AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I take the second shot Kate hands me, the liquor burning its way through my throat. I barely resist the urge to gag and Kate laughs as she rubs her hand over my back. She flits through the room, chatting to almost everyone, and I can’t help but wonder when she even got to know all these people. It seemed like she didn’t spend any time with me because she was either in class or with Asher, but now I’m wondering if she spent some of the nights she came back late partying instead. I shake the idea off. Why would she go anywhere without even asking me to join? That doesn’t seem likely. I trail behind Kate quietly and nod as she introduces me to one person after the other.
“Girl, we should find you someone to sleep with,” she murmurs, giggling. I look at her with wide eyes and shake my head. Kate bursts out laughing. I’m starting to feel pleasantly buzzed and relaxed, so when she hands me another drink, I take it eagerly.
“Thank god,” Kate murmurs. “I was so worried you were gonna feel uncomfortable tonight. I’m so glad to see you live it up a little.”
I start to reply to her when a girl I don’t know grabs Kate’s hand and pulls her along toward a game of beer pong. She shrugs at me apologetically and winks. “I’ll come find you in a bit! Socialize, girl!”
I nod and sigh. Would it be okay if I just leave already?
Chapter 7
Carter
I spot Emilia the second she walks in. She’s wearing a skintight black mini dress that showcases her body perfectly. Her long legs look fantastic with those heels on, and for a second I imagine myself spreading them, my hands on her thighs. I wonder if her body will still feel the same underneath mine. Will she still moan my name the way she used to?
“Carter!”
I blink and drag my eyes back to Lisa. I bow my head toward hers apologetically and try my best to give her all of my attention, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what we were talking about.
“Emilia, huh? You’re still so in love with her, it’s unreal. It’s been two years, dude,” she says. There’s a slight edge to her tone. but it’s fleeting. She’s mostly annoyed that I missed half of what she said and she’ll have to repeat herself. Lisa knows better than anyone how I feel. She and I have always been clear on what we are and what we aren’t. We might’ve started out as fuck buddies just using each other to get over the people we love, but over the years we’ve become friends. She’s one of the few people I actually confide in. One of the few women I enjoy spending time with outside of bed.
“I’m over her,” I murmur.
Lisa rolls her eyes. “Is that why you keep looking at her like a lovesick teenager?” she says, an amused expression on her face.
I sigh and wrap my hand around her waist. “What is it, Lisa? You have my undivided attention, okay?”
She looks at me through narrowed eyes and shakes her head. “It’s fine. He left just now,” she murmurs, her eyes filled with heartbreak. I don’t have to glance around the room to know that it’s Mason Dalton she’s referring to.
“I can’t believe you fell for that moron,” I chide her gently.
She sighs and drops her forehead to my chest. “He wasn’t always like that. When we were younger, he was just the sweetest. He still is when we’re alone.”
I guess this is exactly why Lisa and I get on so well. We’re compatible, but our hearts don’t beat for each other. She’s been in love with her jackass childhood friend all her life, and when we first met, I was still hopelessly in love with Emilia. Hell, I might still have some feelings for her, if I’m truly honest with myself.
“Fuck, Lisa. You really deserve better. You need to get over that idiot already. How long are you going to watch him fuck one girl after the other?”
She bites down on her lip and shakes her head in denial. “He’s not like that. You just don’t know him,” she says.
I pull a hand through my hair and inhale deeply. No matter what I say, she won’t listen. I don’t want to see her hurting the way she is, over someone that doesn’t deserve her.
I try to give Lisa my undivided attention, but I can’t help but notice some guy walk up to Emilia. I watch her from the corner of my eye and tense when she smiles at him. I’m filled with annoyance when he wraps his arm around her. Emilia turns toward me and our eyes meet from across the room. She glances at Lisa and then back at me before she turns away. I watch as she grins and nods at something the jerk that’s hitting on her says.
“Go,” Lisa whispers. “I know you want to. Emilia has been looking over at us, getting more and more agitated, and you’re not doing much better. Go on. I’m fine.”
I glance back at Emilia to find her taking yet another shot. Did no one remind her not to take drinks from strangers? Why the hell is she having drinks with this asshole? She’s swaying in her heels and she looks drunk as fuck. Lisa pushes against my arm and I smile at her gratefully before making my way to Emilia.
“Hey, Minx,” I murmur, suppressing my annoyance. Emilia looks up at me and her eyes roam over my body before turning back to the guy she’s with. He stares at me wide-eyed and then looks back at Emilia.
“Carter Clarke,” he says, before clearing his throat and repeating my name loudly. Emilia glances at me through narrowed eyes when douchebag’s attention shifts from her to me. “You’re amazing on the field, man,” he says, rambling on and on about my own damn stats as if I don’t know them myself.
I smile at him and tip my head toward the door. “Thanks. I need a moment with Emilia here,” I say, barely able to contain my irritation. I’m not sure why I’m so annoyed. Douchebag takes the hint and walks off, but not before smiling at Emilia. She turns to watch him walk away before glancing at me.
“Carter,” she murmurs, her eyes narrowed. “Didn’t think you’d be able to pull yourself away from Lisa.”
Her voice drips with venom and I try my best not to smile. I shouldn’t feel so pleased to find her acting jealous — Emilia and I were over years ago.
“You’re drunk.”
