Being that close to her, as I had her pinned to the wall, ignited something inside me that I didn’t expect. The way her breath hitched and her heart pounded inside her chest, it was a sight to be seen. It took every restraint I had not to kiss her right then and there.
Delaney Callahan is too perfect—not just for me, but for anyone. I know one day she’ll find someone deserving of her, maybe a doctor or some kind of diplomat with a foreign accent. I just hope I’m not around to see that happen, and I sure as shit will never allow it to be Carter Trayland, of all fucking people.
“Okay, break’s over,” Jackson announces, pulling me from my thoughts. “Vaughn, let’s go.”
I get up from my spot on the floor and come at him hot, swinging my fists as hard as I can. Suddenly, I have a lot of pent-up anger to take out, and if the look on Jackson’s face is anything to go by, I should use that to my advantage.
THE MASSIVE HOUSE IS filled with kids from all over town. It’s probably the biggest party I’ve been to in years, since just about everyone from both schools was invited. I’m pretty sure Tessa’s motto was quantity over quality with this one, and I can only imagine what’s going through Delaney’s mind right now.
I walk through the crowded living room and toward the kitchen, looking for my friends. Sure enough, they’re exactly where I thought they would be—near the alcohol. Tessa is wearing a princess tiara and dancing around to the music while Easton checks her out. I roll my eyes and walk over to Zayn.
“Is she drunk already?”
“Stoned,” Z corrects. “E gave her a blunt for her birthday.”
Tess holds up one finger and takes a sip of her beer. “A blunt and three orgasms. Best. Present. Ever.”
We all laugh while Easton grins, clearly proud of himself. The music in here is so loud I can barely hear myself think, but I don’t think that’s why I feel like something, or someone, is missing. I try to seem as indifferent as possible as I look at Tessa.
“Where’s your shadow?”
She smirks and points toward the den.
The second I find her, my whole world is knocked right off its axis. On her worst day, Delaney is a fucking knockout—a girl who could put even the hottest of models to shame. But tonight, she’s something else entirely. The red dress she’s wearing leaves little to the imagination as the fabric clings to her body. Her light brown hair cascades down her back and curls at the ends, and the lightest touch of makeup accentuates her flawless face.
“Holy shit.” I gawk, unable to focus on anything but her.
She’s fucking breathtaking, and clearly, I’m not the only one who thinks so.
All her prep-school friends are joking around about something I honestly don’t give a shit about. My eyes get stuck on Carter, who is sitting about sixty feet too close for my liking. He’s looking at her like lovestruck puppy, and I fight the urge to pick her up, caveman-style, and carry her ass out of here.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” I spit.
Tessa follows my line of sight. “Who, Carter? He’s harmless.”
“Harmless, my ass. Look at the way he’s staring at her.”
She smirks. “Jealous, Knoxie? Maybe you should go over there and take what’s yours.”
My jaw stiffens as I try to reign in my fury. Never in my life have I been jealous of a douchebag like Carter Trayland. He’s an entitled tool by every means measurable. And yet, standing here, watching him joke around with the only girl to hold my attention for longer than an hour, I’d give anything to be him right now.
Fucking hell.
BY THE TIME I get to so much as speak to Delaney, I’ve already been here for over an hour. She comes over to talk to her sister for a second, and her eyes land on me. Her red lipstick contrasts against her white teeth as she smiles, and it becomes that much harder to keep myself away from her.
“Hey. I didn’t see you come in.”
I look around. “How could you? There’s like three hundred people here.”
She laughs and cuts her eyes at her sister. “I wonder whose fault that is.” Tessa whistles, refusing to make eye contact, and Delaney focuses back on me. “Well, I’m glad you came.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Happy Birthday.”
She gives me a thankful grin before going back to her friends. Zayn and Stone both start nudging me with their elbows.
“She’s glad you came,” Stone mocks playfully.
I shove him away and tell him to fuck off, but there’s nothing I can do to keep the stupid smile off my face. What the fuck is this girl doing to me?