Part 49 (2/2)
Has he seen her? I'm drunk, edging towards wasted, and my brain isn't functioning. Nate isn't far behind, I've lost count of the number of beers we've had.
Not good.
I hope to h.e.l.l he recognises Fleur and doesn't say anything to her.
Fleur's with the guy from the library the Mr. Perfect, s.h.i.+ny guy. She's holding his hand, and his other is on her a.s.s. As if that's not bad enough, the guy is checking out every other chick who walks past, even though Fleur can't take her eyes off him.
My head hurts with a rush of anger and I blink. Calm the f.u.c.k down, Will. Not my problem.
I shake my head, but the world doesn't right itself again. My evening is about to become complicated.
FLEUR.
I forget that 'quiet drink' and 'student union' aren't phrases that match at this time on a Friday; no wonder Ethan looked surprised when I suggested it. Hardly the best place to chat. We've met up a few times in the last couple of weeks, usually a coffee after cla.s.s where conversation has stuck to the subjects we both study. Today at the library, he asked me out for a drink.
Friday night out and a drink.
When he curls an arm around me and places his hand on my a.s.s, I'm torn between telling him to let go and allowing myself to be seen as his. Not like he's squeezing or groping, just resting his hand. I can live with that. The time I've spent l.u.s.ting over this guy allows this.
Every time I've sat with Ethan and talked about the reunion of Germany or our dissertation topics, I've stared at the soft, blonde hair on his arms, wanting to stroke him, or fixated on his full mouth imagining how he kisses. A hand on my a.s.s is one step closer to his mouth on mine.
”Meeting some friends later,” he says, breath against my face as he talks straight into my ear.
My excitement wanes. ”Oh, right.”
”Sorry, boy's night, but we can catch up tomorrow?”
”Sure.”
Ethan turns on his dazzling smile, straight white teeth and dimples. Oh G.o.d, he has dimples. ”I wanted to see you though, before I went out. Don't want you thinking I'd stand you up.”
”No, it's fine.”
”So, what are you having?”
”Just a beer.”
”You got it.”
I appreciatively stare at Ethan's backside as he stands at the bar until I'm distracted by a guy of a similar height standing next to him. The twins aren't the only students rocking their image, but something about how they pull it off outs.h.i.+nes the others. Will or Nate? I stiffen.
He's a similar height and build to Ethan, but that's where the similarity ends. To Ethan, grunge is what you'd find in the plughole attracting more grossness; to my rock star friend, it's a natural state of being that attracts girls.
Fine, I see why; I haven't failed to notice that if they took some metal out of their skin and tidied themselves up they'd be hot as h.e.l.l. Okay, many think they already are, but mismatching clothes with torn arms don't scream s.e.xy to me. No thanks. Ethan's smart blue s.h.i.+rt stretching across his broad shoulders. Yes, please.
I haven't seen Will since his d.i.c.khead performance at the party. As soon as he turns around, I'll be able to tell which twin this is by the expression on his face.
”Nate, man!” A blond guy approaches and claps him on the back. ”I timed that awesomely. Mine's a pint.”
Nate turns his head and says something to his friend and they have a conversation I can't hear, where Nate indicates a different part of the building. Nodding, the blond guy wanders off.
Nate turns around holding several beer bottles by the neck in each hand. As he notices me, I smile. ”Hey.”
Nate's eyes widen and he nods. ”Hey.”
”Your message was about a night out too, huh?”
”Um. Yeah.”
I swear he's about to step away from me. Nate was weird when we were alone before, but now he refuses to look me in the eye.
”Everything okay?” I ask.
”Yeah, good. You?”
”Good.”
”Right.” Nate inclines his head in the direction his friend went then holds up the beers. ”Gotta go.”
Before I can summon a response, he pushes through the bodies. Rude, much? Okay, so we're not best friends; but up until tonight, we chat. Am I too uncool to be seen talking to? Worried people will think we're an item?
Ethan turns too. ”You okay?”
”Fine. Thanks for the beer.”
One of the hottest guys I know is giving me attention, so why am I p.i.s.sed off that Nate practically ignored me? I'm his equal. Who cares if he's famous these days? He can't be nice to me only when he feels like it to get what he wants. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d is using me. He's as bad as his brother.
WILL.
I chew on a nail as Nate approaches. He spoke to Fleur.
f.u.c.k.
When Nate sets my beer down in front of me, he flashes me a look and shakes his head. ”Your friend spoke to me.”
”What did you say to her?” I s.h.i.+ft away from the girl next to me and lower my voice.
”Nothing. h.e.l.lo, basically; I didn't know what the f.u.c.k to say!”
”Do you think she noticed?”
<script>