Page 31 of Bad Kind of Love

“I do.” I gulp, watching his confused eyes turn to hurt. “I’m sure you’d rather be celebrating with your actual friends than us.”

Tossing back the rest of his beer, he crushes the can with his bare hand and tosses it on the floor. “You’re right. I would.”

He walks away, disappearing into the crowd while I’m left feeling like crap.

I hurt his feelings.

But why should I care? It wasn’t like we were friends anyway.

“Where’d Wes go?” Josie asks while sipping her drink.

Shrugging, I lean back against the wall. “I don’t know.”

We soon find ourselves in the backyard by the pool, it wasn't as crowded but you risked the chance of seeing naked girls.

“Maybe he's already with a girl.” Josie frowns disappointed while untying her hair band, letting her brown locks cascade down her back in waves.

There was a strong possibility that was true, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “Or, he’s celebrating the win tonight and getting shit faced with his friends?” I try to keep it optimistic.

“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Or he’s upstairs getting a blow job.”

Grabbing her arm, I start to pull her along with me. “Okay, that’s enough.” I drag her to a table with shots lined up down the middle.

“Take one.” I point.

She’s reluctant at first, but grabs one.

“Take the shot and forget about Nate.”

Rolling her eyes, she sets the shot back down. “Take a shot with me.”

Chuckling, I stare at her in disbelief. “You know I don’t drink.”

“Then no shot for me.” She shakes her head, but then suddenly her eyes land on someone in front of her and face seems to brighten. “It’s Nate, there’s Nate!” She squeals in excitement.

Turning around, I find him standing beside the pool surrounded by a few guys who are dressed identically to him. A pair of red board shorts and a polo.

“What do you plan on doing?” I question, as she reaches for the shot and tosses it back with no problem. Fluffing her hair, she adjusts her dress and makes a bee line for him.

“Wish me luck.” She waves nervously.

Nate doesn’t seem to notice her approach until she’s inches away from him. I can sense his confusion when she stops directly in front of him. And without hesitation, she grabs the dark locks on the back of his head, and pulls him down onto her lips. His arms stiffen at his sides and to make matters worse, they guys who were surrounding Nate are now laughing in amusement.

My mouth gapes open in pure horror.

What the hell is she doing?!

He’s hesitant at first and when I think he’s about to push her away, he doesn’t. Wrapping his arms around her slim waist, he deepens the kiss, tugging her closer.

Standing there completely shocked, I needed to find an open area to breathe. Somewhere I didn’t have to watch my best friend make out with a guy who didn’t deserve her.

My feet move quickly, weaving through random people until my sights set on a bench swing that was deep in the backyard. Stuck in between two trees, I plop down as it begins to sway back and forth. Resting my head back, I let my eyes close and a flash of Mr. Fitzgerald’s bloodied face pops in my head. The torment in his eyes played on repeat, and the way he flinched when he saw my worry. Sure, he was still a dick in my eyes, but it was hard not to feel bad for him.

“This seat taken?” Wes appears out of nowhere with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

With my eyes still tightly shut, I don’t bother opening them. “Depends.”

“On what?”

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