I start to move away from Indi just as a hush settles across the room, despite the music. Looking over to the main doors, my jaw drops.
“Umm, Indi?” I grab her and turn her so she can see what I see: the three drop dead gorgeous bad boys dressed up in suits that just crashed our dance. “Isn’t that…”
She nods, gulping. “Yes, yes it is.”
I look at her, my eyes wide. “Well, I guess the message about you not doing the chasing was fully received.”
She smiles at me, blushing a little.
“And fuck anyone who says a thing. Trust me on this, whoever says shit is just jealous as fuck.” I push her in their direction just a little. She glances over her shoulder at me and I motion for her to go to them as they walk toward us. Ryker leads them, Ellis and, who I assume is Dylan, flanking him on either side.
If she wasn’t my bestie, I might almost be jealous. Instead, I am just insanely happy for her.
I drop into one of the chairs at my recently claimed table as the song changes and everyone loses their minds as the bass drops. I kick off my shoes and discreetly rub one of my feet under the table.
“You having fun?” I look up as East slides into the chair beside me.
“Should you be seen talking to me?” I tease. He frowns.
“I’m technically a chaperone. I can talk to whoever I want. Just like I talk to you in class.”
I roll my eyes at him. I get he’s on edge about what we did, but it’s not like I’m going to tell anyone. I just wish he wasn’t acting like he regretted it. He’s barely spoken to me all week, even in class. “I was joking. You know, giving you shit?”
I get up and head to the drinks table where Maverick finds me. “I wouldn’t touch the punch if I were you.” He smiles down at me, wrapping an arm over my shoulders. “Want to get out of here?”
“Maverick Riley, what on earth makes you think I want to leave this dance, and with you of all people?” His grin widens at my words.
He stoops down to whisper in my ear, “Oh I can think of a lot of reasons, princess.”
I blush a little at his insinuation.
“Did I tell you yet that you look good enough to eat?”
I cough, trying not to laugh at just how cheesy he is. “Yes, you did. But all women like to be told they’re pretty, so thank you.”
His hand brushes across the bottom of my back, skimming just above where the material of my dress sits above my ass, sending a shiver down my spine.
Nope. Not today, Satan.
And definitely not here.
I remove myself from his grasp and take a step back. “What are you doing?”
“Being friendly,” he says, wagging his eyebrows at me.
I roll my eyes at him, because despite the good day we had over the weekend… I’m still not ready to forgive him. “We’re not friends, Maverick. You made sure of that.”
“We could be friends though. You’re going to forgive me one day.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “But today is not that day and I am not that bitch. And until you guys start answering my questions, or even just fucking respecting me, that isn’t going to change.”
I walk away from him and head to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of Indi dancing like a loon on the dance floor as I leave.
The bathroom is empty when I enter, so I close the door to the stall and just lean back against it, trying to catch my breath. These boys are going to give me whiplash if they keep going back and forth like they are.
Lincoln might drive me to insanity, but at least he’s mostly consistent with his iceman routine. He’s even stopped sneaking into my bed since that night with Raleigh. I don’t pretend to know what’s going on in that head of his.
When I came back, I wanted nothing more than to reconnect with them. But too much has happened now, and I’m not sure that’s what I want anymore. Beyond the occasional mind-blowing orgasm anyway.