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My gaze combs over the sea of students. Space has been cleared in the living room and people are busting out their best dance moves.
It’s not a pretty sight.
“Hey, isn’t that Juliette?” Brooke asks, raising her voice to be heard over the thumping beat that reverberates off the walls.
My narrowed gaze coasts over the throng with more care until it lands on her dark head. I try to keep my voice tempered in order not to give too much away. My matchmaking cousin has always suspected my feelings for Juliette run deeper than I’ve been willing to acknowledge. If I’m barely able to own up to it privately, there’s no way in hell I’ll admit it to someone else.
Not even Brooke.
“Yup.”
“I’m going to say hello.”
She doesn’t take more than two steps before Crosby reaches out and drags her back for a long kiss.
By the time he sets her free, her cheeks are stained with color as her gaze flickers between us. “You two play nice while I’m gone.”
When I crack my knuckles, she narrows her eyes.
“Very funny.”
“Who’s joking around?” I ask with a popped brow.
Crosby straightens before muttering from the side of his mouth, “Go ahead and try it, McAdams. This time, I’ll give as good as I get.”
My lips slide into a grin as I clap him on the back.
Hard.
“Don’t tempt me, Rhodes. I’d love nothing better than to have a second go at you.”
He snorts.
My gaze settles on Juliette as my cousin taps her shoulder. When she spins around, her face lights up before the two girls throw their arms around each other and embrace tightly. Their genuine affection is apparent. As a kid, Brooke spent a lot of time at our house and the two girls became fast friends. I’d chill with Maverick while they’d disappear into Juliette’s room or, during the summer, hang out by the pool in the back.
It was always sweet torture I couldn’t get enough of.
Crosby folds his arms across his broad chest. “So…we’re just gonna stand here and watch them dance?”
I shrug and give him a bit of side eye. “You got a better plan?”
Because there’s no damn way I’m leaving. Barely can I take my eyes off Juliette. The way her body sways to the beat has my dick stiffening right up.
Again.
When Clint Peters, the freshman from earlier, walks by, I shout his name to get his attention. The guy looks completely shitfaced. He glances at me with bleary eyes, and I raise two fingers. With a quick nod, he stumbles off toward the kitchen. A couple minutes later, he returns with two frosty bottles of beer.
I grab one while Crosby does the same.
And then we do the only thing we can and settle in for the duration.
CHAPTER9
JULIETTE
Best.
Night.
