Page 30

AMELIA

Three shots in and the dim room spins round and round. Maya and I are on the dance floor having the best time. Her hips sway and I rest my hands on them following her movements, swinging my curls around.

My mind drifts to Caleb. Ten thousand dollars. He paid that much to get rid of footage when all we had to do was post a few more photos of us to steer everyone’s attention. Is he nuts? And on top of that…he referred to me as his girlfriend again, which was so freaking attractive.

The buzz from these drinks is swirling through my veins, and it’s making me think of very bad things tonight. His arms, mouth, hands, hair.

My eyes start to weigh down, as I scour the place for Caleb in the sea of people.

Some guy approaches behind Maya drawing her attention to him, they start talking, and it looks like they’re hitting it off.

So, I excuse myself and maneuver through the sea of celebrities and athletes, internally freaking out.

These are the people I’ve seen all over TV. Thankfully, I haven’t run into any actors yet, but maybe that’s a good thing considering my current state. I’d most likely make a fool of myself in front of my celebrity crush.

The music pulses through my body, making me feel alive as I finally catch the sight of Caleb sitting in the VIP booth with Carter, sipping champagne.

“There you are,” I say, sliding into the booth next to him.

“Here I am.” He smiles.

“I’m already ready to go and I just got here,” Nico’s voice catches me off guard as he walks up to the booth.

“Don’t be a party pooper.” Carter groans, tipping his champagne glass towards him. “Have a drink, man.”

“Fine.” Nico shakes his head but caves. “Need a refill?” He glances down at me with dark eyes that pierce right through me.

“No, thanks.”

“Thanks for the offer.” Caleb scoffs, while he leans back against the plush booth.

“Welcome.” Nico grins, heading for the bar.

“I’m getting another drink too,” Carter announces, slipping out of the booth to follow him.

And then there were two.

I cross my legs, angling myself toward him.

His gaze lowers to my bare thighs, lingering there for a second too long before his jaw clenches. Then, slowly, he drags his eyes back up.

“You’re staring.”

“Am I?” He exhales a quiet laugh, tapping his fingers against his glass.

“Mhm.” I smirk, lifting my glass to my lips and peering at him over the rim.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Look at me like that.” He leans in slightly, close enough that I catch the faint scent of alcohol on his breath. “Because I might get the wrong idea.”

That was not what I expected him to say. At all.

Tilting my head, I let my gaze drop to his mouth, boldness oozing out of me. “Would that be so bad?”

His lips twitch.

“You didn’t answer,” I press, my pulse picking up speed.

His eyes darken, taking a swig of his drink.

I should look away. But I don’t.

“You’re drunk,” he murmurs, fingers gripping onto his glass so tight, it could shatter.

“So are you.”

A beat of silence.

My hand reaches up, cupping one side of his face, bringing him closer to me as our breaths mingle together. The smell of champagne and whiskey mixing together in perfect harmony.

This is so wrong, we shouldn’t be doing this. We’re both drunk and this will only lead to complications. He doesn’t even mean it, but god. I want it.

He sets his glass down with a clink, his hand brushing against my thigh, so warm that it heats up my body.

“Tell me stop,” he whispers, gripping the fabric of my dress.

“No.”

“Fuck,” he lets out a shaky exhale, leaning his cheek into my palm, emerald eyes locking onto mine, desperate. “What the hell are you doing to me?”

“I don’t know,” my lips hover near his, barely brushing against the subtle warmth of his mouth as it sends tingles up my spine.

Our lips play a game together.

Teasing, lingering, drawing back.

And then the games stop.

His mouth crashes against mine, and I groan into the kiss, his free hand grips the back of my curls pulling me in closer, deepening it like he’s a man starving.

I kiss him back just as hungrily, my hands sliding down his neck to his chest, curling my fingers to knot up the fabric of his shirt.

Our kiss is frantic.

My lips move urgently against his mouth, my tongue slipping inside, as he lets out a low growl. He tugs at my bottom lip with his teeth, breaking our kiss to skim his lips across my jawline, leaving me breathless.

My hands cup his face again, bringing him back to my lips, not wanting to stop. I moan into his mouth, as his hands slide up my thigh slow, tentative.

I pant against his lips, aching for more. Our tongues brush again, tasting the liquor, and intoxicating me more.

His hands slide higher, slipping beneath my dress, setting my skin ablaze. His fingers inch closer to my underwear…so close to where I want him most.

A loud crash of glasses breaking near the bar pulls us apart instantly. We both look at each other, breathing heavily, as reality settles in on what we just did.

“Shit.” He rakes a hand through his hair, still catching his breath. “Amelia, that was?—”

“A mistake,” I blurt out. The words tasting sour on my tongue.

Why did I say that?

He doesn’t answer right away, he just looks at me with those eyes that make me question everything.

“Right,” he mutters, reaching for his drink again. “A mistake.”

The hollowness in his voice makes my chest tighten. I want to say I didn’t mean it, that the kiss felt right in more ways than I can count but the words are stuck in my throat.

We’re both under the influence. He was caught up in the moment.

And me…I haven’t let anyone in for a year. I’m terrified of screwing something up.

Kill me now.

The morning light shines through my blinds, and I groan, pulling the covers over my head.

“I need blackout curtains immediately,” I mumble, my head once again feels like it’s been smashed in by a brick as last night’s events come crashing back.

Tell me to stop.

No.

What the hell are you doing to me?

Heat creeps up my face, and I twist, burying my face in my silk pillow, wishing I could take back what I said.

It was a mistake.

I blindly extend my hand, slapping it against the nightstand, and fumble around, hoping my drunk self was smart enough to plug my phone in.

My fingers brush against a nylon cable, and I sigh in relief when I realize the other end is connected to my phone. At least I did something right.

I exhale, sitting up against the edge of my bed, sliding my feet into my pink fuzzy slippers I got from my dad for Christmas with the words “Best Daughter” written on the top of each foot.

They make me smile every time I wear them.

It’s been months since I’ve seen my parents, so I can’t wait for the Bahamas.

I briskly text the girls group chat now labeled:

Chicks before dicks

You can probably guess who decided to name it that.

Tia, how are you feeling?

She answers in record speed, which probably means she’s walking. She bought this under the desk treadmill so she can answer emails while she gets a workout in. Resourceful at its finest.

Tia

Better. Amir says I’m definitely dehydrated and need to relax… but I also need to workout.

Shhh. Don’t tell him I’m on the treadmill.

Maya

I’m sure he gave you a full body scan to come up with that analysis.

Really? lol

Tia

Maya honey…can’t you get your mind out of the gutter for one day?

You girls need to get laid.

Hey! I didn’t even say anything!

Maya

I kinda did last night.

Hence the new group chat name.

Aw man. He was cute, what happened?

Maya

Couldn’t make me come. He kept licking and flicking…and nada. Wasn’t doing it for me.

I left in the middle of it. I got bored. Told him I had to feed my fish.

I think I left my lipgloss.

MAYA LMAO

You don’t even have a fish tank.

Tia

Damn.

You created a villain.

Maya

Stop. Now you’re making me feel bad…for a man. Someone slap me out of it.

Tia

I’M ON IT.

My best friends are a mess.

As I finish getting ready for work, my phone dings on the table.

@calebhayes has tagged you in a post.

Clicking on the notification, it’s the photo we took last night.

My pretty girl.

God, he’s not making this any easier.