Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95545 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95545 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Beck shrugs as guilt flickers across his expression before his gaze skitters away.
Why did I even bother to ask? Of course, he’s going.
“You could always crash the party,” he says with a chuckle.
I snort out a laugh.
Can you even imagine?
“Somehow, I don’t think that would go over well.” The only thing my presence would accomplish is to piss Alyssa off even more than she already is. Just like football, I need a little time to figure out the best course of action.
“Have you considered giving her a gift she really wants?” When I raise a brow in question, Beck smirks. “Like your balls on a silver platter?”
I grab my sweaty practice jersey and throw it at Beck’s face. He bats it away before it can make contact.
“You’re a dick,” I laugh, my muscles loosening.
He grins, and the thick tension holding me captive finally dissipates. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Chapter Seventeen
Alyssa
“Welcome home, bitch,” Mia shouts, attempting to be heard over the pulsing beat of techno as we clink our shots of Fireball and toss them back. The smooth liquor slides down my throat, warming me from the inside out.
“Holy shit, that’s terrible!” my bestie sputters, coughing as tears gather in her dark eyes. “No more shots. I’m tapping out.”
Undeterred by the declaration, I laugh and order another round. I’m nowhere near done. Everywhere I look, there are friends who have shown up to help celebrate my return to Wesley. I’ll admit that while packing up my bags and preparing to leave London, part of me was tempted to extend my student visa for another year, but in the end, I decided the best course of action was to come home, finish out my degree, and graduate on time. Maybe, if I still feel the same way in the spring, I’ll return.
And then there’s Jack. Even though I’d taken everything at a glacial pace where he was concerned, it had only begun to heat up between us. I’m not sure what will happen with that situation. Probably nothing. We’re an ocean apart. It’s difficult enough to maintain a relationship when I’m on the same continent with a guy, let alone a six-hour international flight away.
I glance at my best friend, the girl who planned this amazing night, and realize that coming home was the right decision. Even though I met some amazing new people—ones I hope will be in my life forever—I’d missed my bestie something fierce. We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. There’s a history between us that can’t be denied or erased. I was there when her sister died and the subsequent challenges her family faced. She was the shoulder I leaned on when I broke my ankle freshman year of high school and questioned if dancing would ever be the same.
We have one last year together before we head in different directions. I’m both excited and scared by the prospect. Above all, I’m glad Mia is by my side. I have no idea what I would do without her. Luckily, I’ll never have to find out.
My gaze runs over the length of her. She looks smoking hot in a black dress that hugs every single curve. Unlike me, the girl has an hourglass figure. And tonight is all about showcasing it.
The drinks have already gone to my head, and I’m in my element. When the music changes and the bass starts to thump, reverberating off the walls, I squeal and grab Mia’s hand, dragging her to the dance floor. “I freaking love this song!”
This night is all about having fun. I want to let go and enjoy the drinks, music, and good friends who have come out to celebrate my return. I shove my way through the press of writhing bodies before carving out a tiny space for us. My hands go in the air as I lose myself in the beat. It’s not difficult. The DJ has some serious skills. Each song bleeds into the next as we shake our asses, singing along with the lyrics. Mia grabs my hand and twirls me around. A smile stretches across my face as I laugh, enjoying myself like I haven’t in a long time. Friends come and go as the music plays on. I have no idea how long we stay out on the dance floor. The only way I realize time has passed is by how parched my mouth becomes.
I close the distance between us and shout, “I need to use the bathroom.”
Her cheeks are pink from all our exertion, but I can tell she’s having a blast. Sometimes Mia has a difficult time cutting loose. She wants to be the perfect kid and student, forever walking the straight and narrow. It’s good for her to let go and have fun. If anyone needs it, it’s her.