much she loves it.” I opened the package and there it was—her bracelet, amid a wad of tissue.
I looked back up at him. “She needs this. Thank you.”
“You’re the one who thought of it. I’ll catch you in a bit.” I nodded and he brushed past me to head toward an enthusiastically waving Lulu.
Someone pushed a beer in my hands, and I made the rounds to say hi to everyone. I talked to my father and step-mum first, since I assumed this wasn’t quite their high-society scene and they’d want to get out before it got too late. They congratulated me, and my father looked pleased although he asked me a hundred questions about whether I was ready for classes to begin, if I had purchased my books, and on and on.
An hour later, after a few toasts had been had, I ended up on a stool chatting with Axel and Alexandria. I’d had a few drinks, and my buzz was making me antsy rather than relaxed.
“Any plans after this?” she asked, sending me a flirtatious grin.
Did I?
That depended on Remi. I wanted to talk to her more—without Hartford in my face—but she hadn’t left his side.
I flicked my eyes over to see them holding hands at the end of the bar. She towered over the other girls, looking gorgeous in some kind of green dress, her hair swinging against her neck.
I tried to catch her eye, but she never looked in my direction, her eyes seeming to avoid mine. It was intentional, I assumed, feeling my anger rise again. She was the girl who needed control, and I was screwing with it.
Hartford watched me though, his eyes narrowed as he caught me staring at Remi. Fuck him. I didn’t care. I smiled at him and raised my glass. You might have her now, Omega, but who knows about tomorrow . . .
He gave me a haughty smile and leaned down to kiss Remi on the head. My fists clenched. Douche. I wanted to rip into him . . .
“Hello? Dax?” Alexandria asked.
I moved my eyes off Remi. “What?”
She giggled, pink lips sucking on her straw. “I was saying that Bettina and I are going to the Tau house later—but I don’t want to go if you aren’t there.”
I slid a finger down her arm. “Maybe you can come to my place.”
It was obvious Remi was with Hartford, so what was I waiting on?
A short time later, I saw from my peripheral vision that they’d joined the circle at our end of the bar.
Don’t bloody look at her.
God, I hated seeing them together.
Most of all, I wanted a reaction out of her when she was near me.
Something. Anything.
I mean, how could she walk around with him and pretend like we didn’t just have a big fucking moment last night?
She ordered a drink and the bartender set it on the bar next to me. Reaching to the bar, her arm brushed mine.
I flinched.
“Excuse me, sorry.” She blinked rapidly, her face frozen.
I smirked. “Touch me anytime, angel.”
She’d been turning back to Hartford who was in a conversation with someone, but pivoted around to face me, a glare in her eyes.
“Oops. Bad habit.” I grinned and turned to the blonde next to me. “Remi, do you remember . . .” I stopped. What was her name? Shit. I’d known it a minute ago.
“Alexandria,” Remi said dryly.
I leaned over, took Alexandria’s hand and kissed it. “Sorry. Too many drinks already, but I promise it won’t happen later.”
She giggled, and I leaned over and kissed her full on the lips, my tongue slipping inside hers. She moaned and just when her hands were snaking around my neck, I pulled back, glancing at Remi.
That was all for you, my eyes said.
You’re a bastard, hers said.
I bit my bottom lip, my gaze raking over her dress, lingering on her legs. My eyes lifted and met hers. I cocked an eyebrow. If you say the word, I’d kiss you instead, my face said.
Her face flamed, and her hands shook.
But I was past caring if she was hurt by a girl I was with. She was killing me.
A side of me wanted to pick at the wounds I knew we both had, because goddamn, I just wanted something from her instead of the girl who wanted to pretend we were barely even acquaintances.
No way in hell was I going back to the game we’d been playing.
I refused. REFUSED.
We would acknowledge we had a shitty past and only then would