like friends . . . with benefits. He isn’t looking for anything serious and neither am I so it’s made everything much easier for me.
I don’t need to commit again. I don’t want to unless it’s with Nolan. He’s the only person I can see myself with now. He’s the first person I think of when my eyes open. When I’m lonely at night, he’s the one I want to be with. Between his arms is where I want to be when there’s a hole in my chest that needs to be filled but I’ll most likely have to change this scenario if he keeps avoiding me.
After applying mascara, I turn the lights off and go for my keys. I check the hall mirror once more, tucking a loose tendril behind my ear. Harper dyed my hair jet-black last night and I love it. It was time for something new. I swore to myself I was going to become a new Natalie and I had never changed my hair color before so I went for it. Of course Harper brought it to my attention but I agreed so this proves something has changed within me.
My hair is straight, silky, and against my shoulders. I’ve decided to go with dark skinny-jeans, a white belly shirt, and gold jewelry. Harper went with Dawson to the party and I know I’m late so I rush out of the door, lock it behind me, and then hop into the elevator.
****
The party is live, more packed than last the last time. I can see the lights from outside. They’re bouncing off the walls in various colors and I can even hear yelling and laughter. I park my car and hop out, ready for a good party.
A few people are on the porch chatting with plastic red cups in hand. Some are near the lake making out. At the sight of them, it brings back memories of the sex Nolan and I had on the beach beneath the dock right after he fought my best friend Mark. My stomach flips as I grab the door knob and step in.
The heavy scent of sweat fills my lungs and the first thing I see is people dancing, either alone or against one another. Most of the people in the room have plastic red cups in hand which most likely contain liquor.
As I scan the living room, I spot Dawson and Harper dancing. Her eyes are shut and her hips are completely glued against his groin. There is literally no space between them. Dawson runs his hands up her bare thigh and her head falls back. She grips a lock of his long blonde hair and he kisses her neck. They’re performing a damn show on the dance floor but I’m the only one who seems to notice.
I laugh as I watch them. I won’t kill her moment. She and Dawson seem to be having fun and now it’s my turn. I turn my head slowly and look towards the kitchen. I don’t know where Tyler is but I don’t want to run into him until I have something in my system. Pushing through the crowd, I hurry for the kitchen and as soon as I’m in, I see someone who shouldn’t even be here.
Standing in front of the counter with a cup in his hand and a smile on his lips is Nolan. He has on a fitted black T-shirt that sticks to every crease of his upper body. His jeans are snug against his waist and his hair is gelled in the sexy, purposely messy way that always drives me crazy.
I come to a sudden halt, looking at him from head to toe. In front of him is a girl with dark hair and a drink in her hand. When I see her smiling up at him, something pinches inside of me and I march ahead. I take a few steps forward, pushing through the people who are in my way until I reach them.
Nolan’s grey eyes widen at the sight of me. His eyes start from my new hair color and then down to my cleavage. He scans me intensely and I bite on my lower lip with a fidget. Swallowing, I stare into his eyes and he places his cup down on the counter in front of him. “Natalie,” he breathes over the music. The girl standing in front of him scowls at me before walking away. I’m glad she knows she’s in no competition.
Nolan’s