Page 71 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
Her delicate brow furrowed, the poor little genius baffled at my unexpected response. I rolled my eyes.
“How did you get that bruise on your face? It’s ugly.” She smiled, but no kindness or warmth lived in the expression. I pursed my lips, realizing she likely wanted to date one of the Lents, but which one? From what I saw in New York, she might be willing to settle for any of them, just whichever would give her attention.
“I got punched in the face,” I said and stared at her. “You saying that was mean, though. Why say that to me, or are you always bitchy by nature?”
Her brother interrupted, not giving his sister a chance to answer, which was likely for the best. Julian tensed up next to me so tightly, I felt as if he might snap like a coil. “Alatheia, I haven’t seen you around here,” the brother said, and my gaze snapped to him. Phoenix frowned.
“I live with my aunt in New York, but their grandmother brought me to be her companion. You wouldn’t have seen me around here before, since I’m the poor relation.”
I no sooner said the words than I abruptly shut my mouth. I had never said that aloud before, even if they didn’t realize my confession. The brother-sister duo from Jersey started laughing.
“I love that show,” the sister squealed. “I love it. You know there isn’t that much distance between New Jersey, where I live, and New York.”
Phoenix shook his head. “But a world of difference.”
Nameless brother extended his hand toward me. “Want to dance?”
“No, she doesn’t. Not with you,” Barrett interrupted. “Go away. Would you like to dance with me?”
I absolutely didn’t want to dance with that guy, but with Barrett?I shouldn’t. I didn’t fit in their world, and I would leave tomorrow. Still, I took his hand and let him lead me into a group of dancing bodies.
He pulled me against him. “I’m a terrible dancer,” he whispered in my ear.
“I’ve never danced before so I won’t notice. We don’t have to dance, if you just wanted those two to go away.”
Barrett swayed, bringing me with him to the rhythm of the slowly thumping music. “I didn’t want you to dance withhim.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and let our bodies melt together in a shiveringly wonderful way. He grinned at me, his eyes getting the slightly predatory glint which made my pulse race.
I sighed, realizing I couldn’t just keep escaping into the fantasy. I should be realistic, so I said, “I really like all of you, but I think I need to go home tomorrow.”
“Is it because my family is so weird?” He frowned, his smile vanishing behind a surprising amount of self-consciousness.
I noticed he picked the same word Julian used to describe his family—weird. “I don’t think your family is weird. I’m just … it’s hard enough to survive knowing I’m not actually wanted. To find that same attitude here is too much.”
He pressed my head against his shoulder, his long fingers stroking against my scalp in my hair. “You are so wanted. You’ll never know how much.”
It wasn’t a slow dance, but we treated it that way, rocking back and forth while we held each other close.
The bonfire flickered in the darkness, casting a warm, golden glow on Barrett’s face. Somehow, the light made him beautiful even though it made everyone else look manic and crazed. Hewas just … so damn gorgeous. I shivered slightly, since the night got cooler, but he simply tucked me closer to the warmth of his body until I felt very nearly hot … and needy. We moved together, our steps uncoordinated but perfectly in sync at the same time. For once, I didn’t have to worry about what other people thought. The rough texture of his shirt rubbed against my cheek, so I inhaled deeply of his scent. He smelled clean, the shampoo he used familiar enough to make me smile.
For a second, I thought he might kiss me, but instead, Jeremy appeared. “What is the phrase? Can I cut in?”
Barrett groaned. “Maybe if we lived in some other time.”
Still, he released me so Jeremy could tug me against him. “It is painful for me to have to watch how badly my brother dances. I am not great, but I’m a lot better than he is.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “That so?”
Dancing with Jeremy was a completely different experience than his brother. Barrett had moved casually, holding me close and kind of rocking with the music. Jeremy’s motions seemed more deliberate. He pressed up against me, his hips beginning to teach me the rhythm. The music changed, slowing with another song, one I recognized. A new band. I remembered some of my classmates in Chicago were in love with the main singer. Jeremy’s hold was firm, his eyes mischievous. “I set this up, I admit it. I went onto Phoenix’s playlist and added this song up next so I could dance with you.”
“You’re to be watched then. I get it.” I grinned at him, teasing. “I was just telling Barrett something I probably shouldn’t have said.”
He pressed a kiss on my temple and whispered in my ear, “Tell me. I’m good with secrets and solving problems.”
I sighed, getting serious. “Jeremy, listen …”
I never got to finish because he suddenly widened his eyes. “Holy shit.”
