Page 88 of Burnout
He doesn’t reply, just smiles back at me.
“You aren’t in pajamas,” I say in case he didn’t realize his mistake. Of course, he realizes. I’m definitely drunk.
“Some guy tried to stop him at the door until Knox glared at him,” Colter says, aiming a smirk at his friend.
“I was hoping I wasn’t going to be here long.” He glances around.
“You don’t have to stay.” I spin back around too quickly and catch my balance by gripping the table. Tristan is watching the whole interaction, gaze pinging between me and Knox. He’s holding the ball, waiting for me.
“Ready?” I ask him.
“Waiting on you, Ollie.” His jaw tightens as he lets his gaze slide over to where I assume Knox is still standing.
It’s hard to say why I’m disappointed Knox didn’t strip down like Colter did. Or maybe it hurts that he thinks the whole idea of the party is dumb. I mean, he came when I know he didn’t want to. He came to see me. Or because he wanted to hook up. But that’s what we do. We hook up and work out together. We don’t do themed parties and couple-y shit.
Tristan eventually tosses the ball. It hits the edge of a cup and bounces. I react too slowly, but a hand reaches in front of mine and catches it.
Knox steps up to the table, shirt removed and pants unbuttoned. He holds the ball in one hand and takes off his jeans and shoes with the other.
I bite my lip to keep my smile small as he removes everything except his black boxers. He glances over and cocks one brow like he’s daring me to comment. I say nothing, but my chest tightens.
Knox takes Quinn’s place, but my awesome beer pong skills are seriously hindered by the half-naked guy next to me and my aim goes to crap.
With a clenched jaw, Tristan fires another and sinks into a cup. I drink it then toss it back and miss again.
Knox catches me staring at him when I should be paying attention. He steps closer to me, his arm pressing against mine and his fingers brushing my thigh. “See something you like, princess?”
“I see lots of things I like.” I move my attention away from him like I’m checking out all the guys at the party. “If you’ve seen one half-naked guy, you’ve seen them all.”
“Liar.” He pulls me in front of him so my back is to his chest, and wraps his arms around me.
Tristan sinks the ball in our last cup and Knox doesn’t let me go as he removes the ball and downs the drink. He places it back on the table and then lets his nose drag down the side of my face. “Another game?”
“No thanks.” Tristan’s gaze flicks to me. His mouth is pulled tight. I don’t even think he likes me that much. He just hates losing.
When he’s gone, I turn in Knox’s arms to look at him. My stomach flips and my pulse kicks up. What was I thinking? There’s really nothing I want more than to jump Knox right now. He came here just for me. Maybe that means something. Maybewecould be something. “Pajama parties are really more fun with a bed, don’t you think?”
His lips twist into a smirk. “Couldn’t agree more.”
Knox slips his shoes back on and carries the rest of his clothes as he leads me out of the party. Colter and Quinn decide to stay a bit longer, although the way they’re making out on the dance floor before we’ve even made it up the stairs, I don’t think they’ll be too far behind us.
“Uber can be here in five,” he says, glancing down at his phone. “I knew I should have driven instead of riding with Colter.”
“My Bronco is here.” I point in the direction of it parked in sight along the street.
He takes a step with me toward it and then pauses. “I don’t think I can drive that thing.”
“Why not?”
“It’s pink.”
“So?” I laugh.
He cocks his head to the side.
“Do you really want to wait five more minutes when my vehicle is right there?” I ask, hands on my hips.
He considers it, which makes me laugh.
