Page 77 of The Trouble with You (Rixon Raiders 1)

“Hey, Toby.” Flick’s eyes looked past him into the car.

“Looking good, Felicity,” Jude’s voice drifted over to us and a wide smile stretched over her face.

“Ready to go?” Toby asked and she nodded eagerly, climbing into the back. I hesitated, my eyes glancing over to the gym.

“Hailee?”

“Yeah. I’m coming.” I ducked inside and pushed all thoughts of Homecoming and Cameron Chase out of my head.

“Why so glum, Sista?" Flick sipped her drink, swaying her body to the sultry beat. We’d been underdressed at the last party Toby brought us to, but tonight we stood out for different reasons.

So much for escaping.

“I’m just not feeling it,” I said, scanning the room. Kids were crammed into every inch of the house. It was nowhere near as big as Lewis Thatcher’s house, but I also hadn’t spotted any East football players, so it had that going for it.

“Toby seems keen.” Flick motioned over to the guys as they got us all another round of drinks.

“I guess.”

My best friend’s eyes narrowed and she grabbed my arm pulling me into her. “You’re moping.”

“I am not. I’m just...” Totally not thinking about how good Cameron looked.

“You should’ve just gone and talked to him.” Flick let out an exasperated breath but I didn’t reply. “Fine. Be a spoilsport. But please don’t ruin my fun. I need this, Hails. In fact,” she said conspiratorially. “I’m thinking I might do it.”

“Do it?” I stared at her blankly.

“Sex, Hails. I might have sex.”

My hand shot out, smothering her mouth. “Jesus, Flick, keep your voice down.”

“What?” She grinned. “It’s okay to say the words.”

“Are you drunk?” We’d only had two drinks.

“No, I’m not drunk. I’m merely embracing this opportunity. Jude is hot and he’s sending me all the right signals.”

“So this doesn’t have anything to do with whatever happened earlier?” My brow rose.

“It was nothing.”

Oh, it was something all right, she just didn’t want to admit whatever it was.

My eyes found Jude and Toby over her shoulder. They were heading back to us. “Just don’t make any rash decisions. Jude seems like a nice guy, but your first time should be with someone you like… really like.”

“Like you—”

“Is one of those for me?” I said, alerting Flick to the fact the guys were back. She shot me an appreciative smile, before turning to Jude and taking her new drink from him. “Want to dance?” she asked.

He shrugged but Flick wasn’t deterred. Grabbing his hand, she led them into the next room where the dancing was.

“I like her,” Toby said. “She’s got real... character.”

“Is that your polite way of saying she’s pushy?” I laughed and he smiled.

“She goes after what she wants, nothing wrong with that.” His eyes grew hooded as they lingered on me, and I lowered my gaze, needing to break the connection.

Toby was nice. A good guy. He was constantly checking if I was okay, getting me drinks, and making me laugh. And he didn’t seem as put off that my step-brother was Jason Ford as I’d first thought. But despite everything he had going for him, Toby didn’t set my world on fire.