Page 78 of Between the Blue
“Well, I couldn’t leave without saying bye to my new best friend,” she grins, patting my arm.
“Everyone!” Rhett suddenly speaks up. “I'd like to propose a toast.”
I look between him and Caroline, getting a little overstimulated with how much is happening at once.
“You’re too sweet,” I tell Caroline. “I’ll see you around?”
“Plenty,” she tells me. “You’re doing a great job so far. Hang in there, okay? And let me know if any of these guys give you any trouble.”
I swallow, biting my tongue. “Of course, I will.”
“To a killer season to come,” Rhett shouts out, holding his beer up in the air. “And to welcoming Little Dixon to the Texas hockey world.” He leans over, nudging me while simultaneously throwing Caroline a look. I can’t help the blush that tinges my cheeks.
“Thanks, Rhett,” I say.
Everyone clinks their glasses and bottles together.
I take a sip of my drink, turning to tell Caroline goodbye, but I end up letting out a gagging sound, my face twisting up.
“What is that?” Caroline asks, looking down at my glass.
I blow out a breath, shooting my gaze across the table. Of course, I find Ben staring right at me already, the tiniest smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.
“Cherry Vodka Sour.”
twenty-one
HIM, THIRTEEN YEARS EARLIER
I can still taste the vodka on her tongue.
Of course Jules would be bold enough to spike the punch at a prom that isn’t even at her high school.
I don’t know why I’m surprised by it.
Don’t know how I’m still surprised by her.
It’s been over half a year since she entered my life, yet, somehow, she still manages.
We’re walking back to my car from the dance now. Taking turns stealing kisses the whole way.
She looks like a dream tonight.
No typical prom gowns for Jules, apparently.
Instead, she opted for a little black dress. Because of course she did.
And, God, she’s wearing it like she’s doing it a favor.
It’s hard to keep my hands off her.
Not like that’s ever easy anyways.
Jules makes it feel like a privilege to be able to touch her. To even be near her. And it makes it so anytime she’s near, I have to get every bit of her that I can. Like she’ll slip through my fingers if I let her. I can’t explain it.
She pulls me down now by the lapels of my suit jacket. Kisses me fast and hard enough to take my breath away.
Then she pulls back.
