Page 24 of Bad Reputation

“Hey,” Maia says, elbowing me in the ribs. “Will you please get your head in the game?”

“Huh?” I say, giving myself a shake. “What game?”

“We’re going to all find a hot guy, and we are going to make out with them. That is the goal tonight.” She gives me a mischievous grin.

“Here, have another drink,” Alice says, taking my drink and replacing it with a fresh one. “After we finish this one, we can dance.”

“You are both terrible influences.” I drink a little champagne and giggle.

“We’re just sick of boys telling us how to be,” Maia says, shrugging one shoulder. “I personally am so sick of hearing about what men think.”

“Cheers to that!” I say, toasting the girls.

We finish our drinks and then head out onto the dance floors. I feel great, as bubbly as champagne and as free as a bird. I dance with the girls, feeling myself, and have a great time. Someone eventually gets another round, and I drink that too.

I turn occasionally to glance at Jameson, not even pretending to be sly about it. Every time, he’s already looking at me, his eyes glued on my figure.

Knowing that he just has to stand there and watch, and think about what he gave up when he dumped me… I admit, it sort of gives me life. It makes me dance harder and longer, with a secret smile on my face.

Eventually I notice that there’s a tall guy dancing next to me. I make eye contact with him a few times, and he dances closer.

I shift, making my body language open, and before I know it we are dancing together. Not touching, yet, but dancing all the same.

“What’s your name?” he shouts into my ear.

“I’m Emma!” I cry.

“Emma, I’m Jake! You’re a good dancer!”

“Thanks!”

I bite my lip, placing my hands on Jake’s shoulders. Jake grins and puts his hands on my waist, pulling me closer.

I lean close, noticing that he smells good. Kinda like sandalwood. And yeah, he’s not as tall and brooding as Jameson, but Jake is hot in a goofy way. He is sort of lanky, but athletic. I peer up at him, trying to guess his age.

He’s probably only a few years older than me, the appropriate age I guess. I study his shoes and his clothes, and decide that he isn’t a member of my parents class.

That makes me like him way more, automatically. I get a glance at Jameson when Jake spins me in that direction. Jameson is scowling, beyond pissed. He looks like there should be a corresponding black thundercloud over his head.

I know it’s beyond petty, but I’m glad. Glad that Jameson sees me dancing with another guy. Glad that I’m having fun with Jake. Glad that Jameson looks so friggin miserable.

Good, let him be angry and upset. That is how I’ve felt this whole time, ever since he broke up with me. It feels great to rub it in Jameson’s face a little.

“Hey, do you—” Jake starts.

But he’s cut off when I lift up onto my tiptoes and press my lips to his. I can see the surprise written on his face, but he catches on quickly enough.

Jake slides an arm around me, dipping me back a little bit. He’s actually a surprisingly good kisser, and I open my mouth to him, inviting him to press further.

His tongue snakes against mine, sending a little shiver up my spine. I close my eyes, surrendering to the moment.

“Get out of the fucking way,” I hear Jameson growl behind me. “Move!”

My eyes snap open as Jameson reaches me, snatching me away from Jake as easily as a rag doll.

“What the fuck?” Jake says, looking askance at J. “Let her go, dude.”

“Get the fuck out of my bar,” Jameson spits. “Now, before I make you get out. Trust me, you don’t want to fuck with me.”

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