Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Fuck, I hate his little frat boys. Such NPCs,” Taylor says.
“Let’s go say hi.” Brenner tries to go, but I grab his arm to stop him.
“Let’s not and say we did.”
“Aw, come on, Atlas. I really want to bone Troy.”
I roll my eyes. “You say that like it’s a given.”
“You don’t like dudes, so you might not realize how hot I am. I’ll ask, and while I rarely hear no, if that’s what someone says, I always respect that, and I will if Troy says no too.”
I stop him again, knowing it’s ridiculous, knowing there’s nothing wrong with Brenner flirting with Troy…in theory.
“Lay off him, B. I’m not fucking around,” is what comes out. Both my friends frown like they didn’t see that coming because yeah, it shouldn’t have come, just like Troy and I shouldn’t have come together last night, but clearly all those things are happening. “Just…not him,” I add, silently pleading for him not to push the issue. I already have to worry about Ash. I don’t want to worry about Brenner too, though technically either of them would be better for Troy than I am.
“Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
I let out a sigh of relief that I don’t have to explain myself. I’d probably do it too if that was the only way to keep him from hitting on T. Brenner and Taylor know when I’m serious, though, and our friendship is thick enough that neither would do something to upset me, just like I wouldn’t with them.
We grab another round of drinks and down those too, pop music thumping through the building. Strobe lights flash, making shadows dance against the walls. Crave is packed tonight, despite it still being pretty early. It will only get worse as the night progresses.
“Hey,” I hear close to my ear in a soft, feminine voice. I turn around to see…Lindy? I’ve seen her around campus and at a lot of parties.
“Hey.” Lindy is hot, there’s no denying it. She’s thick and curvy with plump lips and a nice smile. As hot as she is, if she’s looking to hook up, I’m totally not feeling it. It’s not her fault; it’s Troy’s. Even if I hadn’t told him no one else could touch me either, I still can’t think of anyone but him.
“I’ve seen you around a lot, right? You’re Atlas.”
I nod, hoping I won’t have to admit I don’t know her name for sure.
“I’m Lindy.”
“Nice to meet you.”
I’m racking my brain for a way to respond, to make sure she knows I’m not interested so she doesn’t waste too much time on me, when she says, “You want to dance?”
Fuck. “I can’t. I’m hangin’ with my boys tonight.”
There’s a shove in the middle of my back. “I’ll dance!” Taylor tells her.
I’d just said I was hanging with my boys, but Lindy either doesn’t catch on or doesn’t care.
“Okay.” She shrugs, and the two of them disappear together.
When we’re alone—well, as alone was we can be in a full bar—Brenner says, “What’s going on with you, man? You’ve been weird lately.”
Yeah, I have, even before last night happened. I just…fuck, I don’t know. I’m just tired of shit, of everything. Except being with Troy.
My eyes dart across the room, but he’s gone. I have no fucking clue where he went, with whom, or how long he’s been gone. None of his friends are there.
“Nothing. I’m good.”
“One of these days you’re gonna have to trust someone.” Brenner squeezes my shoulder in support, but I’m not sure I’ll ever have it in me to trust people.
“I trust you and Taylor as much as I’m capable,” I admit.
“I know.”
My eyes keep searching for Troy in the busy bar. When a girl approaches Brenner, he looks at me like he’s not sure about leaving me alone.
“I mean…if you’re both interested…?” she asks.
“I’m good. I have plans tonight.”
Brenner cocks a brow, but again, doesn’t call me on it. He disappears with her, and I flag down a bartender and order a vodka and Sprite, something I can nurse while I look for Troy because if I’m doing anything tonight, it’s him.
Drink in hand, I make my way through the crowd. I’m toward the back when I spot him, dancing, hips moving, ass shaking, and yep, totally making my dick hard.
Leaning against the wall, I pull out my phone.
Me: You look hot tonight. And no, it’s not a bad thing for you to be missing me. You should be.
I hit Send. I’m not a very patient man, but luckily, he doesn’t keep me waiting long. He must have felt the phone vibrate and pulls it out of his pocket while dancing. I’m in a dark corner, so when he looks for me, ear-to-ear smile plastered on his face, he can’t find me.
Me: You’re getting warmer…
He turns around, again and again, his hair sweaty from exertion, then begins typing.