Page 56 of Every Hidden Truth

Her expression was conflicted, and I met her eyes briefly, cocking my head in question. She just needed to push him away. All she had to do was come with me. But her eyes dropped submissively, and she snuggled into Shawn’s chest.

“Yeah, faggot, mind your own business,” she muttered with little heat in the insult.

Shawn grinned victoriously, and my stomach dropped. “That clear enough for you? Now get lost before I rearrange your face.”

Without awaiting a response, Shawn led Erin around the corner and out of sight. I wanted to follow and force her to come back with me, but I couldn’t. She had the right to choose, even if she chose wrong.

Maybe I’d misread the situation. For her sake, I hoped so.

When I returned to our table, Ben and Esther were gone, lost to the sea of dancers. Ronnie and Jordan were talking about Fortnite as Amber ignored them, doing something on her phone.

Face red and sweaty, Harris collapsed in the chair next to me and chugged his punch as he shook his head. “I just can’t keep up with her.”

We both turned to the dance floor watching as Kim and Caroline squished Caroline’s date—whose name I’d already forgotten—between them as they danced. “Well, that’s Kim for you,” I said. “Think you can handle it?”

“I like her,” he said like it was an answer.

“That’s cool, man.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “I think she likes you too.”

I watched as Ben danced with Esther, eventually joining Kim, Caroline, and What’s-His-Name in a dance circle.

“All right.” Ronnie grabbed my arm and practically dragged me to standing. “Let’s go.”

“Let’s go where?” I jerked out of his hold with a scowl.

“Our dates have danced with each other long enough.” He jerked his thumb toward the sea of dancers. “It’s our turn.”

It was immature to feel challenged, but I didn’t want to back down. Especially because Kim had sidled up next to Ben and was practically grinding on him. What the hell?

“Fine,” I said as I followed Ronnie.

As Ronnie commandeered Esther, Ben circled Kim’s waist and swayed with her, completely oblivious to me, standing right here! The audacity.

Kim saw me first, and she grinned mischievously as she pushed her ass into Ben’s groin and undulated. My jaw dropped, and she winked.

Not to be outdone, I invaded their space and trapped Kim between us, smirking as Ben finally noticed me, his eyes going wide with alarm. Kim, being Kim, merely spread her lips in a sultry smile and accepted me into the sandwich.

“Every yaoi lover’s dream,” she cooed, closing her eyes and losing herself to the music.

Glaring daggers at Ben, I swayed to the rhythm, hands on Kim’s thighs where her short, white dress met skin.

“It’s on like Donkey Kong, bitch,” I yelled over the music, and Ben roared with laughter.

The three of us danced, tangled in a mass of sweaty limbs as I did my best to piss Ben off. I ignored him completely, focusing solely on Kim. Of course, Ben didn’t care. He just kept laughing like an asshole.

Like she could sense my mounting irritation, Kim wiggled out from between us and made her escape as I gave her the stink-eye.

“Don’t be such a drama queen,” Ben said, hand finding my waist and encouraging me closer.

I turned my glower to him, but he kept smiling, drawing me in until we were almost chest-to-chest.

“Dance with me.” He kissed the spot beneath my ear, and I felt myself thawing.

“I don’t dance,” I said, trying to resist his charms.

“Kim says you dance very well.”

“Only when I’m drunk,” I said.

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