“See, I can practise right here on the dance floor,” he says, leaning closer so I can hear him. He smells like cologne and sex, and I wrinkle my nose at him. He smiles and puts his hands on my hips, as I swivel them seductively. He doesn’t come too close, or move his hands anywhere inappropriate. This is just us dancing as friends, and I find myself having fun.
Ryan spins me around, and we're both laughing by the end of the song. We're walking back to the table when I see Reid staring daggers at me. Then he turns, looking around the bar until his eyes come across a stunning blonde. He waits until her eyes meet his, then tilts his head slightly towards the office. She smiles seductively, and walks towards the office, her hips shaking with each step. She opens the office door and walks in, Reid following her, and closing the door behind him. Ryan heads to the bar, taking over.
I swallow and look away, taking my seat at the table. I skull the rest of my drink, not even wanting to contemplate why I'm reacting the way I am. Reid and I are nothing, not even friends. I don’t know how much time passes, but I distract myself with talking to Dash, Ryan and Xander, and having a few more drinks. The bar empties, so Ryan sits with me at the table.
When someone stands at the table, I can tell it’s him without even having to look up. It’s like he has some sort of pull over me, some sort of energy that attracts me.
I can feel him, without even touching him.
Ryan laughs at his brother. “'Bout time you got some action brother.”
I swallow hard, still not looking up at Reid, waiting for him to leave.
Needing him to leave.
But he still stands there. I look at my brother instead, smiling shyly across the room at the mysterious girl.
“Summer.”
Why can’t he just leave? Now he wants to talk?
“Yeah?” I say, reluctantly looking up at him. He looks angry, for some reason. Like it was me that just screwed some random person in the office, like we didn’t share that kiss.
“Did you ask Ryan whatever you needed to?” he asks with a smirk.
I look at Ryan. “Oh, right. I was wondering if you had any job openings?”
Reid looks surprised for a moment, but I don’t have it in me to care why right now.
“Sure, you can work in the bar,” Ryan offers, giving me a smile. Ryan is so easy to be around, I’ll be glad to have him as my boss. Reid, on the other hand…
He watches me carefully, as if looking for a reaction from his little office romp. But he isn’t gonna get it. My body reacts to Reid, that much is certain, but I’m not one to play these games. I may not have that much experience, but I know I deserve better than this.
I ignore Reid for the rest of the night, but I can feel him watching me. I’m doing a shot with Ryan and Dash when Xander walks over, looking sheepish. He rubs his jaw, looking at me.
“What?” I ask him warily, rubbing the alcohol off my bottom lip.
“I’m not coming home tonight. Ryan or Reid will take you home,” he announces. I look behind him to see the girl he was watching earlier. I decide not to make this easy on him. What are big sisters for, right?
“So, where are you going then?”
“To her house,” he answers, his eyes narrowing.
“Do you even know her?”
“Summer…”
I cut him off. “What if she takes advantage of you?” I say it louder than necessary. The guys burst out in laughter, and Xander just shakes his head at me, amused.
“That’s the plan, sis,” he smirks.
“Hey!” I call out to the girl. She looks at me, looking a little frightened.
“No glove, no love,” I remind her. Xander instantly grabs her hand and pulls her away, saving her from me.
“They grow up so fast,” I muse, earning more laughter from the peanut gallery. Reid walks up to me, leaning on the bar facing me.
“We needa talk,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“We don’t needa do anything,” I return, looking at the dance floor which is suddenly very interesting.
“Summer, we can’t just…”
“Can you call me a cab?” I ask him, interrupting his speech.
“I’m taking you home,” he says, sounding irritated.
“Where’s Ryan?” I ask, looking around. I swear he was here a second ago. When I see him heading to the office with a different chick, I gape. Again? Really? Reid chuckles at the look on my face and I hate that the sound sends shivers up my spine. I wobble a little, feeling tipsy.
“Give me thirty minutes and I’ll take you home,” he says, his tone final.
“I hope someone disinfects the surfaces in that office,” I say, more to myself than him.
“Well, when you start working maybe that can be your duty,” he says dryly, a scowl etched on his face.
“If I’m cleaning it, I get to use it, too,” I say, looking up at him.
He’s so handsome it hurts.
“I’m sorry, what?” he growls.
I shrug, as if I don’t care either way.
“You think you can take some guy, f**k him in there and then I’ll let him live?” he says with a humourless chuckle.
“Don’t think it’s any of your business,” I say.
He smiles evilly. “Xander, Dash, Ryan, your father… Do I need to keep going? There's no way any man you decide to get with will survive the night.”
“Why do you care so much?” I snap at him.