Sweet Little Lies (Dirty Little Lies Duet #2) - J.D. Hollyfield Page 0,16
time at the library studying and zero time enjoying the carefree college life. So tonight, both dressed to impress, we get to see what college is really about. And there’s nothing that can ruin how excited I am to finally get drunk and hopefully laid.
Once inside, I push through the crowd to grab a couple of drinks. I spot the keg, grab us two beers, and hand one to Violet. I swallow a huge gulp, almost choking it back up. “Gross. Guess we better get used to keg beer for the next four years.” I wipe at my mouth, scanning the room, hoping to find hard liquor. My eyes light up when I spot a counter in the kitchen littered with bottle after bottle. “Bingo!” I snatch Violet’s hand and drag her to the jackpot.
“I’m not really a big drinker,” she starts, but I shoo her off.
“That’s why you’re here. To become one.” I laugh and take two cups, pouring a double shot of tequila in each. Handing her one, I bang her cup. “Cheers to a fun night.” I throw my head back and drain my cup. The cheap liquor burns my throat. Definitely not the top-shelf stuff I’m used to. Either way, it does the job. I already feel the stress of the week evaporating. We dance and refill our drinks to the point that I’m feeling a million times better and lighter on my feet.
“Hazel?”
We both turn to Evan, the guy in my physics class who invited me to the party. “Hey, Evan!” Jumping into his arms, I smack my lips against his cheek in a kiss. “Thanks for the invite.” Clearly, the tequila is doing its job of loosening me up.
“Glad you came. You look super-hot,” he praises. It could be the shots, but his compliment sends a rush of heat to my cheeks. “Hey, wanna go do a shot or something?”
I look at Violet to see if she cares. Smiling, she nods for me to go. I mouth, “Thank you,” and bring my attention back to Evan. “Yeah, sure. Let’s go!” He grabs my hand, and I’m on cloud nine as he escorts us deeper into the kitchen. We pass a bunch of people he knows, slapping backs and high fiving. He stops to take a shot from a buddy, then continues walking us farther into the kitchen.
“Wow, you already know a lot of people,” I say, trying to make conversation while he pours two shots of flavored vodka.
He hands me a cup. “Yeah. Technically, I’m a sophomore. I failed physics last year so gotta retake it. Cheers.” We knock cups, and I take down the shot. “Have I mentioned how super-hot you look in that dress?”
I smile. “You may have once or twice.”
I twist my hips back and forth in a flirtatious manner, and he captures my waist, pulling me into him. “Well, you do, babe.” He catches me off guard when he dips his head, capturing my lips. I’m not used to someone being so forward. It takes me a second to start kissing him back. He parts my lips and delves his tongue in, nearly thrusting it down my throat. I try to pull back a bit, but his grip on my waist doesn’t allow for it. Before I have to use force and knee him in the balls, he lets me go.
“Hey.” I step back, touching my bruising lips.
“Shit, sorry…I thought… Did I just misread that?” My put-off expression answers for me. “Shit. I’m so sorry. Hey, let me get you another shot. We can talk. Dance if you want to. I thought you were into me. I thought—”
His smile returns as he replaces his hands on my waist. He senses the vibrations of my phone in my pocket and reaches for it, looking at the screen. “Gabriel’s calling. Should I be worried about competition?”
I snatch the phone out of his hand. What the hell? Why is he calling me? Now? It’s been too long. Too much time has passed. If he even tries to apologize, I won’t hear it. If he tells me what we shared was wrong, I’ll…
“I’m sorry I have to take this. Be right back?” I force a smile and rush through the back door. Finding a quieter spot, I answer.
“What do you want?” I snap, not holding back the anger in my voice.