Page 8 of Before You (Reckless Love #2)

CHAPTER FOUR

Marley

I SLIDE INTO the front seat of Trent’s Corvette, trying to contain my excitement. The football team is having a party, and I’m actually planning to be social tonight.

I’ve made a couple of friends in my classes, but if I’m being honest, I struggle with trusting people, so I have a hard time making friends.

My core circle I don’t stray from often includes my little brother, Kaden, my mom’s best friend’s kid, Leo, and Bria.

I learned the hard way when I was younger that people will stop at nothing to tear you down.

Too bad Kaden defaulted on his plan to attend Beaumont to attend the University of Milan with his boyfriend.

I can’t blame him, though. One of us being here can fly under the radar, but both of us attending Beaumont would be far more interesting.

He’s never shunned the spotlight from our last name, but he has zero interest in the family business.

Leaning over the center console, I kiss Trent hello before even shutting the door.

“To think it’s only been a couple of hours since I’ve seen you. Miss me?” he asks, smiling as I pull the door shut behind me.

“I did,” I say, smiling. When I look at him again, Trent pulls me into another kiss, taking it deeper than the one I initiated. Despite seeing him earlier today for lunch, I haven’t seen Trent much between classes starting and football practices in full swing.

“I’m glad because I missed you too.”

Trent shifts the car into drive, and I lean back in my seat, fidgeting with the ring on my thumb, my nerves beginning to get the better of me. “So who is going to be at this party?”

“Probably most of the cheerleaders and the dance team, but the entire football team for sure. Actually, you have to know someone on the team to even get into the party,” he explains, but logistically, it doesn’t make sense to me.

If it’s a house party, then can’t anyone just show up?

How is everyone on the team supposed to know who should and shouldn’t be there?

JJ will be there , my brain reminds me, and my heart involuntarily races in my chest. How am I supposed to be with Trent, when even the thought of being in the same house as JJ is enough to make my heart do cartwheels in my chest?

I shove the thought to the back of my head, because I can’t be sitting next to my boyfriend as I consider the idea of breaking up with him.

This is so messed up, but my head hasn’t stopped spinning since seeing JJ again, and I’m not sure how to feel about it.

“Oh, cool. Sounds very exclusive,” I say, trying to sound interested, and Trent straightens in his seat.

“It is. Are you still planning on staying the night tonight?” he asks, glancing over at me.

“Yep,” I reply, forcing my smile to remain bright when in all honesty, it only makes me feel guilty.

I’ve avoided Trent’s house the past few days because I don’t want to make things awkward for JJ.

He agreed to be my friend, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to rub it in his face that I’m dating his roommate.

Trent rests his hand on my knee, pulling me back to reality. “You look great,” he says, squeezing reassuringly. “I promise I didn’t forget to tell you when you got in the car. You distracted me.”

“Thanks,” I say, resting my hand on top of his, squeezing it as he turns down a street. My nerves spike as the sound of a booming bass gets louder the closer we get to the end of the street, and it sounds like the football team knows how to party.

Trent parks the car, climbing out. I follow his lead, exhaling anxiously, second guessing my plan to be social now that I’m actually here.

“Are you going to be okay to drive us back to your place later, or should I hold onto the keys?” I ask, knowing I’m not going to drink, but Trent shakes his head.

“I’ll only have two beers, and I’ll be fine by the time we leave.”

I’d prefer if he was staying completely sober before driving, but I guess if he doesn’t stick to two beers, I can always take the keys later.

“Are you drinking tonight?” he asks, wrapping an arm over my shoulders, and I’m caught off guard by the question. Trent knows damn well where I stand when it comes to me and drinking.

“No, I’m not. You know I don’t drink,” I say, my tone stronger than I intend, but I’m not going to apologize.

I don’t mind being around others while they’re drinking, but it’s personally not something I choose to partake in.

My parents have always been honest with me and Kaden about our mother’s struggles with addiction.

Her sobriety is something she works hard to keep, and I know the hereditary risk.

They gave us all the information and told us it was our choice to decide what we were comfortable with, and I made mine.

I decided I wouldn’t touch alcohol or pills because I’ve seen firsthand how they can destroy someone.

Maybe I’m being overly cautious, but it’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

I guess that’s what finding your mom unconscious on the bathroom floor after overdosing on pills will do to a kid.

“I’m sorry. You’re absolutely right, I do know. I guess I wasn’t sure if you would change your mind after coming here.”

What does transferring colleges have to do with deciding whether to drink or not?

“It’s not something I’m going to change my mind about. You’re welcome to do whatever you want, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to do it with you,” I say, sliding out from under his arm. I feel like I’m not wrong for being hurt about this. Am I overreacting?

He puts his hands up in defense, genuinely seeming taken aback by my reaction to his question. “I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

I need to chill. I think I’m letting my nerves about all the people inside get to me, and I’m getting more upset than I should about this. “It’s okay, Trent. Let’s just go inside. I want to see what all the hype is about,” I say, forcing a smile and his shoulders visibly relax.

He seems relieved I still want to go inside, pulling me with him before I do something like change my mind.

It’s funny how I get stage fright about playing my guitar in front of others when I’m putting on the best damn show tonight, smiling at all the people Trent introduces me to.

No one gives me a second look because right now, I’m not known by the zeros in my bank account.

It’s a refreshing feeling, even if I’m being paraded around this party like a show pony, tugged in whatever direction Trent pulls my lead.

Everyone I see has a drink in their hand, including my boyfriend, who by now I’m certain has had more than the two he said he’d have.

I scan over the crowd from where I sit, perched on Trent’s lap as he talks to a couple of his friends. I’m not even sure what I’m looking for until my attention catches JJ leaning against a wall, talking to a pretty blonde girl. Who is she?

I flinch, realizing I shouldn’t be worried about JJ talking to anyone. Trent’s hand rests on my hip, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. “You okay?” he asks, whispering into my ear, and I nod, forcing myself to look away from JJ.

“Sorry, just jumpy, I guess.” I stumble over my words, feeling like an idiot. What am I doing here?

“Marley, it’s okay to relax. I’m sorry about earlier. If you don’t want to drink, then I don’t want you to feel like you have to. It’s okay.” He presses a kiss to my shoulder, and I wish I felt like I did a month ago, before seeing JJ created pure chaos inside my head.

A month ago, I probably would have melted against him to keep the peace, but tonight, I’m swallowing back a sarcastic response on the tip of my tongue. I don’t need Trent to tell me it’s okay, because I know it’s okay. I don’t need his permission.

“I’m going to get some water,” I say instead, deciding it’s the safest option I have right now.

“Will you bring me back another drink?” he asks, not seeing anything wrong with what he just said, flashing me a smile I’d normally cave to. I realize one of his teammates is watching me, but I ignore it.

“If you give me your keys, then sure,” I say, standing up.

His handsome face twists in confusion, blinking at me in surprise. “Babe, I’ve barely had anything. It’s fine.”

I surprise both of us when I turn, walking away from him.

I find my way to the backyard, which still has people in it, but there are significantly less than inside the house.

The temperature drops nearly ten degrees, and I greedily breathe in the cooler air, hoping it can soothe my frustration.

There are coolers against the side of the house, but all I see after opening the lids, is hard seltzers and beer.

Of course, there’s no water. It’s a college party, and I’m the abnormality.

A throat clears behind me, and I look over my shoulder to find JJ standing there. Something I didn’t notice before was the shirt he’s wearing, bringing out the green in his eyes.

“I thought you might want this?” he asks, offering me the water bottle in his hand.

I consider telling him no, but it’s so damn stuffy inside the house, and I’m not finding any others out here. “Thanks, JJ,” I say, accepting it.

He smiles, shrugging as if it’s not a big deal when my boyfriend couldn’t be bothered to save one for me. “No biggie. They’re hard to find at these, so I snagged one earlier before they were gone.”

The irony of this isn’t lost on me, and I should go back inside, but I don’t want to.

“Why are you out here? The party’s inside.” I motion toward the house, my head spinning with the emotional whiplash I’m feeling.

“I know,” he says, chuckling. “I needed a break from all the noise. Why are you out here?”

“Because I…” I trail off, knowing how unfair it would be for me to say I’m mad at Trent for not giving me his keys, but I also can’t say I’m jealous JJ was flirting with a girl. “I needed a breather.”

“Are you okay?” he asks, moving closer to me as concern bleeds into his smooth voice.