The Exception(44)

I saw the back of his red shirt and a bit of jet-black hair sticking out the back of the cap, a contrast to the color of his shirt.

I craned my neck to get a better look, but he was gone.

An eerie feeling settled over me as I sank back into my chair, chewing on my bottom lip.

Stop it. I’m just overstimulated tonight.

I swallowed hard as Kari appeared again from the throngs of bodies, one of the water bottles pressed to her forehead. “It’s a madhouse over there!”

“I can see that. But I do appreciate your sacrifice.”

I took one from her outstretched hand, unscrewed the top and took a drink. The coolness of the water felt amazing against the heat of the air. I looked around the patio and until my eyes landed on a tall, dark, and handsome man.

“Water is not what I was expecting to see you drinking,” Max said, smiling at us as he approached.

My spirits fell dramatically as my eyes wandered behind Max … to Cane.

He was ridiculously good looking. His white shirt was pulled tightly over his sculpted chest and abs, the blue design spiraling over his shoulder making his eyes nearly glow. I noticed a table full of college girls watching him walk past, but his eyes were focused intently on me. That made me a little giddy, regardless of the fact that I was still mad.

His face was void of emotion; I had no idea what he was thinking or why he was there.

“I told you I was fine, Max,” Kari said, before flashing him a seductive smile. “But I’m not going to turn down a ride home from a hot guy.”

“I’m hot, huh?” Max grinned. “Let’s go back to your place and I will show you how hot I think you are.” He bent down and nibbled at Kari’s neck, making her giggle.

I looked up to Cane, a look of hesitation marring his features. He seemed to be unsure how I was going to react to him being there. He finally offered his hand to me.

I timidly took it, allowing him to pull me up.

Don’t give him the satisfaction of thinking he gets to me. Play this off.

“Miss me?” Cane asked, smirking.

His arrogance burned through me, but I pretended not to hear him as I smoothed down my black dress. I caught the eye of a guy to my right. He was decent looking, but a little too metrosexual for my taste. We exchanged a flirty smile and Cane bristled at my side.

“Are you fucking serious?” Cane growled.

“Am I serious about what?”

“Jada,” he warned.

“What, Cane? Don’t act like I’m not infatuated with you? Do you want me to pretend like you are the only guy here tonight? Is that what you want?”

“It would make things easier,” he said, his jaw tense.

“I’m sure,” I said in disbelief. “Because things are always about what you want, right?”

Cane’s face contorted angrily. “You like the look of that dipshit over there, peacocking in front of everyone? Fine,” he said, shrugging his shoulders and holding out his hands. “Be my guest.”

He turned to look at the guy again before facing me, a laugh in his voice. “No, really, Jada. If that’s what turns you on, go for it. I won’t even say anything—he wouldn’t even be worth me fucking with until he does something besides the pretty boy workout on the Nautilus machine. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t know whether to fight him or fuck him.”

“Fuck you,” I said, fueled by the alcohol. “You didn’t have to come here tonight. You’ve already gotten what you wanted—there’s no reason for you to pretend like you like me anymore. I know how this works. I’ve done it a time or two.”

Cane’s eyes blazed. “What is that supposed to mean?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Did you think my heart was going to be broken after you ignored me after we fucked?” I shook my head, smiling at the shocked look on his face at my crudeness. “What? Did you think I would think we made love?”

“No, I didn’t expect you to think that. But I didn’t ignore you either!”

“Really? I must be drunker than I thought.”

Cane blew out a breath and took a step back. “You know what? I don’t need this shit.”

“That makes two of us.” I turned on my heel and marched in the bar. I made my way through the crowd until I got to the front and spotted Kari and Max talking to a couple of people.

Cane’s arrogance made me seethe. Who did he think he was?

I stood beside my sister, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Let’s get out of here,” Kari said, squeezing Max’s bicep. “Where’s Cane?”

“I have no idea,” I said as nonchalantly as I could.

Max shot me a look before he began scanning the crowds for his friend.