Fate (Steel Brothers Saga #13) - Helen Hardt Page 0,19

tried a thing with me, and so far, I wasn’t interested in him in that way.

Brad Steel, though? He was perfection. Male beauty like I’d never seen. Why he was interested in me mystified me. I was attractive, I knew, but I’d just told him I was a virgin and wasn’t interested in sex. From what I understood, that would send most college guys running.

I’d lied about having plans because of the woman Patty mentioned. If Brad Steel was already involved with someone, I didn’t want any part of him.

Except that I did.

I wanted him badly in a way I didn’t fully comprehend, which scared the daylights out of me.

Brad dropped me off back at the dorm, and Patty went home with them for the nightcap. I sighed. Had I made the right choice? Patty most likely wouldn’t be home again tonight, so I was alone. Another party was already starting in the lounge, but no way was I drinking again tonight. Or possibly ever. I wasn’t in any hurry to relive that nightmare.

I could call home, but then my mother would worry. I’d only been gone two days. She was such a mother hen, especially after the events of junior year.

I tried not to think about those days. I didn’t remember a lot of what went on during my hospitalization anyway, so thinking about it racked my nerves something awful. Losing a block of life was freaky, to say the least.

I remembered everything now. I forced myself to, from the important to the mundane. I didn’t ever want to lose a part of me again. For example, I remembered that Brad Steel was wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and leather sandals when I met him. I remembered his feet were as perfect as the rest of him. I remembered the warmth of his hand, the feel of his firm lips on my own.

Yeah, and what I had for breakfast each day, and so forth. Never again would I lose a part of my mind. I was determined.

What would Brad Steel think if he knew I’d spent the majority of my junior year of high school in a mental hospital? Would he still be interested? That was a lot more to deal with than my virginity.

No matter how much I tried not to think of that time, when I was alone, it always crept into my mind. I could go down to the lounge, forget my woes in some more pink punch, if indeed that was what they were serving up tonight.

I forced myself to remember everything, though, and one thing I’d never forget was how I felt last night.

Never again.

But what to do?

I checked my hair in the mirror and decided to see what my next-door neighbors were up to. We’d done some “get to know you” activities today. I knocked on the door next to ours. No answer. Same for the door on the other side.

They were probably all down at the lounge party, where I didn’t want to go.

If I wanted company, that was where I needed to be. Why not? I didn’t have to drink. There was certainly no law forcing me to.

I went back to the room, braided my hair, and added a touch of lip gloss. Then I went to join the party.

“Hey, love!” Ennis brought me a cup.

I shook my head. “Not going there tonight.”

“Relax. It’s punch. You weren’t the only one who experienced the horrors of last night’s brew. Tonight it’s strictly add your own booze if you want it.”

I sniffed at the drink. “How can I be sure? I hardly tasted the liquor last night.”

“Scout’s honor,” he said. “I poured it myself.”

“All right.” I took a drink. It was sweeter than last night’s, which I guessed meant it wasn’t spiked. I hoped, anyway.

Sex wasn’t the only thing I had no experience with. Drinking was another, obviously.

“Not with the caveman tonight, eh?” Ennis said.

“Caveman?”

Ennis pointed to his jaw.

“Oh, Brad. He’s really sorry about that, by the way.”

“No hard feelings. He seems to like you a lot. I’m surprised you’re not with him.”

“I was. We had dinner, but that’s over.”

“I suppose I don’t stand a chance against him, do I?”

“Oh. I guess I didn’t realize…”

“What? That I might be interested in you? Daphne, you’re the most beautiful girl in this room. In any room, actually.”

I wasn’t sure what to say.

“You really have no idea how spectacular you are, do you?”

“I mean…I guess I’m attractive…”

“Attractive? You’re stunning. You’re tall and lean with perfect curves.