Page 105 of Echoes of Us

“Do you have to keep throwing that in my face?”

“I’m trying to be a friend.” He moved to stand before me, a little too close for comfort. “Come on, kiss me.”

I looked at him horrified. “I’m not going to kiss you, Chase.”

“Just pretend I’m someone you’re really into.” His breath was hot against my ear.

“Do I need to remind you, you’re not gay and in a committed relationship?” I tried to reason with him.

“Sarah doesn’t care. She’ll think it was hot as fuck and be mad at me for not taking a picture. Come on, Att, kiss me. He’s looking over,” he said with a sly smile, his hand on the front of my shirt, pulling me closer.

“I don’t—” I started to say, and he pressed his lips to mine. I pushed him back, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. “Chase, for fuck’s sake.”

He chortled, the sound infectious despite my irritation. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

Someone pushed me, and I stepped closer to him, our bodies almost touching. Chase slipped his hand to the small of my back.

“I’m not trying to make him jealous.”

“Fine, then do it for me. I’m drunk, and the last time you kissed me it was just a peck,” Chase said.

“You’renotgay,” I reminded him again, hoping he would finally get the message.

“No, I’m not, but I want to kiss you. Come on, do it.” Chase pulled me down again. “I promise I’ll stop as soon as I can check this off my list, but do it properly. Pretend I’m Noah,” he said to my ear.

“Are you serious right now?” I asked, wide-eyed.

“Straight-faced, no joke. Kiss me, King.”

I took a deep breath. It was like he was playing chicken with me, and I was sick of it. He liked to see how far he could push, and I was drunk enough not to want to give him the satisfaction of backing down.

I grabbed the side of his face and kissed him. I felt him tense and smiled, thinking I had gotten him to back off. Then his hand was on my neck, keeping me from moving away, and he moved his lips, coaxing me to kiss him back.

“That wasn’t so hard, was it? Now do it like you mean it,” he said against my lips and kissed me again, parting his lips and trying to get his tongue past them.

I sighed and gave in. I kissed him back. His hand grabbed my hair tightly as he pushed closer, opening his mouth and kissing me sloppily. I kissed him back a bit and then moved away.

“Happy?” I asked as he let go of my hair and pressed another shot into my hand. I drank it gratefully.

He laughed again.

“Are you done? Is that crossed off your list?”

His smile was wide. “Yeah, I don’t think we’re a good fit, King. You’re too uptight for me.”

“No, I’m just not into you.”

“At least you can have the satisfaction of knowing Noah’s pissed. You should have kissed me for longer if you wanted to make it more believable.”

“Not a fucking chance.”

“What the fuck?” Ezra asked us.

Chase roared with laughter again. I couldn’t help it. I sniggered, too, at Ezra’s confused face.

“He’s just being an idiot,” I told Ezra.

He smiled at Chase.

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