Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

I stare at my phone for the hundredth time in the last hour. He hasn't responded to any of my messages. I told myself at dinner I wouldn't text again. He obviously doesn't want to talk to me, but I still type out a message as I lean back in my chair, waiting for the lecture to start, Lally talking happily at my side.

Evan: Ah, so we are back to ignoring me now, huh?

This time, the message doesn't send, and I gape. "Lally," I interrupt.

"Huh?" She leans over as I thrust my phone at her.

"What does that mean?"

She scans the messages and winces. "Uh, doesn't that mean they blocked your number?"

"Seriously?" I mutter, staring at my phone. "What an asshole." Dropping it to my desk, I glare at the front of the room. I feel Lally watching me, but I ignore her, suddenly in a terrible mood. When she glances away, I snatch up my phone, and despite the fact I know they won't go through, I text him.

Evan: Seriously, you blocked me?

Evan: What the hell is your problem?

Evan: I know you're an asshole, but seriously?

Evan: I didn't ask you to drive me home last night or to pick me up this morning.

Evan: You could have just texted me and told me to leave you alone, said no. It's called communication, you fucking dick.

Evan: But no, you blocked me because you have the emotional intelligence of a sausage.

Evan: You want me to leave you alone? Fine, I will.

I quickly change his name to "Asshole—do not answer."

My mood sours with each undelivered notification, so I turn my phone off and shove it in my bag. I'm sick of this hot-and-cold treatment. He hit me, kissed me. He spent last night talking to me, letting me in, then he flirted with me all night and blocked me.

I don't understand him one fucking bit.

Have you ever met anyone you just know will break your heart, yet you can't seem to stop yourself from giving it to them, even knowing the outcome?

Alek Anders is that person. I know loving him would be foolish and only end in pain, but I can't seem to stop myself, and I hate that more.

It's like watching a car crash, which only makes me worry about his injuries and in turn pisses me off more.

For fuck's sake.

Club 37 is a mix between a dive bar and a neon club. It shouldn't work, but it does. Lots of art students come here, and the owner is an alumnus, which is great since he lets us in for free. A ton of others from the area come through, mostly older people since it's the hottest place in town, so it's crammed.

It doesn't take me long to get sweaty, the club music pounding through me, unwinding my tight muscles as we make our way through the crowd to the booth our friends grabbed. It's overflowing with people, and they cheer when they see us, thrusting drinks our way. I grab the shot and down it, then another as they continue cheering. Their faces blur. Usually, I'm the life of the party, but tonight, I just want to forget, so I let them ply me with liquor until I'm buzzed. I laugh and joke with them, surrounded by people who care about me and would never block me just because of their own issues.

"Let's dance!" I shout and grab Lally's and Tommy's hands. I tug them onto the dance floor filled with writhing bodies, the strobe lights turning it all into a flashing kaleidoscope. Lally spins before me, and Tommy pulls me against him as we dance and grind together. I forget about everything else and just move to the music. The liquor heats my blood, making me feel free, happy, and horny.

Lally is right. It has been too long since I've been laid. That's why I fell for Anders so quickly. It's just need, but I can take care of that tonight, and I know that when Lally looks at a hot blonde and dances over to her that I won't be the only one. I wink at Tommy as he goes for a drink, leaving me alone.

I feel eyes on me, and within minutes of my friends' disappearance, a guy appears before me. He's really fucking cute. He doesn't have that rough edge like Anders has, but he's muscular, taller than me, and has styled blond hair. He doesn't have any tattoos, but he does wear a silver chain around his neck and a matching bracelet on his wrist. He looks good, and he's the exact opposite of Anders.

Perfect.

"Can I dance with you?" he calls loudly, having to lean in, his mouth practically pressed against my ear.

"Sure," I respond, though I don't think he can hear me, so instead I let him pull me closer. His hands grip my hips as I grin at him. He grins back as we move together to the music. His hand slowly slides down and around until he grips my ass and grinds into me. I see hunger in his eyes as they drop to my lips before he leans in.

"Are you here alone?" he asks.

"Just with some friends, you?" I reply, moving closer until I'm pressed against him so he can hear me.

"Just my friends," he says, kissing my pulse point. "How about after this dance, I buy you a drink?"

I purposely brush my lips over his ear, feeling him shiver. "Sounds great."

A hot guy flirting with me? Yeah, it's exactly what I need, and one dance turns into two until we are both hot and heavy, our lustful eyes locked on one another. I signal Lally so she knows I'm safe, and she nods, then we head to the bar. I plop into a little table tucked into the corner as he goes to order, and when he comes back, I can't help but grin.

He really is hot.

He hands it over and sits right next to me, his leg pressed to mine. His hand drops to my thigh and squeezes as he leans in. "So what's your name?"

"Evan. Yours?" I reply, sipping the fruity drink.

"Tait," he answers. "Are you single, Evan?"

"Very." I nod as I lean closer, getting a good whiff of expensive cologne. "But you really don't want to ask that and make small talk, do you?" I flirt, my fingers trailing up and down his chest as he glances from my eyes to my lips. "Why don't you ask what you really want to ask?"

"Do you want to get out of here?" he blurts.

Smirking, I lean back and down my drink before I stand and offer him my hand.

Fuck Anders. Tonight, I won't think about him at all.