I’m pretty sure he’s bailing. Something about a big test next week.” She waves her free hand around as if she doesn’t really care why he’s not here, just that he isn’t. “Whatever. It doesn’t—” Her eyes land on Atlas and her lips break into a wide grin. “Hello again, handsome.”
He nods at her. “Brighton. Nice to see you again.”
Brighton glances back at me and arches a brow as if asking,what’s his deal?
I take a gulp of my drink, cringing a bit as the vodka burns all the way to my stomach.
Gabriel steps up beside Atlas and offers Brighton a kind smile, his eyes twinkling with warmth. Ugh, I hate how effortlessly charismatic he is.
“Oh, hello,” she says, her gaze flicking between the guys. “Another friend of yours, Cal?”
“I’m Gabriel,” he says, “It’s nice to meet you, Brighton.”
Her eyes widen. “Shit, girl,” she says to me, as if the guys can’t hear her.
I press my lips together. “Gabriel is a friend, yes,” I finally answer.
She turns her attention back to Gabriel. “Well, any friend of Calla’s is a friend of mine.” She sticks out her hand, and Gabriel takes it, shaking gently.
The music in the other room changes, and Brighton cheers, spilling her drink again as she grabs my wrist and drags me into the thick of hot, writhing bodies who have turned the living room into a dance floor. It’s dark and hazy from sweat and smoke and smells heavily of too many types of cologne and alcohol—and definitely body odor.
I finish the rest of my drink while dancing to a few songs, and Brighton disappears to refill our cups. Another handful of songs, and I’ve finished another drink, the second one even stronger than the first. Feeling a little more at ease, my hips move smoothly to the beat. I close my eyes and lose myself in the music and warmth of being surrounded by so many people. It allows me to forget who I am, which these days, is a blessing.
My heart rate kicks up when a hand touches my hip, and I spin around expecting a familiar face, but stare in surprise when I find myself looking into the eyes of a stranger.
The guy has black hair, cropped close to his face, bushy eyebrows, and vibrant green eyes. He flashes me a warm smile and leans in to speak in my ear over the music. “I’m Wyatt,” he says.
I return the smile, still swaying my hips in time with the song blaring through the room. “Calla.” I catch Brighton’s grin over Wyatt’s shoulder before she wiggles her fingers at me and disappears into the crowd.
He nods, dancing closer, and I get a whiff of tequila and cheap drugstore body spray. “It’s nice to meet you, Calla.”
“Yeah, you too.” I have to shout as the song gets louder going into the chorus.
Wyatt steps in and hesitates before placing his hands on my hips as we move together to the music. I lift my arms and drape them over his shoulders, careful not to spill any of my drink on him, and smile at the way his cheeks flush when I move closer.
“You go to Georgetown?” I ask him, taking another drink from my cup.
He nods, adjusting his grip on my hips. “Third-year economics.”
We lean in each time the other speaks, and I find myself enjoying his company.
“That sounds—” My voice cuts off the moment my gaze connects with Lex’s across the room. His eyes are wild, filled with silver fire, and my stomach drops.Shit. This isn’t going to go over well.
Before I can send Wyatt away, Lex parts the crowd and appears to my right.
“Lex—”
“Hands off,” he growls at Wyatt, shoving him away from me without hesitation.
Wyatt stumbles back, throwing a confused look my way before scowling at Lex. “What the hell, bro?”
“Bro?” Lex echoes mockingly, his jaw tightening.
A few people glance at us, and panic clamps down on my chest. The last thing I want is to cause a scene.
“Look,” Wyatt stammers, “I didn’t know she—”
“She’s mine,” Lex growls. “Now get the fuck out of here.”
