Page 28 of Corrupt Me

I got to my feet, intending to step between them. I was tired of acting as the mediator in the Tristan and Sam drama. Leveling him a look, I butted in. “Tristan, can you be nice for one freaking second? Because of you, we’re all living together.”

He straightened up, glancing around me at Sam. “A thank you would be nice.”

I poked him in the chest, bringing those glacial blue eyes back to me. “Why would we thank you for ruining my life?”

Tristan’s lips twisted like I’d just said the most absurd statement. “Don’t be dramatic, Ever.” He seized my wrist, leaning forward, and whispered into my ear. “I could have made your friend stay in the dorms. Letting her inmyhouse, that’s me playing nice.” His breath was hot on my skin.

My heart pounded too fast in my chest, and I jerked back. I needed distance. “You’re such a prick.”

The twist of his lips told me every insult would bounce right off him. He was used to being labeled the jackass and couldn’t care less. “Go home, Ever. Before you get yourself and your friend in trouble.”

I stood my ground, looking him straight in the eyes. “Too late. Trouble already found me.”

His lips twitched. “At least you got that right.”

Sam shifted to the side, narrowing her gaze on Tristan. “The older brother bit doesn’t suit you. Just admit you want her so we can all get back to our lives.”

“Sam!” I shrieked, looking for the nearest hole to climb in.

“What? Do you deny it, Malone?” Sam challenged. Booze only made Sam’s loose tongue looser. Who the hell knew what she would say next, and that was what I was afraid of. I didn’t want her to bring up the pictures.

I had to do something, separate them, quickly. Turning, I latched onto Sam’s arm. “Let’s dance.” Tristan’s hand brushed my other arm, and for a moment, I thought he might stop me. The small contact sent a shiver through the left side of my body.

Sam lifted her drink in the air, already swinging her hips to the beat of the music, as I pulled her into the crowd. I could feel his eyes on me no matter how much distance I put between us.

The thing with dancing in crowds, even in the streets, was you often ended up with a different partner than who you started with, especially if you were single. A third girl joined Sam and me, which turned into Sam and the girl moving with the music. Normally, I didn’t mind, but since I was avoiding Tristan, I didn’t want to be stuck dancing alone. I skimmed the crowd, hoping to see another available body to dance with instead of doing this awkward, lonely moving of my feet. I suddenly felt so unsure of myself—so vulnerable.

It was Tristan’s fault.That son of a bit?—

“Tell me that frown isn’t for me.”

Three blinks. That was how long it took to realize the guy smiling in front of me had been talking tome. His voice just carried over the chaos of the music and the laughter.

Am I frowning?

I guessed I was.

My body slowed down, swaying from side to side in a soft step as I glanced him over. He looked like your average frat boy. Ruffled, wavy brown hair. Friendly hazel eyes. He had a cute beauty mark below his right eye that somehow was attractive onhim. He wore khaki shorts, a light-blue button-down rolled at the sleeves, and white sneakers.

And that was the problem. He was average. He wasn’t like Tristan.

I thought about Sam’s advice on dating other people. I wasn’t ready for a relationship. Shit, I wasn’t over my first. Everything had happened so quickly. The last thing I should be thinking about was dating.

Frat boy grinned, holding out a hand in an invitation. “I need someone to teach me a few moves.”

I bit my lower lip, staring at his offered open palm.I should take it, right?Toss out all thoughts of Tristan. Have fun. Be single. Enjoy college. I knew what Sam would say. My gaze flicked to where she was still dancing only a few feet away.

What do I have to lose?

I raised my arm, reaching out to place my hand in his, but someone intervened. A firm grip snatched my hand, the warmth of a body stepping beside me. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Not at this point, and truthfully, I wasn’t. Perhaps a part of me anticipated Tristan getting in the way.

“She’s with me.” Tristan’s deep, menacing voice interrupted. He made it very clear with his rigid expression and eyes that could cut through glass that he was serious.

“Sorry, man,” the cute frat boy apologized before I could take the hand he offered and tell him I was in factnothere with Tristan.

I whirled on the eldest Malone instead. “You,” I seethed through gritted teeth. “God, can’t you leave me alone?”

Tristan let out a long, suffering sigh. “Trust me. I don’t want to spend my night babysitting.”

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