Page 8 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” And I don’t. Not to her, at least. But if Lee would call me back instead of playing her favorite game of avoidance, that’d be great. I dig my phone out of my purse and fire off a text.

Me: I swear to all that’s holy, Lee, if you don’t call me by tomorrow I will fly back home and tell the entire town about the time in fifth grade you pissed your pants because Ms. Johnson wouldn’t let you use the bathroom. THE. WHOLE. TOWN.

I throw my phone down and glance at the bar. Connor’s already moved onto greener pastures, a girl pressed in between his and Eli’s side. But Eli’s not paying attention to that.

No, his eyes are busy boring a hole into me. I glare back and now we’re locked in this weird stare-off that I refuse to lose. Right when I’m about to scream from how infuriating he is just by existing, he smirks and looks away.

Asshole.

5

Eli

“You wanna tell me what the hell that was about?”

I hear Connor’s voice, but my eyes have trailed back to the insufferable redhead at the far table. What the hell is her problem?

Becca was always a little too loud and a little too bratty, but I don’t remember her being this obnoxious. Really, Connor should be thanking me for saving him the headache. I don’t blame him for trying to get it in, though—she’s easily the hottest woman in the bar. Too bad that shit personality ruins it.

“Hello. Earth to douchebag.”

I snap my head over, tearing my eyes from Becca. Time has clearly turned her into a bitter bitch, but she’s sadly mistaken if she thinks I’ll lay down and let her steamroll over me. That sharp tongue does nothing but stoke a fire in me to snuff hers out. If she wants to start this game, I’m in. She must have forgotten I play to win.

My eyes slide back, gliding up those legs that never end, over her tiny waist and dipping into the ample cleavage that ridiculous dress shows off. My dick twitches and irritation simmers in my gut.

The nerve of this chick.

She doesn’t know the first thing about me or what I’ve been through, yet she’s so quick to pass judgment.

“Eli.” Connor smacks the side of my head.

I break my gaze from Becca again, pasting a lazy smile on my face as I meet Connor’s eyes. “What?”

“First.” He throws up his finger. “You royally screwed me on the redhead.”

“Becca.”

“Right.” He nods. “Which I would have found out for myself if you hadn’t waltzed in with your asshole on display.”

I laugh. “What’s that even mean?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is she was a sure thing, dude. I was this close to having those mile-long legs wrapped around my head.”

The girl next to him huffs, and he grins down at her. “It is what it is, girl. You knew who I was when you walked over.”

I take a sip of my beer while he placates his pussy of the night.

“Truly, from the bottom of my heart, fuck you for ruining that, Eli.” He glances over toward Becca’s table. “She’s so, so sexy. I mean… have you looked at her?”

I open my mouth to respond, but he swipes his hand through the air. “Never mind. Clearly, you have. Your eyes have been glued to her since you walked in the bar.”

I scoff. “Because she pisses me off.”

Connor raises his chin. “So, staring at her is supposed to somehow… alleviate your anger?”

I shrug because I don’t have an answer. Not one I want to admit out loud, anyway. The truth is, Becca makes me feel like I’m losing my goddamn mind, and I don’t particularly enjoy the loss of control. When her slender body pressed to mine in that tight as hell dress and those hot as fuck heels, my cock strained against my zipper, and that’s unacceptable. Baby sister’s best friend is a definite no-go. So is her being a student. And if all those things weren’t enough to stamp a giant red x on that tight little body then that belligerent mouth of hers definitely is. No matter how much my dick disagrees.

I glance at her one last time before forcing myself to look away.

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