Nice Guys Don't Win (The Boys #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,70

soft, and the engine hums so softly that I didn’t even think it was on at first.

Teddy sings along to his music on the drive over to Cree’s place and I sit there, a mere spectator to the performance he’s putting on. He parallel parks easily—something I’m envious of since I lack the skill and finesse to do it. We’re heading into the party when I get a text from Cole.

“You go on in,” I tell Teddy. “Don’t do anything crazy.”

He mock-gasps. “Me? I would never.”

Shaking my head, I tighten my coat around me and read the message.

Cole: Where are you?

Me: Party at Cree’s.

Cole: Not with Teddy. Please.

Me: Uh…

Cole: Shit. I’ll be there soon. Keep an eye on him.

Me: You played incredibly tonight. It was amazing to watch.

I hope I don’t sound too much like a fangirl stalker.

Cole: Thanks. That means a lot coming from you.

Me: Let me know when you get here.

Cole: Will do.

Shoving my phone in my pocket, I head into the house. Music is already pumping and somehow in the timespan I was outside Teddy has found a drink and is standing on the dining room table shouting at one of the guys.

“Put my girl Shania Twain on or so help me—”

Man! I Feel Like A Woman starts to play and Teddy cheers, singing along.

Was he spiking his Coke at the game? I know he wasn’t. This is just Teddy.

“Get off that table!” I yell at him, earning more than a few looks from the partygoers.

“Mom!” he cries when he sees me, spreading his arms wide. “Get up here.”

“No, you get down before I call your real mom.”

He narrows his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare. You don’t even know my mom.”

“I have my ways.”

“Fine,” he grumbles, jumping off the table. Beer sloshes out of his cup and he licks his fingers clean. He wraps an arm around my shoulders like he did when we left the game. “Let’s get you a drink.”

“I don’t want a drink.”

“It’s a party. Of course, you want a drink. And take that coat off. Who wears a coat inside a house?” I shrug off his arm and then my coat as we enter the kitchen. He takes my coat and I think he’s going to put it somewhere, but instead he tosses it at some guy, smacking him in the face with it. “Stick that in a closet, Jenkins.”

“Do you even know him?” I whisper-shout, so that he can hear but chances are slim anyone else will.

“I make it a habit to know everyone, Mom. I’m a social butterfly.”

I sigh heavily. What was I thinking agreeing to come to a party with Teddy? He’s exhausting just watching a movie with him, let alone in a situation like this.

“Let’s get you that drink now.”

Grabbing a red solo cup, he pours me some beer from the keg in the corner of the kitchen. Shoving it into my hands, he gives himself a refill to top off what he spilled out.

Taking my free hand, he tugs me back into the family room where the furniture is shoved out of the way to make space for dancing.

He doesn’t really ask me to dance, it sort of happens by accident. Nelly’s Just a Dream plays, and we sort of dance around each other, holding onto our drinks. I laugh, allowing myself to feel free for a bit and let loose. I’ve mostly been studying and focused on the upcoming finals, as well as work, so there’s been less time to decompress.

One song bleeds into another and then Teddy grips me by the waist, pulling me in. My drink falls from my hand, what’s left spilling onto the floor.

The room smells strongly of booze, marijuana, and a mix of overpowering perfume.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” he chuckles, looking over my head. To me, he says, “Sorry about this, Z.”

And then he kisses me.

I’m taken by surprise and don’t have a chance to react. He doesn’t try to force any tongue on me, but he really goes for the dramatics of making it seem like he is. Hands on my face. Wild movements like he can’t get enough of me.

As quick as the kiss started, it’s cut off.

Teddy’s body flies away from mine as he’s yanked backwards. A punch flies into the side of his face.

“What the hell, Teddy!” Cole thunders, inserting his body in front of mine, between me and his friend.

Teddy chuckles, eyes lit with amusement. He rubs his split lip, working his jaw back and forth. “Proving