Page 160 of The Perfect Spiral
“Fuck, Alex! I’m not going to get any guys tonight thanks to you!” Zara cries. I roll my eyes at her as I tuck money into my clutch. Once we’re all ready, we snap a few photos and head downstairs.
The booming music from the kitchen signals that the boys have already started drinking. They’re rowdy. I tell the girls to go ahead while I adjust the strap on my heel.
As the girls enter the kitchen, the boys whistle and call out, “Well, it’s about damn time you decided to join us!”
I finish adjusting my strap, grab my clutch from the floor, and head for the door. I hear someone ask where I am. I step into the kitchen and announce, “Here,” raising my hand slightly.
The guys all stop talking and stare at me, their mouths hanging open. “Woah,” they say in unison. My three brothers, however, tell me to go change. I glare at them as their girlfriends slap them.
“You look hot as hell, Al!” Andy winks at me. I walk over to the table, ignoring the stares, and pour myself a drink.
“You guys are acting like you’ve never seen a girl before,” I tell them.
“Not as hot as you are right now, Alex... Ow!” James, Hannah’s brother, comments, looking me up and down in shock. I’m really uncomfortable right now. I hear him curse under his breath but ignore it.
The music gets louder and I take my drink, walking over to the girls at the counter. As I pass Andy, she smacks my butt, causing all the guys to turn and look at me. I glare at her.
I greet Ben with a kiss on the cheek. I see Tyson and Sam talking and try to listen, but I feel eyes on me. I look up to meet Wes’seyes. He takes a sip of his drink and smirks at me. I smile back and look away.
Then I see it. A bowl of food on the table, calling my name. Food, glorious food. Who cares what they say?
I dart around the counter, drawing attention. It looks like I’m running for James. He thinks so too, and puts his beer down on the table, readying himself for the side step I’m about to—oof—maybe not. I feel his lips on mine, kissing me.
He’s not a bad kisser at all. His hands grip my waist tighter, pulling me closer to him.
He pulls away and whispers “Finally” against my lips. I reach behind him, grab a handful of chips from the bowl, and pop one in my mouth.
“I was actually running for the food but... uh, thanks for the kiss,” I smile up at him.
“Ugh, are you kidding me!” James whines, and everyone starts to laugh at me, not him. “I thought you were running because you wanted me? You will kiss me later though!”
“No, she won’t,” I hear several voices behind me, but I don’t turn around to see who it was.
“Time to let her go,” the familiar voices behind me chime in. I close my eyes, savoring the crunch of the chips from the bowl, while he reluctantly releases his hold on my waist.
“Mmm, food,” I hear the girls giggling behind me. I turn, eyes still closed, and navigate towards the sound of their laughter before finally opening my eyes.
“You’ll kiss me later though, Alex! I know you will!” James calls out to my retreating figure.
I lift my free hand and wave dismissively over my shoulder. “Yeah, yeah!”
Some of us—well, I—down three shots of whiskey before we pile into the cabs we’ve ordered. Andy, Kyle, me, Hannah, Ben, and Knox squeeze into one cab, while the rest of our group is scattered among the others.
I find myself in the back seat next to Knox, who looks absolutely irresistible tonight. He’s wearing dark grey jeans, a white t-shirt, and black Vans.
We exchange furtive glances, and I can feel the effects of the drinks we had earlier. His hand rests on my thigh, dangerously close to that area, and I can feel a heat building within me.
This is why I don’t drink a lot—I get really horny. I sneak a glance at him, taking in his perfect jawline, his straight nose, the way the tan highlights his skin, and his piercing blue eyes focused on the window.
He turns to look at me, catching me in the act, and smirks. I need to keep my legs closed tonight, or so help me God.
I turn to Hannah, who’s holding a bottle of alcohol, and ask for a swig. She tosses it back to me and I take a gulp, all the while staring at Knox, who raises an eyebrow at me.
“No more, or you won’t get in,” he warns me. I cap the bottle, lean into him, and salute.
“Aye aye, Captain No-Fun,” I retort, earning a smile from him and a laugh from Hannah. He takes the bottle from me, takes a swig while maintaining eye contact, then hands it back to Hannah.
He leans in close and whispers, “That’s Captain Carter to you, baby doll.” He leans back in his seat, giving my thigh a quick squeeze.
