Page 14 of Stay (Stay #1)

CASSIDY

W ith our arms linked, Brooklyn and I get absorbed into a herd of students heading to the same party.

My brows rise as I stare up at the large Victorian that looms in front of us.

It looks as if it’s bursting at the seams with people.

Even though it’s only nine o’clock on a Friday night, drunken revelers are spilling out onto the darkened lawn, plastic beer cups in hand, laughing and hollering as music pulses from inside.

I give Brooklyn at bit of side-eye. “Jeez. It looks like the entire campus is here.”

“Didn’t you see the flyers plastered all over school? I think it’s a,” she uses her fingers to make air quotes “fundraiser.”

I can only imagine what will be bought with the money they make tonight.

Probably more red plastic cups and beer.

It takes effort to push through the throng of people and make our way inside the house.

My gaze darts around, overwhelmed by the sheer number of partiers crammed inside the living room.

Every square inch of space is occupied. And if I’d thought the music was pumping outside, it’s much louder once you’re inside the space.

I have no idea how we’ll ever find Cole or Austin in this mess .

Just as that thought flits through my head, there’s a tap on my shoulder.

I turn, because honestly, if this is going to be another party where my ass is constantly being grabbed, I’m out of here.

Blaring music and a bunch of drunken strangers looking for a hookup isn’t exactly my scene.

Instead, I find Cole staring down at me with that trademark sexy smile lighting up his face.

Wait a minute…did I just think that?

Unconsciously, my gaze drops from his eyes to his lips.

He really does have a sexy smile. Actually, if I’m being honest with myself, Cole is just plain sexy.

Crap.

I am so over my head with him.

Closing the distance between us, he whispers in my ear, “Remember, we’re taking this slow.” He draws back enough to stare at my face. “You keep looking at me like that, and I’m not sure how slow I’ll be able to keep things.”

That’s all it takes for me to rip my gaze from his. A couple of seconds tick by before I feel the slide of his fingers beneath my chin. He lifts it until I have no other choice but to meet his penetrating stare. I suck in a breath as he pins me in place with his scorching hot gaze.

“I’m not saying I don’t like it,” he says. “I just want you to know that it affects me.” His fingers stroke the delicate flesh beneath my chin before sliding upward to cradle my cheek.

Nerves explode in the pit of my belly as I glance around the packed room, searching for a new topic. “I can’t believe how many people are here.”

I have to clear my throat when it unexpectedly cracks.

A knowing smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he allows our previous conversation to drop before taking a look around and nodding. “There’s a band playing in the backyard. Let’s grab something to drink and we can head back there for a while. You want a beer?”

I shake my head.

I’m not against drinking, it’s just not something I do anymore. I like to be clearheaded and in control. Especially around Cole. He scrambles my brain more than alcohol.

“How about a bottle of water or cola instead?”

Already my throat feels parched. “I’ll take water, please.”

I turn to ask if Brooklyn wants something, but she’s no longer behind me. I blink at the space she’d been occupying only minutes ago. So much for sticking together.

“I guess it’s just me,” I add.

“Well, I’m happy to see just you.” His fingers wrap around mine. He watches me for a moment as if to gauge my reaction.

I release a sigh when nothing happens.

All right, maybe that’s not exactly true. There’s a little shiver of pleasure snaking its way through me. Because Cole is usually so smooth with his lines, I can’t resist teasing, “Just so you know, that was really lame.”

He laughs as if pleased by my comment. “Maybe, but it’s absolutely true.” Then he jerks his head toward the back of the house. “I’ll bet Austin and Brooklyn are already there.”

With that, he tugs me through the thick crowd of people standing inside the living room. As we weave our way around groups of students, I notice how Cole catches the attention of several girls we move past.

As we pass through the kitchen, Cole snags two bottles of water before handing one to me.

“Thanks.” I twist off the cap and take a long drink.

“No problem.”

With his hand wrapped around mine, he tows me toward the back door. Even though there are just as many people jam-packed into the large, fenced-in yard, there’s a lot more room to spread out. The band is already set up in one corner of the yard, tuning their instruments.

“Dude, there are so many hot girls here!”

I turn in the direction of that booming voice until my gaze slams into a barrel-like chest before gradually climbing upward until I can see his face .

It’s one I, unfortunately, recognize.

The corners of my mouth tug down at the corners as I stare at Alex.

I haven’t had the pleasure of running into him since the night we got into it at that party.

Equally silent, he stares back at me as if trying to place where he knows me from.

It only takes a few seconds before he makes the connection.

“Hey.” His eyes widen before narrowing. “I remember you!” His gaze slides accusingly to Cole who stands at my side.

“That’s the girl who got all those crazy chicks mad at me.

” Gone is all his jovial disposition. “Do you know that they yelled at me for at least forty minutes? It was a total buzzkill. And they wouldn’t stop following me around for the rest of the night either.

There wasn’t a single girl who would talk to me after that.

” He thrusts out his lower lip like a sullen toddler.

It’s difficult to take him seriously when he’s pouting and glaring like that.

The temptation to laugh is almost impossible to resist. Instead, I smile sweetly. “Hi Alex, good to see you again.”

His expression turns pinched. “Why are you here?”

Before I can respond— because trust me, there’s one on the tip of my tongue and it wasn’t going to be nice—Cole cuts me off.

“She’s with me.” This is followed up with, “Do you have a problem with that?”

I blink. I have yet to witness Cole get all hard-assed.

It’s shocking just how sexy it is. I want to throw my hands up in disgust because everything the guy does is attractive.

Alex’s deep brown gaze swings from Cole to me and then back again before he lifts his hands in a gesture of surrender. “There’s no problem.”

Cole’s voice is still tough as nails when he adds, “Maybe you shouldn’t go around ass grabbing, if you don’t want to have a pack of angry chicks bitching you out all night.”

Alex’s eyes narrow as his lips thin. “Maybe.” He gives me a glowering stare before stalking toward the house.

An apology sits on the tip of my tongue as I swing toward Cole, but he beats me to the punch .

“I’m sorry about Alex. Believe it or not, he’s actually a decent guy.”

“Clearly,” I agree with a laugh. The jury is out on that one. That’s now two crappy interactions I’ve had with the guy.

His lips tremble around the corners. “I’m serious, he really is. He can just be a little dense sometimes. He’ll come around.” There’s a beat of silence before he tacks on, “Eventually.”

“I’m sure he will.” I won’t, however, hold my breath.

For the next couple of hours, we listen to the band.

They’re a local group who play at a lot of bars around town.

They also perform exclusively at the hockey parties, since the lead singer knows one of Cole’s teammates.

Before I realize it, I’m dancing with Cole, Austin, and Brooklyn.

After a while, Alex joins in. In a shocking twist, he turns out to be smooth on his feet.

A few drinks later, he sidles up to me like a puppy dog with its tail tucked between his legs and apologizes for grabbing me a couple of weeks ago. Even though I’m pleasantly surprised by the olive branch, I can’t help but wonder if Cole put him up to it.

Once we’ve exhausted ourselves from dancing, we stand near the front of the makeshift stage, listening as the band finishes up their last set. By now, the crowd has thinned, and the atmosphere is mellower. I stifle a yawn. As awesome as tonight has been, it feels like it’s time to head home.

My gaze coasts over the crowd, searching for Brooklyn or Austin, but I don’t see them.

Cole leans down and whispers, “I think they disappeared upstairs about twenty minutes ago. Do you want me to see if she’s staying over?”

I shake my head, already knowing that I’ll be walking back without her. “No.”

She’s been crashing here with Austin quite a bit. I assume it’s a pattern that will only increase in frequency. Brooklyn is past her usual expiration date when it comes to settling down with one guy. I think she must really like him.

Cole is quiet for a few moments. “I can drive you home or, if you want—” uncertainty flicks across his expression “—you can crash here tonight.”

I suck in a breath.

Before I can shake my head, he forces out the rest in a rush of words. “We’d just sleep, I swear. Or you can stay in my room, and I’ll bunk somewhere else. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

He steps toward me, drawing me into the warm circle of his arms until I’m able to feel the heat of his body. “I know you need to take this slow, and I don’t want to push you into something that makes you uncomfortable. So, if it does, I’ll grab my keys and take you home.”

Surprised by his thoughtful offer, I chew my lower lip.

Do I want to spend the night?

With Cole .

My mouth turns bone-dry as that thought rolls around in my head. Sleeping is the only thing we’d be doing. There’s no way I’m ready for anything more. Even though Cole kind of makes me want more.