Page 19 of Blurred Lines

His words only make me pick up my pace until I’m speed walking toward the dorms, but when he runs in front of me, blocking my path, I’m forced to a stop.

“What do you want, Wilder?” I snap, folding my arms over my chest.

I can see his own anger starting to surface as the jovial look drops from his face, his features quickly hardening. “I wasn’t about to just stand back and let him threaten and hurt you.”

“Well I’m so glad our friendship meant so little to you that you were willing to throw it all away just so you could beat the shit out of him.”

Wrinkles form along his forehead as his brows furrow. “What? That’s not the case. Our friendship means—”

“I told you not to get involved,” I snap, speaking over him. “If I wanted your help, I would have asked for it. I wanted to deal with it on my own, and if I couldn’t,thenI would have come to you.” I can feel tears in my eyes, and the anger I’ve been holding onto for the last few days burns away. Instead, it’s replaced by the hurt I’ve been refusing to let myself wallow in. “You didn’t trust me enough to know what I was doing, or to let me make my own decisions. You didn’t respect ourfriendshipenough to keep your promise.”

I duck my head, not wanting him to see the emotion in my eyes, but of course the infuriating asshole doesn’t let me hide from him. He steps into me, tucking a finger underneath my chin and forcing my gaze up to his.

“Maybe you’re right. I should have trusted you, but it’s because you mean so goddamn much to me that I couldn’t let him get away with what he was doing.”

I could continue to argue with him, but he’s always going to insist he was right, and I’m always going to believe he was wrong. So I let the topic drop.

“And the kiss, what was that? You, staking your claim?”

“That,” he begins, his eyes dropping to my lips, “was something I’ve wanted to do for a while now.Thisis because once wasn’t enough.”

Lowering his head, his lips brush over mine before capturing me in an aggressive but no less passionate kiss. I fall into him for a moment, letting him sweep me off my feet. I let myself have one moment to bathe in the heady, irresistible allure that is uniquely Wilder Clearwater. Then I push him back, breaking the kiss and untangling myself from his arms.

I can feel the blush on my cheeks as I cast my eyes around me, checking to see if anyone saw us. The last thing I want is gossip so close to the end of the year.

Wilder chuckles. “Embarrassed to be seen with me? That’s gotta be a first. I might not be as wealthy as the Princes, but it’s usually enough of a draw for most girls.”

His words, and the casual way in which they’re spoken, has my gaze snapping back to his, confusion pulling my brows together. “I’m not interested in you for your money, Wilder. And any girl who is, isn’t someone worth keeping around. You deserve someone better, someone who appreciates you for who you are.”

“So you’re interested in me?”

Seriously? That’s all he got from what I just said? Why do I even bother?

“We’refriends, Wilder,” I state, emphasizing thefriendspart.

He nods his head like he agrees, but I can see the wheels churning in his head, and I’m not sure I like it.

“So, we’re good?” he asks after a moment.

I sigh. There’s only a few weeks left of term, what’s the point in staying mad at him? “Yeah,” I agree. “We’re good.”

He beams like I’ve made his day. “Excellent. You know what’s the best way to celebrate when two people make up?”

“If you say sex, I’m going to cut your balls off.”

He lets out this deep rumble of laughter and turns to stand beside me. Throwing his arm over my shoulder, he waggles his eyebrows and I dig my elbow into his ribs as he steers me toward the dining hall. “I was going to say coffee and all-you-can-eat chocolate, but I like where your mind is at.”

Chapter 9

Tonight is the last Friday night party of the year. Well, for us seniors, it’s the last party we’ll ever attend at Pacific Prep. Which is why, despite the fact exams start on Monday, we’re all taking the night off to party.

The music thuds through the air, vibrating the ground beneath my feet as we all step out from the treeline and survey the party that’s well underway before us. The dance floor is already packed with students as we walk past it, heading for the plastic beach chairs that are always unoccupied, reserved solely for the Princes.

I drop into the seat beside Hadley, who is sitting on West’s knee, and Wilder takes the chair on my other side as Mason hands out drinks to everyone. We all lapse into easy conversation, and there’s a relaxed, easy going vibe. After a few drinks, I’m slightly buzzed and tired of sitting around. Hadley disappeared with West, and the guys have all been chatting about things that do not interest me at all.

Jumping to my feet, I mumble, “I’m going to dance,” before taking off toward the dance floor. I let the music flow around me as I sway my hips to the tune, lifting my arms in the air and closing my eyes. I forget about the stress of upcoming exams, the fear of the future, my concern for Hadley and the guys, and I just let myself be. Nothing exists except me and the music.

Sweat begins to bead along my spine, and I can feel the crowd pushing around me, but it only heightens the adrenaline and fuels my movements as I dance to the beat, falling further and further.

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