Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Ruby

I knew I shouldn't have come .

W e pull through a gate and my nerves dive straight down into the pit of my stomach. I had no idea Chase lived in a mansion. I knew he was rich, but this is like crazy rich.

"You ready?" Presley asks, shutting off her car. She doesn't even seem phased by the fact that we just pulled up to a place that's not much different from the Biltmore Estate. I shake my head. I thought I was nervous before, but this…this is totally out of my playing field.

"Come on. It's going to be great. And I promise I won't leave your side."

I climb out of her jeep and straighten my skirt. Presley dressed me in one of her outfits, and everything is tightly hugging my body. I was already self-conscious enough, but knowing that I'm about to walk into Chase's massive home is giving me the jitters.

Presley doesn't even knock when we get up to the door; she walks right inside. I've never been to a party before, so I don't know what standard etiquette is, but it feels wrong to be entering his home unannounced. That said, with all the music and people milling about, I doubt they would've heard the doorbell anyway.

My eyes scan the room and when I see people looking in my direction, my stomach gets tighter. People are looking at me like they don't even know who I am, as if they're seeing me for the first time. Maybe the fact that I didn't wear my glasses tonight is throwing them off. I was trying not to look like a dork so I put my contacts in, but now I don't have the safety of my lenses to protect me from peering eyes.

"Hi, Ruby!" Kyler's voice grabs my attention. I turn, trying to swallow down my nerves. "I'm glad you came tonight."

"Hi, Kyler." I wave like the dork I am. "Thank you for inviting me." I don't even know how to act or what to say. This is foreign territory.

"My pleasure, girl." He smiles. "And I have to say, you look really pretty." He turns toward Presley. "You both do."

I feel the heat hit my cheeks. No one has ever said I look pretty. I know Kyler's all in when it comes to Presley so it's nothing more than a kind compliment, but it makes me feel better about the outfit Presley dressed me in.

"Here, let me give you the tour." He takes Presley's hand and shows us around Chase's house. For them being just friends, they sure are acting like a couple. I follow behind, trying not to make eye contact with the other kids. I think almost every senior from our school is here, yet it doesn't feel packed.

We walk from room to room, and the shock keeps coming. There's an indoor basketball court and a ginormous gym, which I'm guessing is the reason Chase is able to stay in such incredible shape during the offseason. He's pure muscle. Broad shoulders. A tall, stocky stature, yet it's all sculpted strength.

We come to the next room, and I can't believe my eyes. It's like a fairy tale come true. He has his very own library with beautifully carved shelves stacked floor to ceiling with books. I've never seen so many in my life. There are more in here than in our public library. Wow. It's incredible.

"Hey, you guys!"

I turn at the sound of Chase's voice. He comes strutting up to us, looking better than he ever has before. He's wearing a fitted black shirt and jeans. It's such a simple outfit, yet he looks hot. His light brown hair has been styled back, and his smile is so handsome. When his eyes run down my body, it almost feels as if he's checking me out. The butterflies start going haywire in my stomach, and my fingers twist together nervously.

"Hey, man!" Kyler says. "I was just showing the girls around your place."

"Your house is amazing, Chase." Presley beams. "I don't ever think I've been in a house so big."

"Me neither." I shake my head, looking around the room. "This library is incredible. What are all these books?"

Chase shrugs. "I don't really know. My mom is the collector. Reading is her favorite pastime."

That's so awesome. I don't know why, but I'd pictured his mom to be a tennis player who spends her days at the country club. I never imagined she would devote her time to reading.

"It's mine too." I smile.

"Then maybe you can tell me what some of these books are?"

Wow. He's asking me to show him the books? I don't even know what to think.

"Can we go get something to drink while they're touring the library?" Presley turns to Kyler.

She's trying to leave me alone with him, which makes me nervous. But when I see the look on Chase's face, like he's happy they're leaving us alone together, my nerves settle.

"Sure thing. Ruby, do you want us to bring you anything?"

Kyler's voice is like a distant echo to all the thoughts swirling in my mind. To be noticed is one thing. To be looked at like I'm pretty feels unreal. And for the boy who I have a crush on to be looking at my mouth like he wants to kiss me, I feel like I'm having a dream. "I'm good." I finally get my answer out.

Their footsteps retreat from the room, and then it's just the two of us. Me and Chase. Me and the cutest boy at our school.

"So, you like to read?" His deep voice reminds me that I'm still staring at him. I quickly turn toward the books, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.

"Couldn't you tell?" I tease, running my fingers across the shelf, glancing over the titles. It's all I ever do. Read my books. Get lost in fictional worlds where anything can happen. I only like books with happy endings though. I want to believe that everyone finds love.

"Yeah. Don't think I've ever seen you without one in your hand."

His low chuckle has me smiling. He looks so handsome when he smiles. But he didn't do that much when he was with Cassie. He jokes around in class, is always laughing with his friends, but when he was with Cassie, his spirit looked a little dimmer.

"It brings me comfort," I tell him, turning back to the books again. I need to stop staring at him. It's going to creep him out.

"I'm really sorry for what happened at school today."

I shake my head, touching the smooth leather of an old copy of Pride and Prejudice . That's one of my favorites.

"Cassie's done stuff for years." I shrug, realizing he's still watching me. "I'm used to it." Every one of his mother's shelves is a different theme. She even has an entire shelf dedicated to books with Fabio on the cover.

"What do you mean she's done stuff for years?"

He's closer now. I can feel him at my back. A charge of heat penetrating through my shirt. My heart rate is kicking up faster. I glance over my shoulder, surprised by his question. "You dated the girl for a year, Chase. Are you saying you never once heard her call me names or see her trip me in the hall? Knock the books out of my hands and make me go chasing them on my knees? I'm surprised she didn't brag to you about all the pranks she pulled to get me into trouble. She's never liked me, Chase. But her attacks had stopped for a bit. I thought she was done with me, but I was wrong."

I look back at the shelves, running my eyes up. His mom is a collector of discreet covers too.

He comes around to stand in front of me, and my path is blocked.

"She's been doing this all throughout high school?" He looks shocked and sounds upset. I don't understand how he missed it all. How he never noticed his girlfriend lashing out.

"It's been going on since the first grade."

"First grade?" His blue eyes are almost black, like his pupils are a mood ring. When he's happy and laughing, they're as bright as a clear sky. When he's studying in class, they're almost gray like a storm cloud. Right now, they're like a dark ocean tide crashing in with intensity and eroding my nerves. "She's going to pay, Ruby. I promise she will pay for every mean thing she ever did to you."

It's sweet of him to want to stick up for me, but the damage is done. Everyone at school knows me as the saggy tits loser. No one's going to suddenly change their opinion. Chase and Kyler may have invited me to this party, but I know it was only by proxy of Presley. If she hadn't shown up, they never would've looked in my direction. I'd still be sitting in my lone corner, praying that Cassie would leave me alone.

I turn and cross the room, going to the other set of books. These all look like special editions. I pull one out to see the edges, wanting to know if they're sprayed. The fact that the woman who runs this huge house loves dark romance is seriously cool. It would be so fun to talk to her about these books.

"You know," he says, hovering at my side again, "Cassie always called me a dumb jock. It was why I got testy with you when you offered to help tutor me. I don't want people thinking I'm stupid."

I look up, shocked to see the insecurity that I hear in his voice.

"I don't think you're stupid, Chase. You're so funny and witty. You can make the whole class laugh. And your talent on the football field is beyond impressive. Just because you may struggle in some subjects doesn't mean you're dumb. Please don't take anything Cassie said to heart. She's really not a nice person."

It's shocking to hear that Cassie even ridiculed him. He and Kyler are the most popular guys in school. I guess mean just runs in her blood.

"I'll make you a deal, Ruby." He turns me to face him. "I won't let anything she said go to my head if you promise me it won't go to yours."

That's a nice thought. But twelve years of it being ingrained, and I think that ship has sailed. My head is full of Cassie's nasty comments, and it's hard not to believe them when they're beaten into you on the weekly. It's sweet of him to say though.

"I will do my best." I nod.

"No." He shakes his head, bracing my hips. A rush of excitement washes over me and the butterflies stir like crazy. "If she says anything to you again, you're going to tell me, Ruby. I'm not going to let her hurt you anymore."

I'm too nervous to even speak. Chase is touching me. Not only that, but he wants to protect me. And it feels like he's going to kiss me again. His eyes are staring at my mouth. I'm not sure if he's leaning down or if I'm the one moving closer.

When the sound of laughter draws near, he pulls away, putting space between us. I feel a hint of rejection, knowing he didn't want to be seen so close to me.

"Chase! Here you are. We've been looking for you." Mindy's voice has all those warm tingly feelings icing over. She's Cassie's best friend and has always been just as evil. "We want you to play spin the bottle with us. I want you to play with us," she corrects. I turn as she and a group of the cool kids have decided to burst the happy little bubble I was in. One look at me, and Mindy's smile turns into a snarl. But when she looks back at Chase, her cheeks are all smoothed out again. "Will you play with us?"

I go to leave, but Chase's voice stops me. "Don't go, Ruby."

"Yeah, don't leave. You should join us," Taya says, sounding as if she genuinely wants me there, but when I look over my shoulder, I don't feel any good intention behind her invitation.

"Oh, no thanks. You guys have fun." I shake my head.

"Come on. I dare you to," Mindy says.

All the more reason for me to leave, but when Chase steps up to me again, I can't get my feet to move.

"It will be fun, Ruby. Besides, if you land on someone you don't want to kiss, you just pass and answer a question. What do you say? You can't graduate without ever having played spin the bottle."

My gut is telling me to walk away, but he's right. This feels like another high school rite of passage, and I don't want to be a chicken. But it's not just that. The look Chase is giving me, it's like he really wants me to play, and that is why I stupidly agree.

"Okay." I nod.

They all take a seat in a circle. Chase pats the place next to him, urging me to sit, and Baylor sits down to my right. I'm squeezed in between two huge football players, and across from me is Mindy who gives me a look before she turns her smile on Chase again. "I'll go first since this was my idea."

She leans forward and spins the liquor bottle, and as if the girl somehow rigged the thing, it lands on Chase.

"I'll take a truth," Chase says as she starts to move toward him. He turns to me and gives me a wink. "See? If you don't want to kiss someone, you don't have to."

My entire body feels like it's caught a fever. He's being so nice. It's like he's truly watching out for me.

"Fine," Mindy says, not sounding too happy with his choice. But she's quick to put her smile back in place and ask her question. "Now that you and Cassie have broken up, who are you going to take to prom?"

"It's four months away. I haven't decided." He leans over to me, whispering by my ear, "And if you don't want to answer a question, you can give a blanket answer like that."

He shifts to the center and reaches for the bottle, watching as the thing spins round and round. I can't help but smile when I see the look on Mindy's face. He didn't give her the answer she was looking for either. The girl has had a crush on Chase since our freshman year. I overheard her talking to Taya about it, but then he started dating Cassie instead. I think she's hoping she'll have a shot with him now that her friend is out of the picture. But I'm hoping he keeps his distance from the mean girls. He deserves so much better.

The guys start laughing, and I look down to see the bottle has landed on Baylor. "Looks like I'm answering another question." Chase laughs, sitting back.

Baylor chuckles. "Always a chickenshit," he teases. "Okay. So, I want to know if we're going to your house in Costa Rica for our graduation trip?"

"Hell yeah!" Chase nods then looks to me. "Have you ever been to Costa Rica, Ruby?"

I shake my head. I've never been anywhere outside of the States. My family definitely doesn't have the kind of money Chase's family does. It's crazy to think that beyond this giant mansion they also have a place in Costa Rica. His family must be seriously loaded.

"You'll have to come with us. The beach is incredible there."

Did he really just invite me on their senior trip? He's probably just trying to be nice in front of everyone. I'm not going to get my hopes up. Come next week when life has gone back to normal, he'll forget all about me.

"My turn." Baylor takes his spin. His bottle lands right on Ryeson. I expect him to sit back next to me, but he shifts forward. "I'm not a fucking chicken. Let's get the game started and quit with all the talking."

I look toward Ryeson, and he doesn't look phased by his best friend's actions. The two of them have always been close. "Fine," Ryeson states. "But not on the mouth, fucker." He turns his head to the side, but Baylor grabs his cheeks and forces him back around, planting a kiss right on his lips. Everyone is laughing, as Baylor jokingly keeps Ryeson locked in place, pretending as though he's really trying to give him a kiss.

"Dare you to open up and let Baylor give you his tongue." Mindy giggles.

I'm just shocked that the joke is still going on. Ryeson's shoulders are completely tense, but he's not shoving his friend off.

"I double dare you," Taya, Baylor's girlfriend, adds, laughing hysterically. I'm surprised she's not irritated that he started a scene. The girls usually get so annoyed when the guys all goof around and act like big kids.

"Double dog dare you," Chase adds, chuckling just as hard as the rest of them. I'll admit, it is pretty funny if you think about it. The two most dominant jocks at our school, who are also the biggest guys in size and muscle, are locked at the lips. Ryeson is being tortured by his best friend's abuse, almost like they're waiting to see who backs down first.

Baylor turns his head, looking right at Chase, and glares. It's obvious he didn't realize his joke was going to go this far. "Fine." He turns back toward Ryeson. "Open up, big guy. We're going to show them we're not pussies."

Ryeson jerks away, shaking his head. "No fucking way, man. I don't have to prove dick to no one. It's my turn to spin." He gives Baylor the stare down and finally Baylor backs off, returning to his seat next to me. He's still laughing, and the girls are all booing. Apparently, they wanted to see the two jocks kiss. When Ryeson's bottle lands on me, the laughter stops. I swallow nervously, looking up at the guy, wondering if he's going to try to kiss me.

"I won't force Baylor's sloppy seconds on you, Ruby. Give me a question."

The air rushes out of me. I'm so relieved, but I'm not sure what to ask, so I go with Mindy's question. "Who are you taking to prom, Ryeson?"

"I'm most likely going stag." He shrugs.

That truly surprises me. For being as hot as he is, he could have a harem of girls. All the girls are crazy over him. But, unlike most of his football counterparts, he doesn't seem interested in just fucking girls for the fun of it. It makes me respect the guy.

"You could always take Weatherly," Mindy suggests. "She's not looking for a commitment."

"Your turn, Ruby." Ryeson ignores her comment and moves the bottle in front of me. I reach out, feeling my fingers shaking as I spin the thing. My stomach twists tighter with every spin as it goes round and round.

It finally stops and is pointed right at Chase. I stare at the thing, unsure of what to do. I should probably ask a question, but when I look up, that same look is back in his eyes. I watch as his tongue slips out, licking across his lower lip like he's getting ready for the kiss. His eyes are unwavering, like they're daring me forward.

"Come on, Ruby, don't chicken out," Baylor chides.

I swallow hard, wavering the line of my nerves.

"I dare you, too," Chase breathes.

My body ignites. His words make the final decision for me. I twist, sitting up on my knees, and move in slow. I've never kissed anyone before. I'm worried I'll do it wrong. But when I press my lips to his, all my worries fade. His hand grips the back of my head, and he takes control. Leading me. Guiding my every move.

His lips part mine as they start to move, and every inch of my body feels like it's being electrocuted as his tongue slides in, swiping against mine. He smoothly tangles me up into a web of excitement. I start to shift back, not wanting to overstay my welcome, but he pulls me in closer, his grip locking tighter like he doesn't want it to end.

Tingles run through my body. I thrust my tongue deeper as the force of my lust drives me forward. The grunt he makes has me doing it again…and again.

My body starts to grow heavy, and as if he senses it, he urges me onto his lap. I'm straddling his hips, my hands reaching out and running through his hair. My nails scrape across his scalp and he makes a sound like it feels good. It's getting so hot in here. There's a fire burning low in my gut. This unknown feeling is growing stronger by the second. When I feel his hand grabbing my backside, I'm jolted with a spark between my legs. Like a pressure is tightening in my core.

It's getting harder to breathe. My lungs feel like I'm running on the track. I loosen my lips, letting my tongue swipe at him while I draw in air. I'm lewdly licking him but he's not letting go. He's not pushing me away in disgust. He's gripping me tighter, opening his mouth wider, acting as if he needs more. His tongue coming out and waiting for me to play with it.

I dare to open my eyes. His are closed and his features are showing no repulsion. It's like he wants it, like he's turned on by me…and that makes me want more. I'm not sure what comes over me, but the need to tug his lip between my teeth has me scraping the smooth skin. I give his lower lip a nibble before I nip at the side of his mouth. His eyes snap open. His pupils are so dark and stormy. I dive back in for more, and he meets me with full force. A groan rumbling out of him. His grip on me tightens almost to the point of pain, but the sting in my hair feels so good.

I grab onto his shoulders, shifting to get comfortable. The ache between my legs is growing unbearable. When I feel his hardness between my legs, the pressure grows heavier. I feel like something big is about to happen. I shift again, wanting more of the feeling, and another zap of tingles hit. I do it again and again. Chasing it down faster and faster. His mouth is unrelenting. His hands urging me on, pushing and pulling me back and forth over his crotch. It's so close. Like there's something right out of reach. I grip his shoulders tighter, grinding harder to relieve the pressure and that's when it happens.

My body gets struck down with pleasure. This tidal wave of intense excitement washes over me. I pull my lips back slightly, my forehead pressed to his as I breathe through the rush. His hands have wrapped around me, holding me steady as I continue to rub over his lap with full speed, riding through every throbbing pulse. I've never felt anything like it in my life. It's so incredible.

"Oh my God! Did she just come? Holy shit. What a loser."

Mindy's shriek is followed by a burst of female laugher. My eyes fly open, completely horrified. I'd forgotten they were here. I got so wrapped up in the moment and wasn't thinking of anything other than what was happening. Oh my God. The panic sets in. The heat freezing right over. I think I'm going to be sick. Chase looks like he's still trying to process what just happened. I need to get out of here.

I quickly climb off his lap and rush out of the room, running straight to the front door, fighting to hold back my tears until I get outside. I should never have come tonight. I don't belong here. And I never will.