Turning down a guy with so many good points? I must be insane.
I take a left to the kitchen, suddenly bummed. What would it be like to date a nice guy like that? To not have two fuckers being a pain in my ass?
Maybe I should become a nun.
The counters are covered with red Solo cups and what looks like an entire liquor store worth of booze. Then there’s the keg in the middle of the room.
Perusing the display of bottles, I spot a familiar label and twist the top off.
Mmm, raspberry-flavored vodka.
“What did he want?”
I jump, the bottle slipping from my lips, vodka spilling down my chin. “Shit!”
Austin steps in front of me, offering up his shirt.
“You scared me,” I say, wiping my chin off.
He gives me that sexy smile of his. The one that should turn me into a puddle of goo, but as usual, it’s only mild excitement.
“You’re cute when you’re scared.” He looks down at my bottle. “What are you drinking?”
I blink at him, then look down. “Vodka.”
“Starting with the heavy stuff, huh?”
I shrug in response and take a few gulps. It burns the whole way down, making my body involuntarily shudder from the strength.
“You know, if you’re doing that so you can seduce me, you don’t have to. I’m ready, willing, and available for you.”
I start to laugh, almost at ease with his flirtation attempt, then I remember what happened and stop.
“Me and every other female.”
He cringes. “Ouch.”
Did that sting? Good.
“You know if I could go back, I never would have—”
“Fucked that slut?” I’m laying it all out, tired of all the bullshit.
“That’s not it.”
“What is it, then? Because I’m still pissed, Austin.”
“I never would have let you push me away. Then I never would have . . .”
His admission softens me. I know it’s Brayden and his past with her that makes me hate her so much. “I just can’t stand that of all people, why her? Jennifer’s fucked half the school. Who knows what diseases she’s carrying.”
“Excuse me? What the fuck are you saying about me?” Jennifer asks as she steps forward.
It’s then I realize we’ve gained a few prying eyes and ears, including slutty herself.
I take another swig of the open bottle in my hand. “I was talking about how you’ve ruined the pool of available guys in the area.”
Her blue eyes are wide, jaw tight. “Who are you to judge me? What makes you so special, Kira?”
“I don’t fuck every guy in a ten-mile radius.”
“No, you’re a cock tease who has them running to me when you won’t put out.”
My eyes go wide and I step forward, practically snarling. “You are so disgusting! Is that how you’re going to go through life? On your back?”
“Not just on my back, but on my knees, too. Not that little Miss Priss would know anything about that.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“And you know shit about me. So, stop running your prude mouth. Stuff a dick in there, and maybe you’ll see the fun in it.”
“Fuck you!”
She lifts the hem of her skirt and slaps her *. “Go for it, bitch! This * knows how to satisfy a man. Maybe that’s why guys run from you to me.”
I snap, lunging forward, my fingers clenched tight around the bottle, ready to smash it into her skull.
The bottle misses as Austin pushes Jennifer back, and I’m yanked away. An arm wraps around my waist, lifting me up into the air.
“Let me go!”
I turn back to find Brayden’s green eyes as he drags me away.
“What is your malfunction? I said, let me go!”
Her nails dig into my arm as I pull her through two rooms and out the back door. She doesn’t weigh much, but her flailing legs kicking around as she tries to break free make it tough to hold on.
There are a few people out on the deck who scurry away as we exit the house.
I set her back on the ground, and she sways, regaining her balance on her sexy-ass heels. They match her sexy-ass dress, and I want to fucking drag her away.
“Calm down.”
She scowls at me. “What the fuck? Couldn’t stand to see your fuck doll get hit?”
“It looked more like you wanted to kill her, especially with that bottle.” I point down to the bottle, which is in her death grip.
She shifts her weight from foot to foot, jaw locked tight.
“What is it about her?”
“That was about you. I can buy you sexy lingerie, but I don’t have enough for bail.”
“That’s laughable.”
“Why?”
“You’re my devil, not my knight in shining armor.”
My jaw ticks, and I try not to cringe at the sting of her words. “Kira, I love you. I’m always going to protect you, even when it’s from yourself.”
She stares at me for a moment, then takes a swig from the bottle. “I don’t want that.”
“Tough. Now, hand over the bottle.” I hold out my hand expectantly.
Her eyes narrow, and she steps back. “Fuck you.”
“I’m not telling you not to drink, just pace yourself. Give me the bottle and sip on a beer.”