Page 33 of Becoming Selfish

Chapter 29

Eli

Fuck. I didn’t even notice Alyssa hanging all over me. I must be drunker than I thought. Logan has yet to look away from the girl at my side as I pull Alyssa’s arm off of me and create some space between us. But it’s too late. Logan looks back at me, with confusion and a hint of disappointment on her face.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Ali shake her head at me before giving Logan a sympathetic smile.

“Hey, man,” Marc says, greeting me with a hug, entirely unaware of the fuckup I just made.

“Hey.” I hug my brother, never breaking my eye contact with Logan. She does not look too happy right now.

“Hi, Logan,” I say with as much joy in my voice as I can, but trying not to sound too desperate for her attention.

“Hey,” she responds with complete disinterest.

Fuck.

I know it’s lame, but whenever we greet each other, it’s always with a ‘hi’ and never a ‘hey.’ I sound ridiculous, but it’s something I’ve noticed and reserve in my head only for her, whether or not she’s realized it yet.

“Logan, this is Alyssa and...Lauren,” Marc informs her, pausing before saying Lauren’s name.

She seems to catch on as her eyes widen, looking back and forth between Lauren and Marc. “Oh. Hey,” she says, completely uninterested in either of the girls.

She dislikes them already, and it makes me like her even more. The distaste for Lauren, I’m assuming, is because of her past with Marc. And with Alyssa, it’s because of the obvious current situation I’ve gotten myself into.

I chuckle at her flat greeting to the girls, but she glares at me when I do. Okay, so maybe she dislikes all three of us right now.

Even though she seems disappointed by seeing Alyssa with her arm around me, it’s kind of nice to see her get jealous. It gives me more information about where she stands and how she feels about me. I was hoping that we were on the same page, and judging by her reaction to another woman hanging on me, now I’m sure we are.

Patrick leans over to say something in Logan’s ear but she scoots away to create distance between herself and him. My whole body tenses at the sight of her being uncomfortable. She shakes her head in response to whatever he said to her, causing him to be frustrated. If he tries anything with her tonight, I will kill him.

I look at Marc to see if he noticed Patrick trying to talk to Logan, but he’s entirely focused on his conversation with Ali. My eyes shift to Lauren and I can’t help but smirk at her obvious annoyance at the two of them being so close.

“Let’s do some shots!” Alyssa yells out enthusiastically.

The group seems to be on board with her idea as they grab shot glasses and begin filling them with vodka. Logan doesn’t make a move, so I assume she’s not drinking tonight, which makes me wish I didn’t start drinking in the first place. I would’ve had just as good of a time, if not better, hanging out with her completely sober, so I decide to hold off on the liquor as well.

“What? You’re not drinking, new girl?” Alyssa asks Logan, condescendingly, while holding up a bottle of vodka in her hand.

“No, I’m good,” she states matter-of-factly, before her gaze shifts to me.

I don’t care if she does or doesn’t drink, but if she’s not, then I don’t want to drink anymore either. Even though seeing her with a few drinks in her would be fun, I don’t want her to feel pressured either way.

“Then why are you even here?” Alyssa snaps, giving her the most judgmental glare possible. “Honestly, you don’t belong here. If you’re going to be so fucking boring, then you should just go home.” She leans into me slightly while pointing to the door.

God, she’s such a bitch. I should tell her that right now.

Logan seems taken back by Alyssa’s sharp words. I need to defend her, but before I get the chance, Ali interjects. “Watch your mouth, bitch!”

Everyone’s eyes go wide as Ali says my thoughts aloud.

“What did you just say to me?” Alyssa asks, taking a step towards her.

They’re both small women, so I’m not sure how this fight would go, but I’m assuming Ali would kick her ass. She seems scrappy as hell.

“You heard me.” She pauses, taking an equal step towards Alyssa. “Leave my friend alone. If she doesn’t want to drink, then she doesn’t have to. So why don’t you just mind your own goddamn business.” She takes another step forward. “Also, I’m from Brooklyn, and I will fuck you up if you really want to go right now.”

I’m standing between them, but I wouldn’t stop them if they wanted to fight. I would love to see Ali put her in her place, considering how she just spoke to Logan.

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