The Enemy - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,69

through my phone, #HappyBirthdayColby catches my eye. There are a ton of pictures under it, and just by looking at a couple of them, I recognize the house. It's at Colby's, the same place as the graduation party we crashed.

A picture of Lennon standing with Tess, Savannah, and Delaney comes up. She looks beautiful, and my stomach churns at the thought of her being even more mad at me than she was before. I need to talk to her, and it can't wait.

I grab a shirt from the closet and pull it over my head. Taking my keys off the nightstand, I leave my room without a second thought.

I can't lose her, especially not to him.

MUSIC FILLS THE PARTY, but I notice everyone seems focused on the same thing. Colby is sitting in a chair in the center of the room, while Lennon stands next to him, laughing. My brows furrow as I step up next to Knox.

"What's going on?" I ask.

His eyes widen. "Cade. Uh, maybe you shouldn't be watching this."

He goes to lead me away, but I rip myself from his grasp. "No. What the fuck is going on?"

He rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Tess dared Lennon to give Colby a lap dance for his birthday."

My entire body tenses as “River” by Bishop Briggs starts to play through the room. Lennon is in a fit of giggles, and a part of me wonders if she's even going to do it. Knox goes to pull me away again, but I'm not having it.

"Get the fuck off me."

The sound of my voice gets Lennon's attention, and her expression changes. Don't do it. Don't fucking do it. I'm mentally willing her not to, but my being here alone is motivation enough for her.

As the chorus starts, she drops into his lap and starts moving her ass, showing all the skill she possesses at dance. It's sensual and erotic, and everything I wish she was doing to me, but not him. Definitely not him.

Her eyes stay locked with mine as she moves against Colby, and I take a step closer. Savannah, Delaney, and Tessa all watch me, but my gaze doesn't leave Lennon. As she leans back against him, his one hand grips her hip while the other moves to her cheek. He turns her head and goes to kiss her. Their lips are only centimeters from each other when Lennon's eyes droop closed, but before they can connect, I grab her wrist and pull her into me.

My mouth covers hers, stealing the kiss that was meant to be Colby's, and it’s like a breath of fresh air. Her lips move against my own, as if she can’t help herself. Tasting her again is like heaven, and I’m instantly high off the feeling. With her lips still on mine, I push the toe of my shoe against his chair and push. Colby falls back and onto the floor while I steal the girl right in front of him.

Like she just now realized what she was doing, Lennon breaks the kiss and pushes me away. She's seething. Angrier than I've ever seen her. And it's all focused on me. She turns and storms out the front door, leaving me alone in the middle of the crowded party.

"Smooth move, asshole," Tessa says, and moves to follow Lennon, but I stop her.

"Let me. We need to have this out."

She looks hesitant but reluctantly agrees. I rush out the door, and the second I look to the side, I see her. She's frustrated, pulling at her hair and pacing back and forth. When I get close enough, she turns around and her eyes meet mine.

"You need to stop doing that," she demands, but there’s a weakness to her words. "Stop showing up places. Stop kissing me. And stop doing shit to push me away! You just need to stop."

"I know."

She scoffs. "You know, but keep doing it."

"I know,” I repeat. “I'm a stupid son of a bitch, and I should leave you alone, but I fucking can't." I pause for a second and take a breath. "You're like a drug to me, and I can't seem to get my fix."

She rolls her eyes. "How romantic."

Stepping closer, I smile. "Is that what you're looking for? Romance? To be wined and dined? Swept off your feet? Because I don't think it is."

"Oh? And what is it I want?"

"Me," I answer confidently. "Someone to fight you. Someone who makes you as angry as I do. Someone who