Page 52 of Comeback
Someone bumps me from behind and I step forward into Sabrina. One hand presses into the wall above her and the other holding my beer, rests against her hip. I stare down into her brown eyes. They’re lined in black tonight. She’s always sexy but all done up like this, like she was hoping someone would notice and appreciate the extra effort, has me wanting to be that guy.
“Want me to take you back to Slade?” I barely recognize my own voice. It rumbles deep in my chest. My thumb lifts from around the can of beer and swipes gently across the bare skin just above her hip. The contact should remind me who she is and why this is a terrible idea, but all it does is make me want more.
Her pupils widen and I feel the chill that wracks her body. She shakes her head so small I almost miss the movement. Her long lashes flutter as her gaze drops to my mouth.
I’d blame it on the atmosphere and Slade’s mention of his bed if I hadn’t already been thinking how much I’d like to kiss her basically since the first time I saw her.
I wanted to hate-kiss her at first, sure, but I still wanted to kiss her.
I’m still staring at her slightly parted lips when Sabrina squeezes my forearm. The small contact sends a jolt of lust down my spine. Fuck. Is she thinking the same thing I am?
She does it again, this time a little harder, and her lips move. It takes a second for me to realize she’s trying to tell me something. She tips her chin up and looks over my shoulder. I spin around. I’m usually better at knowing my surroundings, but to be honest, I forgot where the hell we even are.
Graham stands in front of me. His usual arrogant smirk on his lips.
“Sorry, Holland. I was yelling, but I guess you couldn’t hear me.” He waves a hand around his left ear while staring at mine. I resist the urge to flinch under his scrutiny or give him some asshole comeback, though plenty are on the tip of my tongue.
“What’s up?” I ask. Sabrina has come to stand next to me and Graham isn’t shy about sliding his attention to her.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” he says to her and holds a hand out. “Walker Graham.”
“Sabrina,” she says. The reluctance she shows before placing her hand in his makes me smile, though she does eventually.
“The infamous sister. I’ve heard a lot about you, but the guys failed to mention just how gorgeous you are.”
I scoff. No one failed to mention it. In fact, most of the team has very much enjoyed giving Brogan shit over how hot his sister is.
Sabrina’s smile is brittle as she pulls away from him.
I drop my hand to her waist to guide her away from this douchebag, but he sidesteps at the same time I do.
“Do you guys want to play a game? We were just rounding up a few more people for Truth or Drink.”
“Seriously?” Sabrina asks like she expected a bunch of professional athletes to be above dumb drinking games.
The only thing that’s changed about the parties as I’ve gotten older are the houses. From basements and garages in high school to frat houses in college and now mansions.
“We were just about to head outside.” My fingers still linger against her soft skin.
“So were we. A little night air, a little booze, a little dirt-sharing among friends.”
As if he’s my friend.
“Aww, come on, Holland. It’ll be fun. Unless you’re afraid of looking bad.” His head tilts to one side. “I gotta be honest, you’re the last guy I’d expect to punk out on a friendly drinking game. Maybe you have more freaky skeletons in your closet than I thought.”
Graham never outright insults me, but the hits land just shy of being downright pathetic.
I hold my hand out indicating he should lead the way. “Fine. Let’s play.”
15
SABRINA
This party is wild. Couples are making out in the hot tub, women are topless in the pool, and the booze and weed are floating around freely.
Everyone is having a great time. Everyone except Archer.
We settle into chairs on the rooftop patio. Walker Graham is an asshole, of that I’m certain. Archer hasn’t always been nice to me, but I find myself very defensive of him as Walker raises his voice and leans forward when he asks, “Can you hear me okay or is the noise too much?”
