cups and smoking, and I decide I’m going to make an appearance and head back to the dorm. I can already tell this party is trouble.
I head in and spot Mia in the kitchen, and I pause. Trouble.
I’m slammed with that push-pull of want and guilt deep in my gut. I shouldn’t even think of her as Mia. I should think of her as Brogan’s girl. But she’ll always be Mia to me. She’ll always be more to me than I can admit to anyone.
God, she’s beautiful. Her long, dark hair is down tonight, hanging in loose curls around her bare shoulders. Her black shirt fits snugly against her body, displaying her curves more blatantly than her typical choice of clothing.
She laughs, and Bailey hands her a shot glass. Mia shoots it back like an old pro.
Bailey throws her hands in the air. “Yes!” And promptly pours another.
What the fuck?
I head to the kitchen and wrap my hand around Mia’s wrist before she can bring the second shot to her mouth. “Slow down, champ.”
My eyes lock with Mia’s, and time skids to a halt. The room grows silent around us—or seems to—because it’s still there. At least, it is for me. She’s been with Brogan for more than six months now, and I’m still jarred by an electric current every time we touch.
I’m horrible and despicable. I’m broken. I shouldn’t be thinking about electric currents in the context of my best friend’s girl.
“I thought you didn't drink,” I say.
“What are you, Arrow? Her dad?”
I ignore Bailey’s soft punch to my shoulder and keep my eyes on Mia. “What’s up?”
Mia avoids my gaze and traces the rim of her shot. “I just want to let loose a little.” The words come out with a tremble. Nerves? Something else?
Bailey’s loud guffaw pulls my attention from Mia. Her grin stretches across her face. “She’s trying to relax so she can rid herself of her V-card.”
“Bailey,” Mia says, her eyes going wide. Bailey throws her hand over her mouth, and Mia looks at me. “Ignore her. She’s drunk.”
Her V-card? “You’re a virgin?” Oh, hell. Somewhere there’s a list of questions you don’t ask your best friend’s girl when you secretly want her for yourself. That one’s gotta be somewhere near the top. There’s also a list of questions that you shouldn’t care how your best friend's girl answers, and it’s probably number one on that list, too.
Mia glares at Bailey. “Why do I tell you anything? Why?”
“She’s a virgin,” Bailey says. “For now.”
And she plans to end that tonight? With Brogan? My stomach twists into knots but I manage to keep a straight face as I pull the shot glass from Mia’s hand. “If that’s the case, you probably shouldn’t get trashed tonight.”
“Where is Brogan, anyway?” Bailey says. “Didn’t he say he was here when he texted you?”
“He had to leave,” Keegan says, stumbling over to us. “His grandma’s in the hospital.”
Mia sets the shot glass on the counter and slips her hand into her purse to retrieve her phone. Her fingers tap quickly at the screen. “I had no idea. Crap.”
Bailey frowns. “I guess this means you aren’t going to give it up tonight. Bad timing, Grandma.”
Mia frowns at her. “You are the actual worst, you know that?”
“Sorry. I suck at serious conversations. Tell Brogan I’m sorry or whatever it is I’m supposed to say.” She bites her lip and cuts her gaze to me. “I’m really not a bitch, I swear. I’m just bad at life.”
Mia’s phone rings and she swipes the screen and puts it to her ear. “Where are you?” She nods, listening. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I can get a ride and be there in . . . Oh. Okay . . . right. No, of course. Please don’t worry about it. I understand . . . yeah. Okay. Well, call when you have a chance but don’t worry about me . . . Okay. I love you.” When she hangs up the phone, all the giddy energy that buzzed around her when I first walked over here is gone. “His grandma had a stroke. She’s in the hospital.”
“Are you going to go?” Bailey asks. “I bet Chris hasn’t been drinking. He could probably drive you.”
Mia shakes her head. “No, it’s just family right now.” She forces a smile. “I’ll let you know when I hear something, but I think I’m going to go out back so I’m somewhere with less noise when he calls again.”