Page 47 of Collide
“That’s how I’d get any guy in here.” She stirs her drink.
My heart slows when I realize she showed me exactly what I had asked. She was proving she’s not cocky, she’s fucking confident.
“So, which one?” she says flippantly. “Which guy do you want me to talk to?”
None.
No guy, ever. Jealousy rears its ugly head and hits me like a fucking truck. Her confidence radiates off her in waves. Fuck. I feel like pure shit that she doesn’t even look half affected by our proximity while I’m still reeling.
I eye the bar, recognizing some frat guys and UHart students. “None,” I say roughly, my annoyance seeping through my tone.
She looks confused. “Scared I’ll win?”
Yes. “It’s getting late. You have class tomorrow.”
His forehead creases. “You’re the one that’s been saying I can’t have fun, yet you’re reminding me about class? Which isn’t until after our meeting with Dr. Toor, by the way.”
I knew that, but I needed an excuse to get out of here. She was right. It is getting hot. Hot enough that my clothes feel uncomfortable and I’d much rather be out of them. Preferably with her under me.
“Why are you acting so strange?”
Maybe because I’m so hard I don't know how I’ll stand?“I’m just giving you an out in case you want to leave.”
“That's very nice of you, but I’m fine.” She flips her hair over her shoulder and scopes the far corner. “That guy’s cute.”
My eyes meet Kayce Howard, the point guard for the basketball team playing pool. Our teams don’t get along, and it isn’t for lack of trying. They’re a bunch of reckless idiots, and they’ve roped my players into their disruptive behavior too many times.
When he stands to his full height Summer gawks. “And…tall.”
“I thought you don’t like athletes.” I sound bitter, but I don’t bother playing it off.
“I don’t likehockeyplayers. What does he play?”
I glare. “Basketball.”
“Perfect.” She takes her jacket from my lap and slips it on. I keep my hands to my side to prevent myself from reaching out and sitting her ass down on my lap. Suddenly, I want everyone in this bar to know she came with me.
Just before she stands, she licks the salted rim of her glass and downs the liquid. Watching her saunter over to the pool table is like having a hot spear shoved into my chest. Her ass is distracting, so distracting that I barely notice the girl who comes up and takes the seat Summer just occupied.
“You play for Dalton, right? I’m Bethany.”
I nod, though my head swivels between this girl and the one who gets Kayce’s attention instantly. The slow smirk that blooms on his face tells me she has him exactly how she had me.
“I go to Yale,” she says.
I bring my attention back to her. “You’re a little far from home, aren’t you?”
Bethany shrugs. “The guys here are better.”
When she smiles, I finally notice that she’s damn pretty. Her blonde hair falls in waves around her face. Her blue eyes are so bright and innocent I almost don’t see the low-cut top that gives me a full view of her cleavage. “Are they?”
Staying in the moment is hard when there’s a girl on the other side of this bar laughing with the douchebag of the century.
“I’m looking at one right now.” She takes my hand and runs a finger over my palm. “These calluses would feel so good—”
I stand when Kayce’s hand reaches to twirl a strand of Summer’s hair. “I’ll be right back.”
Bethany holds onto my hand. “You’re leaving me at the bar?”
