Forever (Friends #3)(13)

Amanda. Dancing with a bunch of girls I didn't recognize, wearing a tight dress that revealed every curve and showcased her long, sexy legs. Her hair down, dark and wavy around her face and tempting me to plunge my hands in it. Wrap those silky strands around my fist so I could drag her back into the nearest bedroom and have my way with her. 

Yeah. I'm thinking like a caveman. This is what she does to me.

I was heading toward Amanda when another girl came out of the kitchen with red Solo cups in each hand. She offered one to Amanda and I intercepted it just before she takes a drink.

From the glassy look in her eyes, I'd guess she's already had plenty of alcohol to drink.

God, she's beautiful. And this is torture. Coming here. Seeking her out. Her dark eyes go wide when they meet mine and I can hardly move. Neither can she. She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, a look I've seen her give me time and again, and I want to be the one who bites her lip. Taste her skin. Kiss her mouth.

"Tuttle!"

I turn away from Amanda to find Ryan is standing in front of me, a drunken smile plastered on his stupid face.

"What's up dude?" he asks with a laugh.

I acknowledge him with a lackluster one-finger salute, keeping my mouth shut. I don't want to deal with this guy. I need to talk to Amanda.

But when I turn back around, she's gone.

Gone.

Shoving past a questioning Ryan, I go on pure instinct, pushing through the crowd in the living room, ignoring everyone, my only focus on finding her.

The house is small. She couldn't have gone too far. I need to find her. I have to talk to her.

I have to.





He's chasing after me. I can feel him getting closer, and I try to push past the crowds of people filling Cannon's house to gain some distance, but it's no use. His fingers eventually close around my upper arm, halting my progress, and I whirl on him, jerking against his ever-strengthening hold.

"Let me go!" I'm yelling to be heard above the music, and I don't care if people are watching. Listening. I want to cause a scene. Maybe it'll actually force him to react. He's so cold all the time. So distant.

Even when he tries to talk to me, when he's almost desperate to make himself heard, he doesn't make much sense. He talks in circles. Claims he can't do the things that should come easy to him. How hard can it be, to love someone? What barriers are in his way?

"I want to talk to you," he starts, but I shake my head, cutting him off. I've heard this all before. We won't get anywhere.

I'm over it.

Maybe someday I'll be over him too.

"I don't want to listen to you. I'm done listening to you." My skin is tingling where he touches me, and I'm so annoyed by my body's reaction, I tug even harder, trying to get out of his grip. "Let me go, Tuttle."

The anger on his face is obvious. He hates it when I call him Tuttle. Well, too damn bad. "You're being unreasonable."

"You're being unreasonable," I throw back at him like a child ready to launch into a major temper tantrum. "You want to start fighting in front of everyone? Because I'm up for it. I can yell and scream and kick and tell them you're holding me against my will."

His expression turns dark. Thunderous. "You wouldn't do that."

"Try me," I say smugly.

The music is still playing but people have stopped dancing, talking, laughing. They're watching us with wide eyes, some of them holding up their phones. Recording the argument? Maybe they're snapping a few photos to throw up on social media? For once, I really don't care.

"You're being unreasonable." His tone softens and I tell myself not to let my resolve do the same. "Just hear me out, Mandy. Please."

I hate it when he calls me Mandy. And I really hate it when he says please because he so rarely does. Hearing him say that word makes me want to give in and let him talk to me. Let myself believe in what he wants to say.




 

 

Murmurs start and the crowd slowly parts, a fuming Cannon emerging from its depths. His face is red and his eyes are narrowed as he strides toward the two of us. I sneak a quick glance at Tuttle, but his face is a mask. He almost looks …

Bored. By the entire situation.

I'm tempted to stomp on his foot just to make him react.

"Hey." Cannon's voice is sharp as he tries to wedge his broad body between Tuttle and me. His back is to me and I can't see anything around him. He's as big as a wall. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Tuttle? Let her go."

"Stay out of it, Whittaker," Jordan says between clenched teeth just before he lets me go. I take a step back, needing the distance from the sudden testosterone-fueled air. "Leave us alone."

"We were having no problems at my party until you decided to show up." Cannon takes a step toward Jordan, looming over him. They're so close their chests are practically touching, but neither one backs down. "Leave her alone."