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I shake my head. Carson isn’t here. Not yet. I have some time to enjoy my reward, make the most of it while the party rages on around us and no one is paying us an ounce of attention.
I look between them, narrowing my eyes. “A truce, really?” I can’t help but still be skeptical. It almost seems too good to be true.
“Really, B,” Ash reassures me. “It’s a tea party,” he teases as Eli lifts the cup to me again adding, “We’re all a little mad here.” Their jokes make me giggle and I nod, grabbing the drink and lifting it to my lips. It’s sweet. I can’t even taste the alcohol as I drink half of it in one go. Ash’s eyes go wide as he pushes Eli out of the way and snatches the cup from my hand.
“Easy there, Bri. There’s a lot of alcohol in that cup,” he warns. The guys all roll their eyes and I can’t even remember why I was scared only a moment ago.
I hop off the counter and wobble on my feet, making Shelby chuckle. “Don’t be a party pooper, Ashton,” Hudson chides as he steadies me on my feet and takes hold of my hand. “I finally got my favorite dance partner back.” He raises his brow in question if I want to. I nod excitedly. It’s been so long since I’ve danced. Since I’ve had fun. Since I’ve been in his arms.
Shelby watches warily but I don’t know why she’s so worried. It’s a truce. Time to party. I giggle to myself and Hudson wraps an arm around my waist.
“Easy there,” he repeats Ashton’s warning before turning back to the others. “I think maybe we should cut her off?”
Shelby nods vigorously and I stick my tongue out at her in protest but she ignores me, sending a pleading look to Ashton. Traitor. She’s my friend not theirs.
“We’ve got her, Andrews,” he reassures her.
Ugh whatever. Party poopers. The lot of them. I don’t need more alcohol to feel good. My body feels like it’s floating as I let Hudson lead me to the dance floor.
Our bodies are pressed close as I let the music move through my body. Hudson has always been a good dancer, knowing just how to sway with the time of the music, leading me around the floor. He makes it feel as easy as breathing as he spins me around and drops me into a dip.
His eyes burn a path down me, dropping from my eyes as he fixates on my lips before dropping even lower to take in my body. He lifts me and our chests are pressed so close I’m positive he can hear the rapid beating of my heart as I melt in his arms.
“I’ve missed you, Baby B,” he admits as if it is painful for him to say the words.
“I’ve missed you too, Hudson. More than I could ever put into words.” I shouldn’t have said that. I instantly know I shouldn’t have and yet I can’t make myself care.
I like the way my body fits pressed against his. The way I can feel him hardening against my stomach. I lick my lips as I drag my eyes over his ripped body. The body paint should hinder my view, but somehow it just looks all the better.
I finger one of his red suspenders, hooking a finger around it and pulling it until the strap goes taut. He looks confused as he watches me until I release it and it snaps across his skin. He jumps, “Ouch!” He wags a finger at me. “Naughty!”
I giggle before squealing as he pinches my ass. I start to turn away from him but he sweeps me up in his arms and spins me around, making me laugh hysterically. For a few moments, I forget we are at BSU. Forget that everything is not all good. Forget all that is weighing on my shoulders.
Eli comes over and snatches me out of Hudson’s arms. “Don’t hog her all to yourself.”
I lean my head against his shoulder, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Eli,” I sigh dreamily.
“Sunshine,” he chuckles, running his fingers down my spine. “How much did you have to drink before we got here?”
I shrug. That’s not important. I’m just happy. I look around the room and spot Ashton sitting in the corner just watching us. “I want Ash here too,” I whisper to Eli. “He’s avoiding me,” I pout, pushing my bottom lip out as I look up at him through my eyelashes.
He waves Ash over as he sets me on my feet, keeping me close to him. I turn around and press my back against his chest as I watch Ash make his way over to us, stopping to talk to Hudson and pointing out where Shelby is. Such good guys, I smile. Keeping an eye on my friend.
I lean against Eli and he wraps his arms around my waist, making me sigh in contentment.
Ashton steps in front of me and I grab the loops of his ripped up jeans and pull him towards me. He stumbles but catches himself before he falls into me.
“Bri,” he drags my name out as he chastises me, but I don’t want to hear it.
“Sh,” I hush him as I stay burrowed in between the two of them, my ass pressed against Elias, my fingers hooked in Ash’s pants, and my cheek resting against his chest. It’s like a little cocoon of warmth and happiness. “I just wanna stay here. Before you guys go back to hating me tomorrow.”
Ash’s hands fall on my hips, squeezing me. “We don’t hate you, Brielle.”
I hum as I sway between them, getting sleepy now. “You don’t have to lie. I’d hate me too.” I yawn and rub my face against Ash’s chest. He smells so nice. “But it’s okay. It’s all gonna work out and be okay.”
“What’s gonna be okay?”
“Hmm?” I yawn again, closing my eyes.
