Page 63 of The Ruthless Rivalry

“Drinks?” Christopher offers.

“Absolutely,” I reply, grateful for the offer. The heat from all the bodies packed into the house is already making me feel parched.

Christopher turns to the bar, expertly mixing cocktails with a flourish. “Two of my special concoctions, coming right up,” he announces with a wink.

As we wait, I scan the room, taking in the scene. The party is in full swing, with people dancing, laughing, and shouting over the music. In one corner, I spot a group playing an animated game of beer pong. Near the sliding glass doors leading to the shore, a cluster of partygoers are passing around what looks suspiciously like a joint. I wouldn’t be surprised if Christopher was also providing those in addition to the drinks.

He hands us our drinks—a fruity concoction in vibrant blue that smells strongly of rum. I take a tentative sip and am pleasantly surprised by the sweet, tropical flavor that masks the potent alcohol beneath.

“This is delicious,” Aubrey says, her eyes widening as she takes a sip, and I can’t help but notice the suspiciously vibrant blue color of the drink looks like the exact shade of her large, bright eyes. She holds it up to the light, inspecting it before taking another sip. “What’s in it?”

Christopher grins mischievously. “That’s my secret, Ree Ree. But I promise it’ll make for a fun night.”

Ree Ree? He had a cute nickname for her? I blink, a little caught off guard by the familiarity between them. Aubrey catches my look, giving me a pointed glance that silently says,Don’t ask.

I take another sip of my drink, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through my chest, but my mind keeps wandering back to the color—so perfectly matching the shade of Aubrey’s eyes. Was that intentional? I glance over at Christopher, but he’slooking at Aubrey, a playful gleam in his eyes, like he knows something I don’t.

Aubrey, completely unaware of my thoughts, tugs me by the hand. “Come on,” she says, giving me a grin. “Let’s dance!”

She pulls me to the center of the room where bodies are pressed together, moving in rhythm to the pulsing beat. The alcohol begins to warm my insides, and I feel myself loosening up as we join the crowd.

Aubrey and I move, our bodies swaying in sync. The music seeps into my veins, the rhythm guiding my movements as if I’m under a spell.

The room spins around us, a blur of faces and flashing lights. I lose track of time, caught up in the music and the intoxicating presence of Aubrey. We pause only to sip our drinks, the sweet concoction making my head buzz pleasantly.

“Having fun?” Aubrey shouts over the music, her lips close to my ear.

I nod, unable to keep the grin off my face. “This is amazing!”

As we dance, I notice a few admiring glances thrown our way. Aubrey, oblivious to the attention, continues to move with abandon, her eyes closed and a serene smile on her face. I can’t help but be drawn to her carefree energy.

The pulse of the music surrounds me, but suddenly, I feel a presence behind me—someone slipping through the crowd with a quiet confidence. Before I can even fully register the sensation, a pair of hands land on my waist, pulling me backward into a firm chest. The shock of it nearly knocks the air out of me, and I freeze.

I lean back instinctively, but only for a second. The arms tighten around my waist, and I feel the warmth of someone’s breath against my neck. A strange flutter stirs somewhere deep in my chest—something small, faint—but it’s enough to make me freeze. I quickly try to dismiss it, knowing exactly who it is now.

“Sylvester?” I ask, my voice sharper than I intend. His grip doesn’t loosen, his fingers pressing into the curve of my waist, a little too familiar, a little too…comfortable.

“Hey, Alex,” he purrs, his voice smooth and far too playful. “I saw you out here and thought we could share a dance.”

My heart skips a beat, but not in the way I want it to. Irritation rises as my thoughts instantly race to my shadow and how he’d shown up looking far too handsome at my dorm room earlier. I should pull away, tell Sylvester off, but before I can, someone interrupts.

“I have to pee!”

I spin around to see Aubrey, her eyes wide, a little dazed, but the urgency in her voice is enough to snap me out of my thoughts. I can’t help but laugh, even as she grabs my wrist, practically dragging me away from him.

“Come on, Alex!” she insists, pulling me through the crowd. “Bathroom, now!”

I glance over my shoulder one last time, catching Sylvester’s grin. He looks as carefree as ever, like nothing could ruffle him. It’s enough to make me roll my eyes, but also…there’s that flutter in my chest again. I ignore it, focusing on Aubrey, who’s leading me toward the bathroom with a determined grip.

We burst through the door, the sudden quiet a stark contrast to the pulsing beat outside. Aubrey immediately heads for the single toilet behind the second door inside the room, leaving me alone with my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, eyes bright with a mix of excitement and bewilderment. What just happened out there?

“Oh my god!” Aubrey’s high-pitched voice echoes from the stall. “I just remembered! I forgot to put on underwear.”

We both pause for a few seconds before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, hers muffled by the closed door.

I manage to catch my breath long enough to say, “Well, at least you can’t say the night’s been boring.”

Aubrey’s voice comes back, dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, because nothing says ‘good time’ like a spontaneous, panty-less adventure.”

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