Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
7.
Charli
As soon as we arrived at Aidan’s house, which was even bigger and fancier than my cousins’, I thought to myself, Shit, maybe Derek was right.
The place was packed with teenagers. I was pretty sure I even spotted a few people in their early twenties, college-looking types. Alcohol was everywhere. I’d had a glass of wine or two on special occasions, plus a few drinks with Gwyn and Lydia at graduation, but nothing like this.
I wore jeans and a low cut, dark purple top. My hair was down and styled in loose waves thanks to Nuala. I thought I looked good, but I had nothing on some of the girls here. I mean, wow. Nuala fit right in with her long, pale hair and light blue summer dress. We stood close together near the door, taking it all in.
“Have you been to one of these parties before?”
Nuala shook her head. “Aidan only throws them once a year on his birthday. This is the first time I’ve been old enough to attend.”
“I’m not sure if either of us is old enough for this,” I said, and she giggled.
“Oh, please tell me you’re not starting to side with Derek.”
I grinned even though I was leaning more towards his end of the argument now that we were here. I’d never admit it. “No way. Let’s go find the others.”
Nuala linked her arm with mine, and we started to make our way through the house. We’d just reached the kitchen, which was huge, with the highest ceilings I’d ever seen in a residential property. Again, it was full of strangers, but then a familiar face appeared.
“Theo,” Nuala exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a hug. He seemed a little taken off guard by it, a hint of colour rising in his cheeks as he patted her forearm.
Did Theo like Nuala? The hug didn’t last very long, and when Nuala pulled back, I could tell that she had no clue of Theo’s possible feelings.
“Uh, hey, we were wondering when you two were going to show up,” he said, clearing his throat.
“Let me guess, Derek sent you to search for us.”
Theo rubbed the back of his neck. “He might have.”
Nuala rolled her eyes. “Of course. Well, you’ve found us, and we’re all in one piece, so you can report back.”
“Here, let me get you both a drink,” Theo said, ignoring her comment about reporting back as he motioned us farther into the kitchen.
“Are there any Bacardi Breezers?” Nuala asked. “The orange ones are my favourite.”
“I thought we weren’t drinking,” I said, nudging her elbow.
Nuala grinned impishly. “One won’t hurt.”
“What’s your poison, Moretti?” Theo asked.
“Well, I guess if we’re each having one, I’ll take a Bacardi Breezer, too.”
“Coming right up.”
He left us for a moment before returning with two ice cold bottles. We watched as he expertly popped off the lids before sliding them across the counter to us.
Once we had our drinks, Theo again motioned for us to follow him. We ended up in a TV room where Derek, Tristan, Aidan, and Rhys were hanging out. There were some girls, too, most of them fawning over Aidan though Derek and Tristan were also garnering their share of attention. I didn’t see a single girl who wasn’t completely stunning, and it made me feel a little out of place as I tugged self-consciously at my top.
Okay, no, I refused to let feelings of inferiority take over. I wasn’t that girl.
Spotting Rhys sitting on a large armchair, I was struck by how separate he seemed. It was like he wasn’t even there with the rest of them, and it made my heart squeeze a little. His head was bent slightly, gaze staring off into space like his thoughts were elsewhere. With his dark hair and stunning blue eyes, I found it hard to look away. He wore an open work shirt with a black T-shirt underneath, blue jeans, and boots, nursing a beer. My pulse kicked up a notch, and I didn’t understand how none of the girls were flirting with him.
Clearly, they had no taste, but that was just my opinion.
Shaking myself out of my fawning reverie, I made a beeline for him.
“Hey, scoot over,” I said, motioning to the armchair. Rhys’ focus slowly travelled up my body, his eyes lingering for a moment on my cleavage. A faint shiver went through me before he silently made some space for me. I sat and then realised my error because there was barely enough room for both of us. Our thighs were flush. My bare arm rested against the soft fabric of his shirt. I could also smell him, and I really liked how he smelled. Rhys’ scent was all clean boy, soap, and a hint of spicy cologne. I was struck with the sudden urge to bury my face in his neck and inhale.