Page 105 of How to Win the Girl

I could do that.

“What if my legs don’t work?” They’re already wobbly, and I haven’t gone anywhere.

Drew gives me a nudge. “Your legs work just fine. I’ll hold your beer.”

I clutch it to my chest. “I need it for support.”

“A support beer? Never heard of it.”

But he lets me keep it, and before I know it, I’m walking back toward the porch, away from the chaos of the pool deck to the house where I intend to find a bathroom.

One foot in front of the other, I repeat over and over in my head. The blonde Drake has been canoodling with watches my approach; appraises me as if trying to place my face. She’s curious.

Even more so when Drake nods his head at me as my first step hits the stair going up.

“Hey,” he greets me with one word.

“Hey.” I push a strand of hair behind my hair, beer cup perspiring in my other hand, sweat dripping over my fingers.

I hadn’t realized how big Drake was until I was standing down step from him, his looming figure clad in literally almost the same thing his brother is wearing—coincidence?

Navy blue tee.

Dark jeans.

Tan arms, neck, face.

I do a brief assessment before passing by; brushing his bicep on my way up the stairs. No accident. Give him a glance over my shoulder I hadn’t meant to be coy but becomes so. Arch an eyebrow I hadn’t intended to arch.

Who are you? I whisper to myself, a smile forming on my face as my eyes scan the perimeter for the nearest bathroom, that same smile sinking when I see the line forming in front of it.

“Shit,” I mutter.

“You looking for the bathroom?” some guy with the word PLEDGE written across his forehead in black ink asks.

“Yes.”

“You with the Colter brothers?”

“Um. Yes?”

“Follow me.”

Follow him?

I have no idea who this guy is or where he’s leading me, but the tingling between my legs cannot wait for me to give him the third degree.

So.

I follow him.

The pledge weaves with me through the crowded living room, through what appears to be a library, then past an old butler’s pantry. He opens an unassuming door that looks like a closet at first glance but is a hidden staircase.

Nice!

The pledge leads me to a second level, checking every few feet to make sure I’m still following. We enter a long quiet hallway, passing dorm-style doors.

A study lounge.

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