Page 128 of I Blame the Rival

I turn to see a dark-haired guy step forward. It takes me a moment to recognize him as the one who tried to corner me against the bar.

“Fuck off, Walsh.”

The harsh voice cuts through the crowd, making the guy flinch. Vector smiles, his tone no less sharp when he speaks again.

“You know she’s with Sky.”

“Fine.” He bites off the word, looking less handsome by the second, “Would you mind introducing me to your friends, Lacey?”

Shooting Vector a grateful smile, I turn and face the girls.

“Be careful with this one. He gets handsy when he’s drunk.”

Ava shrugs, tossing back her drink, “Sounds good to me. What’s your position, pretty boy?”

He grins, “Forward. I’m the one who scores the goals.”

Rolling my eyes, I turn to talk to Maren, but she’s already chatting up a different lacrosse player. It’s déjà vu, being back in Silverwood’s nightclub without my girl squad, except this time I know exactly who I’m looking for.

Slipping into the crowd, I make my way along the edge of the dance floor, avoiding the mass of sweaty bodies dancing and grinding in time to the music. The shock of white hair stands out against the dim lighting, those mismatched eyes searching the crowd for my arrival.

I duck my head and creep past, sliding along the wall so I can shimmy up behind him. Carefully slipping my hands around his waist, I press myself flush against his back.

“Looking for someone?”

A quiet laugh echoes through him, the hard ridge of his shoulders digging into my collarbone.

“Just a girl with the worst coordination.”

“How tragic. Any chance I know her?”

“Highly likely.” Skylar turns around, a smile painting his eyes and face in equal measure, “She goes to the rival school. Same as you, I believe.”

“Now there’s a coincidence. Do you think she goes to therapy as well?”

“Odds are high.”

I laugh, leaning forward and pressing a kiss against his lips. He’s still smiling when he kisses me back, his fingers grazing the sliver of skin between my crop top and jeans.

“I like what you’re wearing.”

“I knew you would.”

It didn’t take me long to realize Skylar is a tactile learner. He touches and feels his way through life, using physical sensors to memorize the simplest of things.

And I just happen to be his favourite subject of study.

The nightclub’s music is blasting through the speakers, the heavy base driving the hips of university students of all shapes and sizes. It’s not the type of music I like dancing to, but thatdoesn’t stop me from roping my hands around his neck and pulling him closer.

“I’m not a good dancer, Flower.” He whispers the confession in my ear, his hands resting on the small of my back, “I failed this unit in gym class.”

“That makes two of us.”

Resting my head on his shoulder, I hear him huff out a laugh before taking my hand. Slowly we start to dance, our steps awkward and unsteady as the rap song blasts overheard.

The nightclub fades away as we hold each other, swaying to a beat that only the two of us can hear. I close my eyes, knowing with absolutely certainty that this is what my love story looks like. Not a fairytale ending, but a real moment.

One that exists only between Skylar and me.

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