is waiting for me at the landing, leaning against the wall. Wearing a short black dress and shiny black boots, her legs are long and tan from the sunbed. Her blonde hair is messy and everywhere. Her mask has a little tear on the side, and she pushed it up, using it as a headband. I wonder if she was part of the inquisition that kicked Margo out.
She watches me with a smile and puts a hand on my chest. Long red nails trace the pattern on my sweater. I let her for a few seconds, waiting, wondering if maybe my dick will twitch. I close my eyes when she brushes her lips on my cheek.
“Blazey, I haven’t seen you in forever. You’ve been avoiding my texts.”
“I know. Been busy.”
“We’re all busy, I get it, but now I’m here and you are too.”
Her lips are on my neck, kissing me, and I ease her back, holding her there. She smells like alcohol and flowery perfume.
“No.”
Her mouth turns down, a brittle look in her eyes. “What is up with you?”
I guess she’s finally reached her limit. I’ve been wondering how long it would take.
Instead of answering her, I take her hand and lead her off into one of their formal rooms, a big library. It’s empty and we sit on a leather couch.
She crosses her legs, scoots in close, and gives me a smile. “This is what I’m talking about…me and you alone. It’s about freaking time.” She puts her hands on my shoulders and tilts her face up.
I study her, taking in the perfect face. We’ve never even kissed on the lips, and that is just stupid. I should have been all up in that. I should have been fucking her anytime I wanted. I should have taken her and Candi up on their offer last week.
I clasp my hands. “Dani, we’ve been hanging out as friends for a while now.”
She nods and plays with my hair. “I know. You’ve been a big tease.”
No, I haven’t. I never got too flirty with her or pretended that I wanted her to be anything other than a friend—yet we weren’t friends. Sure, I’ve let her hang on me, but I never encouraged it or took it where she wanted to go. That was all her. I also made sure she and I were never alone. We always had Dillon or other girls with us. I ease away. “I never led you on. You and me…it isn’t going to happen.”
She shakes her head, a confused look in her eyes as she stares at me. “Why not? You’re hot. I’m hot. We look good together.” She squints. “Are you gay? Because that would explain a lot. It’s cool—we can work with that. I’d do anything for you.”
My eyebrows hit the ceiling, and I huff out a laugh. “Not gay, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”
She frowns. “Then it’s the draft. You’re keeping yourself wired for the Combine. I get it. Keeps you focused. Once you get drafted, we can screw like rabbits. I like waiting—builds anticipation.”
I exhale. Obviously she doesn’t know I wasn’t invited. “No.”
A hard, steely look grows on her face. “Then it’s that girl, the one with pink in her hair,” she mutters.
I stand up and pace at those words, ready to get out of this room, but I have to finish this. “You’re a beautiful girl, Dani. Some guy is going to be lucky to have you.” Actually, I’m not so sure about that. She’s got a hungry look about her, a girl searching for money and fame. I’ve always known it, and it just made things easier.
Her mouth opens. “But…but all my sisters think we’re hooking up.”
Because she took every opportunity to give that impression. I think back to all the IG posts she made about us, slanted to look as if we were together. I didn’t complain. I figured it…it would keep Charisma away from me.
“I just don’t understand why you don’t want me.” Big tears spill out and roll down her face.
Dammit. I sit back down next to her, feeling unsure. I never know how to deal with emotion. I’m not detached from it, just clueless. Growing up, I learned to keep my feelings at a distance from people as much as I could, knowing that whatever I felt, it wouldn’t be returned. I clasp my hands as we sit there in silence.
“Dani…I’m really sorry.”
She wipes her face, straightens, and looks at me, the dark makeup around her