After we met, we talked about school, our interests, and general information about ourselves, but I never thought a deep emotional connection had formed. We were very casual in our dating, especially since dates never went past much more than surface level conversation and maybe some kissing.

Sure his smile was infectious and he made me laugh about absolutely nothing, but were we at a point to get serious?

A silence stretched between us for the first time. The sound of the wind, the leaves, and the distant party filled the air. I smelled the garden, the pool, and the faintness of cigarette smoke. I breathed.

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have to respond now, I know I put you on the spot. Why don’t we go back to your place and hang out?”

Should I just get it over with?

It was safe to say the car ride was awkward. Kelly turned me down to go home early and gave me weird vibes, but she had a drink thrown on her. I couldn’t really say I’d be in the best mood with a dried cocktail on my dress either.

He walked me to my door with a nervous smile on his face. Maybe he thought I’d reject him. I didn’t want to reject him. I wanted to know him on a deeper level before we made things official. My mom never had anyone after my dad left, and she told me to be very picky with the men with my heart. And money.

​Chapter 10

Brent

The bass of the party’s music pounded in my bones as I navigated through the crowd in the dark. Bodies were everywhere and everyone was wasted out of their minds. My ears bled when Sloane’s voice cut through the crowd. She was giving some girl a hard time, swaying as she spoke.

I took a closer look and Blondie was next to the girl Sloane was laying into. Her laughter was a bit too loud, movements too unsteady, and I could smell trouble. She was beyond drunk.

“Take it off!” She yelled. I couldn’t hear much else, but it didn’t look good.

There was some extra commotion and then she threw her drink onto Fallon’s friend. Goddamn it.

“You bitch!” Kelly swiped at her dress and left quickly.

Fallon was frozen in place looking far too adorable with her wide eyes. She looked shocked and unsure of what to do before Sloane spun around to walk away. Well, stumbled.

I waited for her to get far enough away to snag her by her arm.

“Hey, baby,” she drawled.

“Sloane,” I hissed, motioning for her little minions to leave her to us.