“It’s no one. Really.” Which was only a partial lie, because even though I wanted Colby to notice that I looked good, nothing would come of it. Which was a good thing, now that we’d finally managed to get back to being just friends. It wasn’t exactly the place I wanted to be, but I’d take it over the messy place we’d been post-hookup.
She laughed. “Okay, by the end of the night, I’ll make my guess. If I’m right, you tell me. If I’m wrong, you can keep up the ‘no one’ story.” She grinned and I caved.
“Fine. Take a guess. But you won’t be right because there’s no one.”
“If you say so.” Her smiled widened. “This will be fun.”
“Oh my god.” I laughed. “There’s no one! Really.”
“Hey, I’m the DD. Let me have fun where I can find it.”
“That’s true. Okay, tell me what you see. This could be fun for me too. You’ll be so off base, it could get interesting.”
We pulled in front of Colby’s house and parked behind another car along the curb, since his driveway was full. From the looks of it, most of the guys had decided to stop by tonight. Which was probably a good thing. It’d keep Taylor guessing. Last thing I needed was her realizing how hopeless I was over Colby. I trusted her to not blab it all around if she did figure it out, but what if she slipped or told Matt? Or worse yet, what if she asked one too many questions, and stumbled upon the knowledge that Colby and I had slept together? The last thing I needed were rumors followed by interrogations. Everyone knew I wasn’t a good liar. The truth would be out in no time.
“And don’t worry.” She smiled as she opened the driver door. “This is between you and me.”
It was as if she’d read my mind. Though I still wasn’t sure that she wouldn’t confide in Matt, I appreciated her offering to keep it secret. “Thanks, but really, nothing’s going on.”
“If you say so; guess we’ll see tonight.”
I shook my head and laughed as we made our way to the porch. When it came to a party, no one knocked, so I swung open the front door just in time to see some sort of beer drinking competition in full swing.
Five guys, including Landon and Colby, were gathered around the table as they each chugged a beer. Landon slammed his empty can down then pumped his fist in victory. He was followed closely by Colby and Matt, then the other two.
“I think you cheated.” Colby wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Got an early start or something.”
“Want to go again?” Landon offered with a smug smile.
“Nah. Once is enough for me.” Then as if sensing someone had entered the room, he glanced over his shoulder and locked his eyes on me.
His gaze drifted down, then back up, and he smiled. Except it wasn’t his normal smile. It was this ridiculously sexy half smirk that suggested Colby had been drinking for quite a while. “Hey.”
I tried not to laugh as I responded. “Hey there. Having fun?”
“Not really.” He turned around, fully facing me, and his smile widened. “I lost.”
“Because I kicked his ass,” Landon shouted.
A quick glance at him confirmed he’d also done more than his fair share of drinking.
“Well, you guys got started early,” I said, biting back a smile. “Um, save anything for me?”
“Of course.” Colby was still giving me a slightly dopey but super adorable grin. “I’ve got whatever you want.”
“Wait, wait, wait. I got this.” Landon turned to the kitchen. “Let the professional handle it.”
Colby slowly turned to Landon, his smile fading as he tracked his brother’s movements. Apparently the world was in slow motion for him. I stifled a laugh. A drunk Colby was pretty hilarious when I was sober.
“Whatcha’ girls feel like drinking?” Landon called back as he stared into the fridge.
“I’m fine with a beer,” I answered.
“Beer? That’s not exciting. I was all ready to whip you up something.” He shifted his gaze to Taylor. “What about you?”
“I’m driving.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”
Landon looked a bit heartbroken.
My laugh finally broke free. “Okay, make me a drink. Anything you want. Surprise me!”
He expression brightened and he pointed at me. “You will love this.” Then he spun around and got to work.
Still smiling, I shook my head. That boy was all sorts of crazy tonight.
While he was busy showing off his bartending skills, Taylor and I said hi to the rest of the guys, including her brother, Brandon, who hadn’t been around much lately. Hopefully it didn’t cause any awkwardness tonight, but he seemed to be genuinely okay with his friend dating his younger sister.