Page 17 of Firecracker (Smoke)


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“You mean, my only derby?” I replied. I seriously doubted I’d get invited to one of these again unless my mom did marry Garrett.

“Why your only?”

I shrugged. “Unless my mom and Garrett are still seeing each other next year, I can’t imagine we’d get invited to another one of these.”

Saxon looked down at me. “And here I thought, we were friends.”

“We are,” I replied.

“Then, even if your mom and Garrett aren’t together, as my friend, if you want to come back, you have a standing invitation.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Although I didn’t see that happening since Saxon’s and Trev’s families were so close, but it was nice to think I’d get to keep him as a friend long-term.

“You’re a good guy, Saxon.”

He smirked. “Is that what I am?”

The guy at the door recognized Saxon, and we were granted instant access. It was stunning inside, and a live band was playing on a stage. A few couples were on the dance floor, and others were standing in groups, drinking. Appetizers were on fancy silver trays, being walked throughout the crowd by servers. Saxon took two cream-puff-looking things from a tray and handed one to me.

“These are awesome. You’re not allergic to seafood, are you?”

I shook my head and took the puff. “Thanks.”

We made our way to the bar while I casually looked around the room for Trev. I was just curious, nothing more. However, there was no sign of him. My thoughts immediately went to what he might be doing in that limo with two females. Aggravated with my imagination and the fact that it made me envious of them, I turned my attention to Saxon.

“Want a drink, or would you rather dance?” he asked me.

The idea of dancing with people watching made me feel self-conscious. “A drink for now.”

He grinned as if he knew what I was thinking. “Want to try something new? Or do you have a favorite cocktail?”

I laughed and shook my head. “I’m nineteen. I typically don’t get served alcohol like I have been this weekend.”

“How about I surprise you?”

I nodded. “I’m up for it.”

While he was ordering our drinks, I turned to see Mom and Garrett arrive. He had her close to his side, leaning down and whispering in her ear while she smiled at whatever he was saying. I started to turn back to Saxon when Trev came walking in after them with the blonde by his side. She was holding on to him as he talked to a guy on his other side, then laughed loudly at something.

“Try this,” Saxon said to me, and I was thankful he’d distracted me.

I took the glass from him. It had a pretty red color to it. Taking a sip, I smiled. It wasn’t too sweet, but it had a nice flavor.

“Perfect.”

“It’s a cosmopolitan. I won’t lie. I don’t know much about cocktails. My mom likes those. I figured it was a good bet.”

The band started an upbeat song. I looked out over the crowd on the dance floor while younger people made their way to the floor. Trev was grinning as he pulled the blonde with him to the center. I wasn’t the only one watching him. He was hard not to look at. With the wicked grin on his face, he tugged the blonde against him and began to move his body in a way that was insanely sexy. This I didn’t need to watch. Right when I began to turn my attention back to Saxon, Trev’s gaze locked with mine. He winked, then bent down to whisper to the girl he was with.

“He’s gonna regret that tomorrow. Gretchen isn’t an easy one to shake. She’s been after him since we were kids,” Saxon said beside me.

Realizing I’d been caught staring at Trev, I put my back to the dance floor and gave Saxon my full attention. “He seems to make a habit of that. I feel bad for Eliza.”

Saxon shook his head. “Don’t. She knows the score with him. The thing about Eliza is, she doesn’t go stalkerish. Gretchen does. He’s had too much to drink. That’s the only explanation for it.”

“You don’t seem to, uh, hook up with the females here. It seems you all kind of know each other. Is that why? No one new?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up a touch. “Yeah. You could say that. I’ve dated a few of them. Hooked up with some over the years.”

But he didn’t go back once he was done. Or when he was drunk, like Trev. Not a player.

“You’re more of a relationship guy,” I said.

He nodded. “Yeah, but I just got out of a long relationship about six months ago. Not looking to jump back into anything.”

“I understand that, although my last one wasn’t a long one, but it was the longest I’d ever had. I guess it could be considered my first relationship really. It was a mistake.”

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