Page 9 of That's Too Pucking Bad

Amelia spots me before I can slip away. Shit. She’s already pushing through the crowd, her eyes locked on mine,that damn smile plastered on her face. Before I know it, she’s right in front of me, leaning down, and perches herself on my lap.

“I miss you,” she purrs, running her hands all over me, her fingers tracing the edges of my shoulders, sliding down to my chest.

I don’t respond. Just take another sip of my beer, eyes scanning the room while she talks about whatever the hell she’s been up to.

A couple of guys pass by, clapping me on the back. “Yo, Zane! Go Ravens!”

“Yeah. Go Ravens,” I mutter, giving them a nod before they disappear into the crowd.

Amelia keeps going, hands wandering lower, voice practically dripping with need. “You’re not even listening to me.” She’s whining now, her lips inches from my ear.

“I’m listening,” I lie, but my mind’s already elsewhere. Halfway through my drink, I’m thinking about bailing. Amelia’s nice enough, but this isn’t it for me tonight. I don’t want the clingy bullshit, the fake laughs, or the usual routine.

Then I see an unfamiliar face.

My breath catches, the ground shifting beneath me.

Must be the alcohol,I tell myself.

She’s walking down the stairs, soft brown curls bouncing slightly with every step. She’s in a sweater and leggings, glasses pushed up her nose as she scans the room. She looks nothing like the girls here. Nothing like Amelia, or the rich girls parading around the place. She’s natural, soft in a way that makes you look twice. Makes you pause.

And she walks straight to Maya.

Must be the friend Caleb mentioned.

Amelia presses her lips to mine, cutting into my thoughts. I pull back, annoyed. “Wait,” I mumble, pushing her away slightly.

But when I look up again, the girl’s gone. Maya too. Vanished.

I scan the room, looking for Caleb. Maybe he can clue me in, but he’s nowhere to be found either. Meanwhile, Amelia’s getting bolder, sliding her hand over my crotch, her nails grazing me through my jeans.

My breathing hitches, more out of frustration than anything else.

“Can we do this later?” I mutter, pushing her hand away.

She pouts, but stands up, smoothing her dress down. “Fine, but don’t make me wait too long.”

I barely acknowledge her, already standing and weaving my way through the crowd. I need to find Maya or Caleb, or at least get another look at that girl. Something about her… I don’t know. It’s different.

I’m halfway across the room when one of the freshmen on the team grabs me by the arm, a huge grin on his face.

“Hey, man, I wanted to ask you about tryouts,” he says, practically bouncing with excitement.

I clench my jaw, nodding. “We’ll announce something soon. Just hang tight.”

He starts rambling about his stats and how he’s been practicing, but I’m not listening. My eyes are still scanning the room, trying to spot Maya or that girl. But it’s no use. They’re gone.

By the time I find Caleb, he’s leaving one of the rooms upstairs, a shit-eating grin on his face, a cheerleader trailing behind him.

“Where the fuck did you disappear to?” I ask, crossing my arms as I lean against the doorframe.

Caleb shrugs, not even bothering to hide his smugness. “Just having a little fun. You should try it sometime.”

“I saw Maya with a girl earlier. Where’d they go?”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “What girl?”

“Brunette. Glasses.”Sexy as sin.

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