She arches a brow. “Who says I can’t have two?”
“I don’t dance.”
She smiles, and her hand slips around to my back, pulling my body closer to hers. “That just means you haven’t danced with the right woman yet.”
Holding me against her, her hips sway and mine follow. It feels awkward at first, my insecurity blaring in my head. But then, Stephen takes my hands and places them on her waist. His fingers trail up my arms, his light touch setting a blaze along my skin, and settling on top of where her hands are resting on my shoulders.
The three of us are sandwiched together. Connected. My eyes dart around the room, looking to see who’s watching us.
But no one is. Everyone here is halfway to drunk, enjoying themselves.
So why can’t I do the same?
She tips her head back and rests it against Stephen’s chest as she gazes up at me. “This isn’t so bad, is it?”
My fingertips squeeze her hips. “No.”
Stephen’s hand leaves my left shoulder and moves to her chin, tilting her face to the side. She closes the distance willingly, and presses her lips to his.
Possession rips through me—whether it’s because he’s kissing her, or she’s kissing him, I have no idea. I stop moving, stricken as I watch their tongues snake out and wrap around one another. I should go. Leave them to themselves, and leave this stupid party.
But then she turns her head and presses her lips against mine.
Her lips are soft and pillowy, and they open for me instantly. There’s a hint of cinnamon on her tongue from Stephen’s gum as it snakes into my mouth in search of mine.
I glance up at Stephen, my mouth fused to hers, and I don’t miss his hungry gaze, his hooded eyes watching me. He licks his lower lip before he takes it between his teeth, and that subtle move makes my dick jump. He dips his head a fraction of an inch, teasing me with the thought of him joining our kiss.
Until the beauty between us pulls away from my mouth, panting. “Let’s take this somewhere else.”
She says it to both of us. She wants us, together.
But it snaps me out of my trance, and I step back like a bucket of cold water has been dumped on my head.
What the hell am I doing?
I turn away and leave them standing there.
“What’s the plan?We can’t exactly go in there and kick the shit out of a bunch of kids.”
I rub my palms together as I grin at my teammates. “No, but we can scare ‘em.”
Alex shoots me a warning glare. “Seriously, what’s the plan?”
I turn my attention to Kellerman. “This was your idea. How’s this going down?”
“We make our anti-bullying speech. We give a spotlight to Avery, letting everyone know that he’s our friend who invited us today.” Chance crosses his arms over his chest. “Then the principal will remind the students of the consequences of bullying at school, and the coaches will let their teams know that any athletes caught causing problems will be kicked off their teams. Hopefully, that sends the message.”
I have zero tolerance for bullying. Athletes are supposed to be role models and leaders. They shouldn’t be the ones instilling fear in the rest of their school.
“Remind me whyhe’shere?” Jason arches a dark brow in Kellerman’s direction.
It does look strange, having him here when he’s not one of the Goldfinches. And I can’t tell my teammates that I used to fuck someone on our rival team—not because they wouldn’t support me, but because Kellerman is hellbent on hiding what we had.
Kellerman’s jaw clenches. “I’m friends with Avery’s aunt.”
Alex nods, and claps him on the shoulder, ever the peacemaker. “It’ll look great having two rival teams here, coming together for a good cause. Show the kids that if we can get along, so can they.”
That’s why Alex is our captain. He’s level-headed and understanding, and can swallow his pride for the greater good of the cause.