Page 6 of Brick Wall
But I don’t get an answer. I turn back around to see Santos and Mickey playing bartender to a group of girls. Van’s hanging back in his lounger, just watching the crowd.
“Do you know her?” I ask, pointing my cup in the direction of the blonde goddess who’s now in profile.
“The tiny one who’s hanging onto Jake Lanza like a koala?”
I shake my head. “Next to her. The short blonde.”
“Nah. I’ve never seen her before. But the koala is Viv McDonald. She’s a cheerleader. Maybe the blonde is, too?”
I shrug, because I have no clue what sport she’s into or even what her name is. But holy hell, she’s perfection, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
A group surrounds her, and they’re all talking animatedly, but she’s not paying much attention. Sure, she’s nodding her head and smiling when everybody else does the same, but her reaction time is just a bit off.
I think that’s my fault and I’m not sorry about it. She keeps catching my gaze, and I’m drawn into her orbit. When she licks her lips before wrapping them around her straw, my cock gets hard.
In basketball shorts.
In fucking public.
Jesus.
No wonder my friends like parties so much.
I’ve never had such a visceral reaction to another person before in my life. I don’t just want to talk to her; I need to. It’s like the mysteries of the universe will remain unsolved if I don’t learn her name, make her laugh, or feel her lips on mine.
Christ. How strong is this drink?
I shake my head and take a breath, but when I scan the crowd again, my eyes find hers immediately.
Without thinking about it or even saying goodbye to my housemates, I start moving in her direction.
I’m about halfway to her circle of friends when cheers erupt from the volleyball court. I look over, momentarily distracted by the wave of naked people as they mix back in with the rest of the partygoers.
And just like that, my pretty blonde soulmate is gone, swallowed up by a sea of college students.
I should walk away and head back to the house like I’ve been planning to since we left.
But our attraction isn’t one-sided. I could feel her eyes on me. And yeah, the short distance between us has been inundated with a crowd of nudists in the last few seconds, but I’m unbothered.
Most of my waking moments are spent looking out into a space crowded with bodies moving in all directions. And my only job is to find what I’m looking for.
And I always do.
Can I find a gorgeous blonde in a mob of college students?
Hold my beer—er, rum punch.
I’ve been training my whole damn life for this moment.
CHAPTER 3
MAGGIE
This was a mistake.I’ve been at this party for nearly an hour now, and I’m regretting the last fifty-nine minutes of my life.
But then I see Viv getting all cozy with Jake and remind myself that I’m not here for me; I’m here for Viv.
Honestly, though? She doesn’t need my help.
