Trust in Me(57)

            When I lifted my head, our gazes collided and held. The hue of her eyes deepened, almost blending in with her pupils. There was a connection there between us. No mistaking the electricity shimmering in the tiny space between our lips. And when hers parted, I lowered my head, wholly intent on kissing her.

            “Yo, Cam!” Jase yelled, obliterating the moment. “You’re up.”

            I smiled tightly. “Don’t go too far.”

            “Okay,” she said, her hands slipping away.

            Stalking back over to the table, I shot Jase a dirty look. “Perfect timing.”

            “What?” He watched me pick up the Ping Pong ball. “Did I interrupt Avery turning you down?”

            “Funny.” I bounced the ball, missing my target. Cursing, I picked up the cup. “Fuck you all.”

            Jase let out a loud laugh and said something, but my narrowed gaze found Avery. I could barely see her. Her friends flanked either side and a red cup had ended up in her hands. She really wasn’t drinking and, for some reason, I was glad to see that. Their group grew and every so often, she disappeared from view, reappearing a few minutes later. Once this stupid game was over, it was her and me, and no interruptions. And, dammit, tonight she would tell me yes when I asked her out.

            “Incoming,” Jase warned.

            I didn’t realize what he was talking about at first, but arms went around me from behind. I knew immediately it wasn’t Avery. I couldn’t get that lucky.

            “What are you dressed as?” Steph asked.

            “Myself,” I told her, turning around. She was dressed as if Little Red Riding Hood had wandered onto a porn set.

            She smiled, twirling the edge of one of her pigtails. “That’s not really a costume.”

            “We are too awesome to wear costumes,” Jase said, eyeing Steph’s friend.

            I gently untangled Steph’s arms. “You guys look hot.”

            “I know.” Steph giggled. “Can we join?” she asked, nodding at the game.

            Jase stepped aside, and I knew by the way he was paying attention to Steph’s friend, he wouldn’t be spending the night alone.

            My attention immediately sought out Shortcake. I was surprised for a second time that night when I saw what she was doing.

            She was dancing.

            It shouldn’t be such a big deal, but I had the suspicion that whatever caused her to stop dancing professionally hindered her from doing it at all.

            God, she was . . . there were no words.

            The song was fast, with a lot of beats, and her hips hit them all. Holding on to Brittany’s hand, the two of them danced together. A smile pulled at my lips as Jacob joined them. Her head was tipped back, arms raised, and she was laughing.

            In that moment, I realized I was seeing a very different side of Avery. One I’d never seen before, where she was lively and carefree, and fucking perfect.

            “I’m going to marry that girl one day,” I heard myself say.

            Jase choked on his beer and bent over, dragging in deep breaths. “Holy shit.”

            I grinned.

            But it immediately began to fade as some guy came up behind her, slapping his hands on her hips. Avery jumped a good half foot off the floor as she looked over her shoulder.

            Tony. That was his name. A freshman who was just initiated into Jase’s frat. He’d been a part of the first group we’d beaten at beer pong—the one who’d almost fallen face-first into the table. I didn’t know him, but I didn’t like him. And I sure as fuck didn’t like what he was doing with his hips.