Just a Little Crush(39)

Fallon rolled her eyes and led me to the dance floor. “She will hit on you relentlessly if she even thinks she has a tiny chance, so whatever you do, don’t let her think she does.”

“What?” I asked.

Fallon squealed and launched herself into another friend’s arms. “Mel! I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“I know, girl. Been studying. My grades last semester killed my GPA. Now I’m paying for it. Going to lose my scholarship if I don’t turn that shit around.” She waved at me. “Hi, I’m Mel.”

“Hi, I’m Brinley. The roommate.”

“Cool. This is Leena. My roomie and the bestest dancer ever.” She pointed to a girl with a lean, tall frame. Her neck was long and her shoulders straight, posture perfect. If I had to guess, I’d say dance major.

“It’s inevitable she’ll make us look bad, so just shake your ass a lot and maybe no one will notice,” Fallon said, wiggling her hips.

Leena laughed. “I don’t think classical ballet compares to ass shaking.” She smiled at me. “Nice to meet you, Brinley. And I’m pretty sure next to you, in that dress, it’s impossible to make you look bad.”

My cheeks warmed. “She made me wear it.”

“Guilty as charged.” Fallon grinned.

“Sounds like something she’d do. But don’t worry, she steered you right. You look fan-fucking-tastic,” Mel said.

“Thanks.”

“Okay, enough feeding the ego. Let’s dance.” Fallon raised her beer and the girls tapped cans with her.

Another guy bumped into me, and I glanced around. I swore people were staring at my too-tight dress. What if I looked like an idiot trying to dance in it? But I came to have fun. And dancing was fun. The stares were probably only in my head. Finishing a drink would help me relax. The last time I’d hung out with Fallon, I’d discovered the sweet spot between sober and drunk. And that’s where I needed to be now. I chugged my beer then set the empty can down.

“Damn. Want another?” Fallon asked.

“No. Just needed the courage.”

“Ah, gotcha.” She bumped her hip into mine.

Between the shots and the beer I’d loosened up enough to enjoy myself. Leena was a damn good dancer, but she was also funny as hell and spent more time goofing off than actually trying to impress anyone. Still, she looked amazing.

Several guys approached us but Mel deemed them all unworthy. It was a nice change, considering Fallon found everyone acceptable. So we remained dancing alone. Eventually I got thirsty enough to finish off another beer, and I even let Fallon and Mel convince me to take another shot. It wasn’t hard though. The carefree attitude that came with drinking was alluring, and all my prior reservations about alcohol seemed silly.

“Having fun?” Fallon asked.

Between her partying and extracurricular activities, I’d always seen Fallon as someone headed down the same path as my mom, but the more I hung out with her, the more I realized she was nothing like Mom. And neither was I.

I could enjoy myself without turning into my mother. And that’s exactly what I’d do.

“Yeah,” I admitted.

“Good. Just try not to slip in the drool puddle.” She gestured behind me.

Four guys were huddled in a group, watching us dance. They smiled when I made eye contact. I smiled back then quickly turned to Fallon. By the next song, two more guys had joined the group and, on the one hand, the dress did make me feel incredibly hot, but on the other, I wondered if this was how strippers felt. Practically naked while guys drooled waiting for that last shred of clothes to drop. It wasn’t very often I felt this sexy though. I decided to go with it.

I thought I heard my name and turned to the guys. One glanced up from his phone and smiled but I didn’t recognize anyone. Fallon danced up to me and pressed her butt up to mine. The guy’s mouth dropped and I grinned. She slowly circled me then did it again.

“Stop teasing them.” I laughed.

“Please, it’s what they’ve been waiting for. Right, boys?”

A few made little hooting sounds.

“See.”

Laughing, I pushed her back.

Leena grabbed my hand and tugged me against her. “Please, they are here for the classic art of dance.” She spun me away.

I twirled out and came face-to-face with Ryder. “Oh. Hi.” Then I was reeled back in. The room blurred and a bubbly sort of lightheadedness settled over me, triggering a laugh.

“Who’s the pissed-off hottie?” she asked as she let go of my hand.

“Ryder. And he’s not pissed.” I glanced back. “Or maybe he is.” I shrugged.