Stealing Harper(93)

I stayed in the bathroom until people started pounding on the door and dashed down the long halls trying to avoid looking at the doors to the other rooms I’d already opened. When I rounded a corner I ran right into a broad muscular chest and almost fell on my butt before he caught me.

“I’m so sorry, I—” I shut my mouth when I looked up and saw those deep blue eyes again.

He smiled and I momentarily got distracted by his perfectly straight, white teeth and full lips. Cocking his head to the side, I saw the recognition flash across his face that was soon replaced by a sexy smirk. By the way my heart started pounding, I was sure he’d perfected that look years ago. “Now who are you?”

I blinked and tore my gaze from his mouth and tried to move around him but his hands were still holding me in place.

“What, you’re too good to tell me?”

I thought about the two girls I’d seen him with, and for the first time since running into him, realized there was a new blonde with her arm wrapped around his waist. Wow three girls within half an hour. I raised an eyebrow at him, “Apparently.”

He and the tall blonde both scoffed. After releasing my arms he crossed his in front of his chest exposing even more muscles and a good bit of half sleeve tattoos on both arms. His stance may have looked intimidating if his face didn’t appear so shocked and amused. “Excuse me Princess?”

Narrowing my eyes I started to shoulder my way past him, “You’re right, excuse me.”

He let me pass and I made my way back outside, to where most of the activities happening didn’t make me want to shut my eyes and turn away. Bree said we’d be here all night, and I know it’s childish, but all I want to do is hide out. I found a couple chairs in a dark corner of the backyard and plopped into one. It’s obvious I’m not going to be a fan of parties. I pulled out my phone and texted Carter.

Me: So . . . I don’t understand why you guys get so excited about parties

J. Carter: You at one?

Me: Yep.

J. Carter: Are you drinking?

Me: A little.

J. Carter: . . . please be careful. I know better than anyone that you can take care of yourself. But you’ve never had alcohol before. Don’t let anyone hand you an open drink, and don’t set yours down ever.

Me: Okay Mom.

J. Carter: I’m serious Blaze. Be careful.

I smiled at his nickname for me. I was known for blushing.

Me: I will. Miss you already.

J. Carter: Same here. No one left this weekend, we’re all too upset knowing you’re gone.

Me: I doubt that. You’re probably on a date right now, already forgetting about me.

We texted for hours and I realized the party had thinned out immensely by the time Breanna found me.

“Harper! What are you doing out here by yourself? I’ve been looking for you forever.”

“Sorry, guess I’m not as good at this as you.”

Huffing, she fell into the chair next to me. “You’ll get used to it, once you know more people you’ll have fun. Did you talk to anybody?”

I shook my head, “After I left you I only saw Drew and some other guy.”

“There were a lot of guys here, you’re saying you only saw two in the last few hours?”

“Not that, he just . . . stood out I guess.” Not only because he’d given me a nickname I’d lived with and hated my entire life, but he is easily the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen. He had that bad boy model look going for him, and unfortunately he knew it.

“Really? And who is this mystery guy?”

“Apparently he isn’t really a mystery.” I laughed, “I saw him with three different women in like thirty minutes. He was kind of a jerk too.” Not exactly, but I didn’t like his entitled attitude.

“Sounds like my kind of man!”

I looked over at her, shocked.

“Kidding Harper! Kidding, oh my God you are too fun to mess with. Well, not to say I didn’t have my hands all over a few guys myself, but at least that was over the course of four hours.” She laughed and stood up, offering me a hand. “Come on, practically everyone’s already gone.”

“Are we going back to the dorms?”

“No way, crazy! I never drive if I’ve had anything to drink within the last three hours. It’s a rule.”

“Sooo . . . where are we going then?”

“Well first we’re gonna find my brother, and then we’ll crash in his room.”

“What? No! I’m not sleeping in his room.”

“Chill Harp, it’ll just be you and me in there. I always get his room after these parties.” She pulled me across the lawn toward the back door.

I groaned and tried to keep up, almost losing my flip flops on the way.