Page 168 of Bonding with the Beta

My mouth parts, and I clutch tighter onto my arms. I glance at him over my shoulder. “The heart wants what the heart wants,” I whisper as I reach the door. “And unfortunately, it will always want you.”

55

KAYLEIGH

Ican’t remember when I last went to a party and let my hair down.

I’ve been uptight in the past, worrying about essays and whether I’d see Josh. But now, I don’t have to worry about seeing Josh because he has been expelled from the university.

After a few weeks in therapy, I finally gathered the courage to bring all my evidence to the dean regarding Josh. Only to find out that there was already a case building against him after other girls had come forward.

Never in my life have I felt so relieved to hear that he was removed from the university after an investigation involving the police, and now, I don’t have to worry about seeing him again.

But for tonight? I couldn’t care about anything other than the fact I’m having a good time. I deserve to let loose after all my hard work and standing up for myself and the women on campus.

I’m at university, and going to parties is inevitable.

“Hey,” Evie shouts over the loud music as she wraps an arm around my shoulder. “You good?”

I grin back at her with my plastic cup in hand. “Yeah. I’m really good.”

My eyes burn a little as I stare back at her, but in a good way. The alcohol has hit my system, and every inch of my body is feeling light and lethargic.

“Sure?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle. “Come dance with me.”

“Okay.”

I grab onto Evie’s hand and drag her towards the dancefloor which is literally just the living room, but we move our bodies to the funky music, and the smile on my face doesn’t leave for what feels like hours.

“I love that you’re having a good time,” Evie shouts into my ear.

“The best,” I admit. “We never do this.”

“I know.”

My lips latch onto the edge of the cup, and I take a long sip, the fruity liquid hitting my throat and then the sharpness of the spirit. I clamp my eyes shut as I swallow it down and allow my eyes to close as the music changes.

“Oh my God.” Evie grips onto my arms. “Nathan is here.”

I glance across the room to find Nathan entering with his football friends. I smirk at the stars dancing in Evie’s eyes as she admires him. “Go talk to him.” I nudge her.

She bursts out laughing. “Talk to him? Are you kidding? No way.”

“Why not? You never know; he might like you, too.”

“We’ve never spoken.” She looks up at me beneath her hooded lids. “He doesn’t even know I exist.”

My eyes roll. “Of course, he knows you exist. And you look stunning tonight. Just go say hi or something.”

A wave of panic rolls over Evie’s face as she watches him from across the room. I smile and stand back. I want to see her happy and be there for her as much as she’s been there for me.

“No…” she trails off. “I can’t. Maybe another night.”

“I’ll go speak to him for you, then,” I say as I take off in his direction.

Evie releases a shriek. “What? No. No. Okay. Fine. I’ll do it.”

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