Page 45 of The Late Hit
“They’re just friends,” Mother answers for us. Even though it’s the truth, this is one of those instances where I totally would’ve played into a fake relationship, like in one of the books Chloe is always talking about.
At girls’ night, she couldn’t stop talking about a book she just finished where the super hot football player pretends to date a girl on the team’s PR staff. I guess he reads all the sexy scenes she has highlighted in her books so he can learn what she likes in bed. Talk about freaking hot. Andgo himfor taking the initiative to learn how to please her.
Madeline starts eyeing Quinton like he’s her dinner tonight. It’s super awkward, especially since her date is sitting next to her.
Tristan clears his throat, bringing Madeline’s attention back to him instead of eye-fucking Q, but not before she mutters, “That’s quite a shame. A guy like you shouldn’t be single.”
Thankfully, we are interrupted by a server coming to pick up the salad plates.
The rest of dinner goes off without a hitch. Quinton and I are lost in our delicious main course of filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Once dishes are cleared, Quinton leans in close to me, brushing my hair off my shoulder. His breath is warm on my neck.
“Want to go dance?” he whispers against my ear.
Chills erupt, and I try to hold in a shiver. You would’ve thought he asked to get me off with the way my body is reacting. I look up at him through my eyelashes and give him a sultry smirk and nod.
With my hand in his, I let him lead me to the dance floor where a few other couples are dancing. The band begins a cover of a slow Chris Stapleton song, and I melt. Quinton pulls me against his body. Flush. No space between us. I can feel every inch of his hard, defined body. He places his hand on my lower back and starts moving us to the music.
“You doing okay?” he asks.
I nod my head. No other words are spoken between us. We just let our bodies move to the beat as I soak up his touch.
There’s something new brewing between us.
And I don’t think I mind it.
“Oh my god,” a girl shrieks.
I slowly turn to look for the voice.
“Taylor?” I ask, my mouth dropping open.
Taylor Shields was my best friend from fifth grade through high school. The two of us have grown apart since I left for Texas, but we’ll always hold special places in each other’s hearts. I take in the hottie in front of me. Taylor was never overweight, but she wasn’t skinny either. The dress she’s wearing hugs her curves. She looks healthy, happy, and hot. Her dirty-blonde brown hair is now shoulder length, a shiny brown with caramel highlights.
“Damn, girl, you look smokin'!”
She rushes me with a huge hug before pulling me back at arm's length, checking me out.
“I should say the same about you. But you’ve always been one sexy lady. Let’s grab a drink and catch up!” She wraps her arm through mine, pulling me toward the bar before I have a chance to respond. “Can you believe the turnout?”
“No, I can’t. It’s weird, Tay,” I say, looking around the crowd.
Pictures of Bryce and Asher line the wall behind the silent action. Taylor watches me take in the room.
“Is it hard being back?”
With a big sigh, I answer. “You have no idea. I miss them both every day, but being back here just brings all the pain to the surface.”
“At least you’ve got some sexy arm candy to keep you company,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows and gesturing toward Quinton who’s standing in the corner talking to a guy who looks like the high school football coach. “Damn, B, you have the best luck.”
“Oh stop it,” I say, rolling my eyes. The She-Devil is in front of us in line at the bar. She turns to look at me and Taylor.
“Well look who it is, Porky Brewster and the slut.”
“Aren’t we a little old for high school shit Madeline?” I ask, stepping in her face.
“Please, it’s not like you’ve changed,” Madeline scoffs. “Still hopping on any willing dick? How long is he going to stick around? We all know your luck with—”
“You bitch,” I cut her off, knowing damn well where she was about to go, stepping even closer, just as Tristan slides in between us.
