Page 11

Liza

“ H mmm.” I tap my bare feet to the music blasting through my phone against the cool tile floor of our joined bathroom. “I love this song.”

Emberly opens the door to her bedroom to peek at what I’m up to. “Almost ready?”

I pucker my lips and apply a light pink gloss before rubbing them together and checking the finished product. “Very close.”

“You look amazing!” She walks beside me and leans her head against my shoulder. “I couldn’t pull this off.”

“You absolutely can,” I huff. “You need to believe it.”

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Yeah. Yeah. Self-confidence and all that jazz.”

“It’s a thing.” I run my fingers through the loose curls of my hair once more to create a relaxed look.

Turning around, I check out the outfit I chose for tonight’s party in the mirror.

I went with an edgier look, opting for my black leather zip-up corset top that makes my chest look phenomenal paired with my light washed jeans that hug my curves in the best places.

“I wish you were coming, though. Are you sure? I can whip up a look for you in no time.” Clutching my hands together, I playfully beg Emberly to join me at the house party we heard rumbling about from some girls down the hall.

Apparently it’s at Springs U’s quarterback, Mason Miller’s, house.

The girls said his parties are always the top ones of the year, so of course, I need to make an appearance.

“I’m positively partied out for at least a few weeks.” She plays with the loose bun thrown on top of her head. “I’ll be more than occupied working on my blog.”

“I get it, but I’ll miss you.” Reaching around her waist, I squeeze tight before stepping toward the door to stuff my keys into my back pocket.

“Call me if you need a ride.” She waves goodbye before scooting into her solar system lit room.

“Will do!” I throw back before shutting the door and jogging downstairs to the rideshare I ordered.

Hartley

Thumping music from the DJ rattles through Mason’s house.

House would be modest. He lives in a mansion fit for a king.

People crowd the winding staircase, hanging all over each other, leading up to the empty bedrooms. Mason’s dad is a retired NFL player with loads of cash, hence the over the top college living arrangement.

His parties are fully staffed with bartenders and a clean-up crew to follow behind the sloppy drunks spilling alcohol on the expensive marble floors.

Nursing my beer, I take in the sights of the party.

Of all the parties I’ve been to, this one takes the cake.

Mason catches my eyes from across the room, nuzzled with girls under each arm. “Dude.” He parts the crowd and makes a beeline straight for me. “What’s up?” He reaches out to shake my hand.

“Taking it all in.” Gulping down the rest of my beer, I continue, “This is insane, man.”

He laughs and instinctively wraps his arm around a third girl that knocks her hips against his. “A party fit for legends. We’re going to kill it this season. Your routes are looking strong.”

“No doubt. I’m gunning for rookie of the year.

” A leggy blonde finds her spot next to me.

Her long nails rake down my back, sending goosebumps across my skin.

Mason shoots me a wicked smile and turns back to the crowd with girls firmly placed under his arms. Her scent’s a sweet coconut smell, but her breath is minty as I turn my focus solely on her. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

“Kali,” she whispers seductively against my ear. As a football player, it’s never been difficult to find girls, but college upped it to a whole new level. “Are you new?”

“New to you,” I growl. Her nails continue to rub my back, slowly making their way up to the base of my neck.

“Where’ve you been hiding?”

“Depends on who you. . .” My focus darts to a flash of blonde across the room.

She’s surrounded by girls, tossing her head back and releasing a carefree laugh that sends a smile across my face.

She’s torturing me in a tight, black top that accentuates her features in the best way.

I know I should tear my eyes away, but it’s hard to pull my focus from the happiness that radiates from her eyes and the sound of her laugh, even from a distance.

“Did you hear me?” Kali taps my chest to regain my focus on her.

“Huh? Yeah, sure. I’ll see you around.” Gently removing her arms from my neck, I pat her shoulder and push through the crowd to talk to Liza.

Pulling off my backwards hat, I comb my hands through my thick hair before tapping her shoulder. “Goldie.” She whips around and plasters that smile across her face at the sight of me. Her attention alone sends warmth through my body and a nervousness I typically don’t feel.

She crosses her arms across her chest and gives me a mischievous look. “Are you following me, Hotshot?” Alcohol permeates from her breath, clearly having had a few drinks since she’s been here. “Or am I just that irresistible?”

“Just trying to be a good friend and welcome you to the party.”

“Friends do that.” She laughs and cups her hands over her mouth. “They do.” “This place is ridiculous.” She waves her hands, gesturing the magnitude of the mansion and party. “I didn’t expect this.”

“Yeah, neither did I. Must be nice to have a full staff clean up after house parties. I’ve always had to do it hungover the next morning.”

“Same! It’s a rite of passage after hosting a party, in my opinion.” She turns her head to look around once more. “I figured you’d have your flavor of the night by now. Need help scoping one out?” Her wink sends a jolt straight through my chest.

“Nah. There’s only one girl I really want to impress, but sadly, she shoved me in the friend zone.”

She taps her chin and puckers those shiny lips to think. “What a shame. She sounds like a real babe. Probably out of your league, though.”

“Definitely out of my league. Doesn’t mean I won’t keep shooting my shot.”

She shakes her head and reaches for my wrist before dragging her eyes to the point where our skin meets.

A jolt of electricity ripples through my hand and up my arms where we share contact.

Her cheeks instantly flush, and everything around us fades to black.

There’s no noise or distractions, just the two of us, alone in our little stolen moment.

Her lustful eyes drift up, connecting with mine. “I. . .”

A broad body shuffles in behind her. “Liza.”

Her eyes flutter, ripping away from mine before I’m met with the back of her head. “Locke!” She throws her arms around his neck as he spins her around twice before dropping her back to the ground. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

Why is she so friendly with Locke?

“Come on, baby. I wouldn’t miss a party.” He catches my attention. “Hey, Knox.” He juts his chin out to acknowledge me.

My jaw clenches tight and my hands white knuckle grip by my side. “Locke.” Of course she’s cuddled up with this stellar guy. “How do you two know each other?” I wince out, pointing to the pair.

“Uhhh. . .” Locke looks up, trying to remember where he met Liza.

How could anyone forget the moment she storms into your life?

“A few weeks ago at a party, right, Liz?”

“Yep,” she responds, popping the ‘p.’ “You cut in at the perfect time.” She twists slightly to catch my eyes again. “I need a drink.” Dropping his hands to the small of her back, he rubs the leather clenching her skin before moving forward.

“Follow me.” He takes off toward the bar and Liza follows behind, passing me with a flip of her hair.

Cupping my hands around my mouth, I yell, “Goldie!” Locke is too far into the thick crowd to hear, but Liza’s head snaps back, her eyes filled with something I can’t quite figure out. I wave for her to take a few steps closer to me. “If you needed a drink, all you had to do was ask.”

“That’s the thing,” she rolls off her tongue, the sweet smell of alcohol rolling off her tongue and her proximity turns my mind to mush.

“Getting a drink with Locke is unserious. He knows the score.” She reaches to the top of my arm and rubs her nails down to my fingers, sending goosebumps across my skin.

“Getting a drink with you would mean more, and I can’t have you thinking I can give you anything but here and now. ”

I swallow the sensations she brings out in me.

“You’re right.” My thumb rubs across her fingers, still firmly planted on my sweaty hand.

“Here and now will never be enough for the two of us. Would it?” I shoot her a wink to her before forcing myself to unlock our touch.

Never taking a moment to look back at her.

Because that would mean seeing her join Locke at the bar, kiss him, maybe grind on him to dance.

Yeah, I can’t do that to myself. What I need is a distraction, and Kali from earlier will do the trick.