“I hate to be that girl, but will Finn be there?”
It’s bad enough that I’m going to be sharing an apartment with him. I’m not trying to see him outside of it unless I absolutely have to.
Aveena’s smile dies down. “Yeah, but you don’t have to talk to him. If he tries to talk to you, I’ll push him into the fire. Please, I need you there.”
To hell with it.This guy is going to be in my life whether I like it or not. Might as well get used to seeing him. Just because we have the same friends doesn’t mean we need to be friends.
My answer is a no-brainer.
“Screw Finn. My best friend needs me.”
Next thing I know, Aveena’s throwing herself into my arms and showering me with thank-yous. Seconds after she’s pulled away, my phone chimes with a text.
It’s Chance.
Chance: Are you busy tonight?
“Chance will be there,” Aveena singsongs. I look up to see her peeking over my shoulder with a grin.
“So will Finn. That’s just a disaster waiting to happen,” I point out. We’re talking about the guy that once slashed someone’s tires for just talking to me. I can’t imagine what he’ll do when he sees me kiss someone else.
Shit…
I have to go, don’t I?
If not for myself, then for Chance’s sake. I don’t want Finn to go ballistic on him.
“It’s a good idea because Finn will be there. The guy has put you through hell. It’s your turn. You deserve to be able to show off your new man, Finn or no Finn.”
And maybe that makes me petty…
But I agree.
* * *
I’ve never been a fan of beach parties.
For starters, I always end up with gallons of sand in my shoes. Oh, and let’s not forget that time last semester when the cops showed up and we all had to run to avoid getting charged with underage drinking—if you think running isn’t fun in general, try running on sandwhile drunk.
I only came because Aveena needs me, and as much as I hate the thought of seeing Finn, I hate the thought of letting her down even more. Thank God I had class tonight. It allowed me to take the bus and show up later than everybody else. The sooner I’m out of here, the better.
“Dia!” Aveena sees me as soon as I reach the bottom of the wooden steps leading to the beach. Lacey is with her, waving at me.
I wave back, crossing the distance separating us. My gaze glides around the crowded area as I’m walking over, and I immediately spot Theo, Xavier, and Finn by the fire.
Every atom in my body begs me to turn around when I zoom in on my first love. He’s wearing a low-cut, black gym tank top, his tattooed biceps and oblique muscles damn near hypnotizing the giggly sorority girls a few feet away.
I can’t lie—he looks ridiculously hot, which is rather surprising since gym tank tops don’t usually do it for me. Most guys wearing them look like absolute douchebags, but not Finn. Somehow, Finn pulls them off. He hasn’t seen me yet, and I consider faking a horrible migraine. Then I remember why I came in the first place.
Do it for Aveena.
I’m halfway to the girls when I notice a beer pong table set up a few feet away from the fire and a handful of coolers scattered around the beach. There’s no music, but TJ, one of Theo’s roommates, is sitting around the fire playing the guitar for a few of his groupies, his dirty-blond hair a tousled mess. TJ’s almost always the main attraction at parties. He sings, plays the guitar, he’s funny, he’s hot, and he’s single, although something tells me he likes it that way.
Aveena and I have been trying to set him up with Lacey for some time now, with no success, might I add. Lacey’s had no action since she got over her mad crush on Theo last year. She jokes about being forever single, but she doesn’t really try to put herself out there. It’s like she’s developed a full-blown allergy to the male species.
“About time. I was afraid you’d miss the fireworks.” Aveena pulls me into a hug once I slow down by her side.
“Sorry I’m late. I needed a nap after class,” I lie.