Page 61 of A Little Jaded
The girl can’t even say Drake’s name, or she refuses to give him the respect of one. Like he’s a mindless drone she’d rather forget. It’s not like she even needs to say his name. I know exactly who she’s talking about. He might not have reached out since our phone conversation, but I’m not stupid enough to believe he’s let her go. Why would he? She’s the best thing he’ll ever have.
Poor bastard.
I shake the thought off, remembering Raine’s question. Do I think Drake will show up tonight? It’s a good question. Part of me wants to ask why we’re hurrying to poke the bear, but this isn’t my game. My plan. Nah, I’m only a pawn. In a way, so is she.
Rolling my shoulders, I answer, “We’re on our grounds, so I’m not sure if he’ll show, but Reeves promised he told everyone he could think of about tonight, so Drake definitely knows about it. Whether or not he makes an appearance is a toss-up.”
Sucking her plump red lips between her teeth, she nods quickly as if mentally psyching herself up for whatever tonight will bring.
I’ve been trying to do the same thing since she told me she wanted to lure him out of hiding instead of lying low like I’d hoped. Nah, that’s a lie. Lying low with Raine as a roommate is the last thing I need. Not when she’s too jaded towant anything real, and I’m too stubborn to cross into relationship territory when I already have enough on my plate. She’s making it difficult, though. Besides, as far as I’m concerned, she isn’t even available. Not really. Not after the shitstorm her ex put her through. Isstillputting her through. Or at least, I thought so until I picked her up from Etch ‘N’ Ink the other night. I could’ve sworn she was begging me to kiss her. If she was anyone else, I would have. Or if things weren’t so complicated.
Yeah. I gotta get this over with.
“It’ll be fine,” I promise, though I’m not sure who I’m trying to reassure. “We have freshmen posted at all the entrances. They’ll text if he arrives, so we’ll have a heads-up. Also, Fin volunteered as the whistleblower if it comes to it.”
Her eyes widen, and she opens her mouth, but I cut her off. “I know. No cops. Don’t worry. It’s only a precaution for a worst-case scenario. What I’m trying to say is we have a game plan. You’ll be safe. Promise.”
“Whatever you say.” She pastes on a fake smile and reaches for the door, but I stop her.
“Listen,” I start.
The sight of her forest-green eyes nearly knocks me on my ass as she peeks over her shoulder. “Yes?”
“You’ve never been to one of these parties,” I remind her.
“I went to the last?—”
“You haven’t participated in any of the games,” I clarify.
She frowns. “So?”
“So, I don’t know what game Cameron chose tonight, but I do know they can be…physical.”
Her brows crease. “Okay?”
“Do you have any boundaries?”
“What?”
“Boundaries,” I repeat. “Do you have any?”
“Boundaries for what?”
The girl’s seriously going to make me say it? I nearly grind my molars but find an ounce of control and explain. “I know this isn’t real, but we’re supposed topretendit’s real. I need to know your boundaries before we walk in there.”
Her lips lift when she lets go of the door handle and turns in the passenger seat to give me her full attention. “Are you asking if it’s okay to touch me?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay?” Her smile widens. “Yes, it’s all right if you touch me.”
“With my hands?”
“What else would you touch me with?” she counters.
I bite back my own smirk. Oh, the things I could say if the circumstances were different. Instead, I push, “Can I kiss you?”
She hesitates, her gaze narrowing. “For show?”