Page 22 of Mine to Ruin

I question Brandon with my eyes while he pins me with a stare that says, “Told you.”

“What would you like to drink?”

“Iced tea.”

“How old are you?” asks Jason.

“Twenty-one.”

Relief crosses their faces and I wonder what my age has to do with anything.

I add, “I don’t like alcohol much.”

“He’s screwed.” Kendrick cocks his head while Brandon nods to him. All this attention heats up my cheeks, and I take a long gulp.

Anna appears, rocking tight jeans and a black crop top revealing her hourglass figure. I am happy to use her as an excuse to leave.

She introduces me to some of her friends and my muscles relax. That is, until an unmistakable pull lures me in. I swing around and there he is, hot enough to melt my common sense, his black shirt hugging his chest and making the greens in his eyes pop. At his side, Melanie looks spectacular in a red skin tight dress, her blonde hair styled in big curls falling down her shoulders. My heart drops in my stomach.

“She’s so lucky,” I hear one girl say.

“I wonder when he’ll propose, it’s been like this for years,” Anna replies.

“Excuse me,” I say, and rush to the bathroom.

I glance at myself in the mirror, gripping the sink. I am so stupid. Here I am pining for him, and he is with someone else. But no more. I reapply shimmering lipstick and exit the bathroom. I walk over to Brandon, and Kian’s eyes land on me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

I tear my gaze away, and Brandon gives me my iced tea.

“What is she doing here?” Kian asks, and I choke on the liquid. He has some nerve.

“What is your problem?” Brandon retorts. “She’s with me.”

Kian sends Brandon an icy stare; it’s a wonder it doesn’t freeze him.

“Ellia, right?” Melanie extends her arm, and I offer my hand. I grind my jaw as her fingers wrap tightly around mine. I pull mine away while her lips stretch into a forced, sweet smile. The tension is so thick, the whole room could choke on it.

Kian’s eyes bore into mine, the intensity behind them causes my lungs to constrict, trapping my air, but I hold my ground and stick my nose in the air. His jaw sets in a hard line, and dark circles stretch under his eyes. I clench my hands together to stop me from touching him.

“Let’s dance,” says Brandon.

I take his extended hand, mostly because there is no way I can deal with Kian anymore, nor with my visceral reactions when it comes to him.

“You little shit,” Jason yells and I catch a glimpse of Kian’s face, etched in fury and aimed at Brandon’s back.

I squeeze his hand in a thank you gesture.

“Serves him right,” Brandon says to me.

“I think he’s mad at you.”

He shrugs and twirls me as we find a rhythm. “Kian’s been mad at me since I was born.”

“Thank you for being my friend,” I say, smiling at him.

“You’re the first female friend I’ve had.”

“Such an honor,” I say and touch my heart while he grins.

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