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“Austin…”
The last thing I want to do is provoke Jasper’s temper. It’s like poking at a wild animal. You never know how he’ll react, and I’m not looking to get mauled. Barely have I managed to escape from him unscathed. I’d like to keep it that way.
Before I can deter him, the firm pressure of Austin’s lips settles over mine. Even when his tongue slips inside my mouth, there’s no losing myself in the caress. I’m much too aware of the narrowed gaze drilling into the back of my skull.
Uncomfortable with the PDA, my palms settle against his chest before pushing him away. As we break apart, he sends me a curious look.
Before he can ask any questions, I blurt, “I need to use the bathroom.”
His eyes narrow as the intensity of his stare grows. “Are you sure that’s all it is?”
Thrown off by the question, I stare. “Of course. What else would it be?”
He shifts, muscles tensing as his gaze flickers over my shoulder. When they resettle on mine again, suspicion mars his expression. After the other night and everything we shared, it feels like a slap in my face.
“I’m not sure…maybe you don’t want Jasper to see us together.”
Air stalls in my lungs before I admit in a calm voice, “You’re right, I don’t. But not for the reasons you assume.”
The mistrust that brews in his eyes slices through my heart with the precision of a scalpel. I’d really hoped we could put this mess with Jasper behind us. Maybe it was delusional on my part to think we could move on so easily.
I clear my throat and untangle myself from him before rising to my feet. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
His gaze probes mine as if searching for answers to questions he has yet to ask. After a long moment that only intensifies the tension vibrating in the air, he murmurs, “I’ll be here waiting.”
I force a smile. “Okay.”
With that, I weave through the thick crowd, making my way to the set of French doors that lead to the kitchen. A little time to clear my head is exactly what we both need. I refuse to be a pawn in a game of revenge. If Austin wants to be with me, he needs to stop thinking about my ex.
As I open the door and slip inside the house, I wince. The decibel level of the music is like an assault and the vibrations of it echo in my bones. One glance tells me that people are even drunker and rowdier than thirty short minutes ago. As I consider turning around and retreating outside, I get shoved from behind. The force sends me stumbling farther into the space.
“Sorry,” a girl from my AP psych class mumbles, tipping the red cup to her lips and draining it.
It’s definitely time to get out of here before this party spirals any further out of control. I’ll use the bathroom and then tell Austin I’m ready to go. This kind of thing has never been my scene, and it’s nice that it isn’t his either. It doesn’t take long to find one of the first-floor bathrooms. The line, on the other hand, is at least ten deep. By the time I take care of business, it feels like twenty minutes have slipped by. As I retrace my steps to the kitchen, a couple girls stare when they realize whose sweatshirt I’m wearing. I hunch my shoulders and force my way through the thick press of bodies. It’s just another reminder that I don’t fit in with these people. They will never be my friends. And nothing will change that.
I pass by the massive stainless-steel refrigerator that looks more like it belongs in a fancy restaurant and realize just how thirsty I am before beelining for the appliance. I’ll grab a waterand then find Austin. One peek inside shows that all the non-alcoholic beverages have disappeared. If I want to quench my thirst with a beer, there are plenty.
Looks like I’m out of luck.
As I maneuver my way to the door, I bump into Aubrey. When I hung around Sloane’s group, we were never close but always friendly. After all the issues with Jasper, I’ve gone out of my way to steer clear of her.
So it’s a surprise when she flashes a smile. “How’s it going?”
It’s tempting to glance over my shoulder and make sure she’s talking to me.
She usually takes all her social cues from her bestie. There’s a hierarchy to the group. Only Sloane is allowed to think for herself. She’s the brains of the operation. If she snubs someone, her girl gang doesn’t need a reason to fall in line and follow suit.
“Umm, good. How about you?”
Maybe she’s drunker than I realized.
The wattage of her smile increases. “Amazing. This party is so much fun. I love when Kingsley invites people over.” There’s a pause before she adds, “I gotta tell you—we’re allsoproud of Austin.”
I blink, thrown for another loop.
Have I somehow entered a parallel universe where nothing makes sense?
Because that’s exactly how this conversation feels.
