11. Leilani

While ordering myself a drink, I nearly bailed, but then Caroline skipped over with a happy little smile and I couldn’t do it to her.

She seems so pleased to have me here, and I don’t want to let her down.

So, I’m back at the table, nibbling on fries and—much to my annoyance—having to work overtime not to laugh or smile at Asher, who seems to be on a roll with his humor tonight. I guess I’ve seen hints of this side of him before, but usually it’s Casey who’s being the clown. Not tonight, though. If anything, he’s unusually quiet, giving Asher the floor. And Mr. Hot Lips (dammit, I want to taste them again!) seems determined to have everyone in stitches as he regales us with stories from his days at boarding school.

The one about the green army men being hidden around the school and discovered in the most random places for Asher’s entire junior year was one of my favorites, but the one I couldn’t keep a straight face for was his senior class prank, where they borrowed a thousand chickens from a local farmer (paid him a truckload of money for it) and set them loose in the school during morning assembly. The way he described the teachers running around trying to catch chickens was hilarious, and I had no choice but to start laughing along with everybody else.

Asher turns to spot my grin, and the look on his face can only be described as triumphant. He casts a look across the table at Mikayla, who is smiling from ear to ear. She shakes her head, then glances at me, blushing like she’s been busted.

What the hell is going on between those two?

I check Ethan’s face, but he doesn’t seem fazed by whatever silent conversation is happening between his girlfriend and Asher.

Shifting on my stool, I force my gaze away, deciding not to care about whatever secret little joke they have. Snatching another fry, I shove it in my mouth, then wash away the salty taste with the last of my root beer.

Ugh. Why’d I order a root beer? I basically only drink water but felt like I should get something after making a big deal to Asher that I can buy my own drink. Why didn’t I just smile and say, “A water, please”? It wouldn’t have cost him anything. But I just couldn’t converse nicely with him, could I?

Because I hate him.

Apparently.

Except I don’t, because he’s smart and funny and handsome and?—

Shit!

Swiveling my body away from him, I focus on Caroline’s conversation with Casey. They’re talking about the dog and someone at Hockey House called Baxter. The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I can’t picture the guy’s face.

“I’m telling you, babe. We could lose the dog to this guy.”

Caroline snorts. “Baxter’s adorable, and he’s not going to steal our dog. I’m grateful for his help. If he wasn’t with Fezz tonight, we’d have to be. It’s like having a built-in babysitter. It’s awesome.”

“True,” Casey concedes. “I just don’t want the little guy bonding with Bax when he should be bonding with us.”

“He’ll bond with us.” Caroline slides her arm around his shoulders, planting a kiss on his cheek. “It’s your bedroom he sleeps in, and you’re the one who got the nose licks this morning.”

Casey grins, kissing his girl while I try to wrap my head around the fact that Nolan U’s man-slut, Casey Pierce, is worried about his puppy bonding with someone else in the house. Caroline has seriously changed his life big-time. The guy was allergic to being attached to anything, and now he’s got himself a permanent girl and a fur baby.

All because of a failed condom.

It’s weird how one small thing can have such a massive impact on your life.

The remnants of my smile start to fade, and then my lips fully flatline when a tall blonde with straight white teeth approaches our table.

“Hi.” He smiles at me like I’m the only woman in this place.

I tense, knowing exactly what that look means. He wants a dance or my number or name or?—

“Nope.” I shake my head.

He gives me an odd frown before trying again. “I was just wondering if you wanted to?—”

“Nope.”

“I—”

“No. Move along.” I point behind him and wiggle my fingers. “Move along.”

The moron takes a good thirty seconds to figure out what the hell I’m saying, like rejecting him is the most bizarre thing in the world. He’s obviously not used to getting shot down.

Eventually, his smooth smile turns into a scowl, and he mutters something insulting under his breath as he stalks away from the table.

I straighten my spine, desperate to shake off the encounter. Desperate to hide how disgusting I feel right now.

Mikayla cracks up laughing, which kinda helps, and then goes in for a high five. “Nicely done, Ice Queen!”

I give her a droll look but can’t leave her hanging. Our hands slap together while Casey hisses. “You didn’t even give the guy a chance to finish his sentence.”

“Because she already knew what he was going to ask,” Caroline argues.

“And the fact that he got all shitty after he finally got the message proves that he was looking for a quick hookup and nothing more.” Mikayla gives me an impressed grin. “You read him well, lady. Good job.”

I don’t how to respond to that, so I just give her a weak smile. I can sense Asher’s gaze on me and can tell the other two guys—Riley and something starting with a C—are not impressed by my rude rejection.

Maybe they’ve been treated like that by girls before and it hurts them more than they’re willing to let on.

Shit.

I never would have been so rude to someone before, but?—

“I should go,” I murmur, reaching for my bag. “I’ve got to study and?—”

“No!” Caroline grabs my wrist. “You studied all weekend. Lani, come on. You deserve a break. Stay here and have fun with us.”

“In this dirty bar surrounded by sleazoids and creeps?” I can’t help the quip. My shoulders are tingling, and I just want to go home.

“They’re not all like that.” Caroline’s voice goes soft, her blue eyes getting all sad and worried again. She wants to know what’s happened to me. What’s changed me. Leaning close, she whispers in my ear, “You used to know how to let loose and have some fun.”

“Thanks,” I mutter.

“I’m serious. We’re out. Let’s go dance.” She leans back with an excited grin. “You love dancing. You love this song. I know you love this song!”

I do, but… “I don’t want to spend my night getting hit on.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Asher pipes up.

I flinch and look over my shoulder to see how serious he is. His gaze is deep and penetrating, and dammit, I believe him.

“Neither will I.” Ethan finishes his drink, then places it on the table with a definitive thump. “If you don’t want any guys going near you, we’ll make sure they stay away.”

“Even I won’t hit on you. I promise.” Asher winks. I give him an unconvinced glare and he laughs, raising both hands. “I swear.”

“Come on.” Caroline grabs my wrist, the look in her eyes downright pleading. “Dance with me. Dance with your bestie.”

I give in with a sigh, letting her drag me off the stool and onto the dance floor. The music is thumping, and my body can’t help but respond to it. I love getting lost in a beat, and as soon as the hockey guys form a circle around us, I start to relax and let myself get into it. Mikayla’s a great dancer, and I mirror her moves so we’re dancing in sync. Caroline joins in, throwing her head back and shouting along to the lyrics. I can’t help joining her. I really do love this song. In fact, the entire set has been awesome so far, and as soon as that song comes to an end, the band cranks into another great number.

It’s quickly obvious which of the guys can move and which of them wish they were anywhere else. But they’re playing bodyguard for me (and probably their girlfriends). It’s actually kinda sweet. Riley soon gives up his post and starts dancing with us. He’s got some moves… and so does Asher. He can’t help himself. Soon he’s right up there alongside me, moving his hips and grooving to the beat.

I get caught up in the moment, raising my arms and shifting my feet. I let the music take me and I’m swept away, forgetting about everything and just enjoying a moment of the old me. The girl who could spend a night on the dance floor, singing and acting silly with her friends.

The girl who let the music take her away.

The girl who didn’t mind a guy’s hand on her hip. Didn’t mind his body gliding in behind hers.

I shuffle closer to Asher without thinking, at first not even noticing his hand lightly brushing my side.

He’s just moving in time with me, smiling at Caroline as she flicks her hair around and laughs at something Casey just said to her. He wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close, resting his chin on her shoulder and saying something else against her ear. She’s grinning and gyrating against him.

I remember that feeling. A guy’s arm securing me against him, my back tucked into his torso. I used to love that feeling. I’d always look for it at parties. A little flirtation on the dance floor.

It was one of my favorite ways to spend a Friday night.

Until it became something different.

Until one guy ruined everything.

Asher’s hand skims my hip again, his body moving in behind mine. My booty wants to back right into him. We could find the rhythm together and sway to the beat…

But something in my brain just clicked.

It’s a sound I’ve been trying to avoid. But I can feel it. The lid of the box I’ve been desperate to keep shut just flew open, and my body is flooded with ugly reminders of that night.

The one that started out with a little flirtation on the dance floor and turned into something completely different.

My body jerks like I’ve just been electrocuted, panic sizzling my entire system as I stumble off the dance floor.

“You okay?” Asher reaches for my arm, no doubt trying to steady me.

I flick him off and barely manage to say, “I have to use the bathroom,” before careening away like I’m being chased by the devil.

Maybe I am.

Little demon memories flutter around me as I fight the sob in my throat and run for the safety of a lockable stall.