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I already know.
Hell, everyone at the university does.
Last weekend, Bridger laid low and there was still another message blasted out Monday morning. After his ass was chewed out by his father, Coach pulled him aside to discuss the situation. I feel bad for the guy. Bridger’s always kept his nose clean when it came to shenanigans. Whoever’s behind the text messages must have a real ax to grind with him because it’s causing a shit ton of problems.
Those thoughts are cut off when one of the girls Colby is making out with moans.
And that would be my cue to call it a night.
Alone.
Chapter Nineteen
Carina
“Here’s to being a bunch of badass bitches,” I shout, attempting to be heard over the pulsing beat of techno as we clink our shot glasses of tequila together before tossing them back. The liquor burns a fiery trail as it slides down my throat.
“Holy crap, that’s terrible!” Juliette sputters, coughing as tears gather in her eyes. “Don’t ever make me do that again.”
With a laugh, I immediately order another round. My bestie brings the second one to her lips before slyly throwing the golden liquid over her shoulder when she thinks no one’s paying attention. She’s lucky it doesn’t land on someone.
Tonight is turning out to be epic. All the girls showed up. Even Viola who, according to Fallyn, can give Juliette a run for her money in the studious department. Those two have spent a lot of time talking about the STEM courses they’ve taken throughout the years. Once it gets too deep, I shut them down before they officially kill the buzz I’ve been working on.
I twisted Juliette’s arm and poured her into a little black dress that hugs all of her curves. Her hair has been straightened and her makeup is on point. Her newly minted boyfriend is going to lose his mind when he sees her at the end of the night.
You’re welcome, Ryder McAdams.
Since I don’t have anyone to go home to, I’m hoping to relieve some of the pent-up sexual tension brewing inside me by dancing my ass off. In hindsight, it was a mistake to give into Ford’s little game of truth or dare. I’ve unwittingly been drawn into a frenemies-with-benefits situation where I’ve yet to get any D.
How’s that for ironic?
It’s the reason I’m wearing a short, sparkly dress that clings to every curve. I’m not nearly as voluptuous as Juliette but that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna shake what my mama gave me. My hair is all long and loose and floats around my shoulders in soft waves.
I glance at Fallyn, Viola, Stella, and Britt. They all look seriously hot. And I’m certainly not the only one who thinks so. There’s been a ton of guys sniffing around, offering to buy us drinks and trying to pull us out onto the dance floor.
After the way Ford left me hanging in the classroom, it’s exactly the balm I need.
We’ve turned down all the shots, not wanting these dudes to take that as a silent invitation to join us and have only danced with a select few.
When a popular song with a great beat comes on, I grab Juliette and Stella’s hands and drag them to the dance floor. “Come on! Let’s get out there!”
The six of us shove our way through the crush of bodies before carving out a space for our group. It doesn’t take long before my hands are rising above my head, and I lose myself in the music. My eyelids feather closed as I tip my face upward, enjoying the sensation of letting go and allowing my mind to wander.
It shouldn’t be a surprise when Ford pops into my thoughts. As soon as I realize that he’s slyly snuck into my mental space, I shove him away and refocus on my friends and the good time we’re having. This isn’t something we do nearly enough.
One song bleeds into the next as we continue to shake our asses. At one point, I grab Juliette’s hand and twirl her around. A smile lights up her face as she laughs. I know how challenging her course load is and how hard she works to earn top grades each semester. It’s nice to see her cut loose and have fun for a change. Now that she and Ryder are together, it happens with more frequency. He’s drawn her out of her shell, and she seems happier. There’s more of a balance to her life.
After about thirty minutes, Britt, Viola, Stella, and Fallyn head to the bar for something to drink. A couple songs later, Juliette disappears to use the restroom. It doesn’t take long for her to get swallowed up by the writhing mass of bodies. And then I’m alone.
The club is a large, dark space with strobe lights that flicker from high above. It’s difficult to tell whose limbs belong to whom. The music reverberates off the cavernous walls before slowly seeping into my bones. It’s all too easy to lose myself in the rhythm as the DJ mixes beats. Alcohol rushes through my system, making me feel alive and free.
If only it were possible for this feeling to last forever.
Or, at the very least, until the end of the night.
My eyes fly open when large hands settle on my hips and drag me against a hard body. I twist around only to find a burly guy I don’t recognize. He invades my personal space until the strong scent of alcohol is enough to knock me out.
“Hey, can I borrow a quarter?” The question comes out sounding all smushed together and barely coherent.
