Page 73 of Call My Bluff
“What?” she called back.
Noah shook his head in aggravation, then he leaned in so maybe she’d hear him better. “I asked if you have a ride,” he repeated.
She batted her eyes and grabbed the collar of his shirt in both hands. “Why? Do you wanna take me home?” she asked. Several of the words slurred together, but Noah got the gist.
“You should probably sleep this off,” he told her. “Do you have friends here?”
“You’re here,” she whined, “but you won’t dance with me!” She stomped one high-heeled shoe, which slipped out from under her.
Noah caught her with one arm before she hit the floor. “Alright, alright, easy there,” he said, righting her again. She anchored her arms around his neck, and he gave up all hope of peeling her off—at least, not before he could find someone trustworthy to leave her with. He looked around the room again, trying to analyze the faces of the people playing pool, but he didn’t recognize anyone on this side of the room.
Across the dance floor, closer to the bar, he spotted Parker, recognizable because the back of his shirt had his last name emblazoned across the shoulders. Suddenly, a girl stepped out from beyond him, and every gear in Noah’s brain ground to a halt as her gaze connected with his. It was Olivia.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Olivia berated herself as she wrestled with the lock on her front door. She could barely remember the drive home, could barely remember anything but the guilty look on Noah’s face when she’d caught him with some blonde pressed up against the wall in the pool room.
What were you thinking?!she demanded.He didn’t actuallyaskyou to come!
She finally wrenched the door open and let it smash against the drywall on the other side, only vaguely hoping the impact wouldn’t leave a hole. Then, she slammed it behind her again. The motion soothed an innate need to break something—but onlyfor a second. She threw herself down on the couch and started to unlace the strappy heels she’d worn for dancing.
WithNoah Campbell, of all people!
She’d barely finished the second buckle when there was a pounding on the door.
“Pixie! Pix, I know you’re in there. That wasn’t what you think it was!”
Fire crackled behind Olivia’s breastbone, and she hurled the shoe in her hand at the inside of the door. It landed with a crack. “Go away!” she shouted.
There was a soft sound as the door seemed to strain on its hinges, like maybe he’d leaned his whole body against the wood. “Please, Olivia,” he pleaded. “Please, let me explain. Just open the door.”
He actually sounded like he was in pain, and the tone of his voice tugged at her heartstrings, begging her to hear him out. Though, honestly, that irritated her more than anything else.
He shouldn’t have this kind of control over her!
Sheshouldn’t havegiven it to him!
She stormed across the room and twisted the doorknob before yanking it open without warning. Noah nearly fell onto the carpet.
“No reason to explain,” she said, her voice too light, too casual, and in direct opposition to the anger coursing through her veins. “After all, we’re not really together; we never have been. You’re a free agent, Campbell!”
He winced at the use of his last name, and it was only then she realized she hadn’t used it all week.
“Don’t do that, Liv,” he begged.
“Do what?”
“Brush us off like we don’t matter.”
“Wedon’tmatter!” she snapped, her façade failing. “Like I said, we’re not anything! It’s fine! Go add another name to your little black book!”
“I don’twantanother name, I wantyou!”
Olivia stood with one hand on the door, holding it open while they stared each other down.
I want you.
That was what he’d said, but was it really what he meant?
