Page 17 of One More Dare
“Thank youuuu.”
We say “cheers,” and I take the shot, slamming it back before going right back to dancing with Will as Josie and Carrie join us. A moment later, Abbey and Ty join too, hands all over each other and looking all doe-eyed.
Ugh, not to be an asshole and make everything all about me, but the last thing I want is to see all my friends swooning over a person they’re falling for while I’m stuck with someone who seems to really want to be myfriend.
Actually, fuck that, it’s my birthday—todayisall about me.
“I need another water or I’ll die of thirst,” I announce dramatically to Will.
“Can’t have that happen. Come on.” He wraps his hand around my forearm and leads me back to the bar to order us both waters. I try not to think about how great it is that he’s here with me and taking charge while my friends are all coupled up. It’s bringing out unwanted thoughts, and the alcohol is doing fuck all to keep them trapped down where they belong. His weird flirty sense of humor isn’t helping either. He’s probably like that with everyone. Hell, some of the stuff I say to Josie probably sounds flirty when it obviously isn’t, but it’s not like I’ve actually known him for long, so the level of comfort I’d normally associate with that kind of banter isn’t there for me and makes it feel more like actual flirting.
Even if I know he’s just being nice.
He hands me the water, and the second the cool liquid hits my lips, I feel relief, chugging nearly half of it before stopping for air. “You’re really nice, you know that?”
“Am I?” he asks, looking genuinely invested in my answer.
“Yeah. You didn’t have to hang out with me all night just because it’s my birthday. You came here with your own friends.”
“Eh, they don’t care. Trust me. I live with two of them, and they’re all my teammates, so I see them plenty. Besides, I’m having way more fun with you.” The words must slip out of his mouth before he realizes what he said because his pretty blue-green eyes go wide for a second.
“Well, it’s nice to have someone to hang out with since my friends all seem to be coupled up with their new partners.” I ignore the ache in my chest at the admission. I don’t want to be the only single friend, but it seems the spring semester of junior year has different plans.
“Relationships are overrated. Not my thing,” Will dismisses.
“Kind of had a feeling with all the drinks you’ve had thrown in your face,” I deadpan.
“Hey, it’s only happened twice,” he defends. “And to be fair, the first time I wasn’t clear and learned my lesson. Last time, she thought she could change my mind. I’m glad to see Abbey’s long forgotten about me.”
“Don’t think you leftthatmuch of an impression on her,” I joke. “She seemed to have forgotten all about that when I brought up running into you at Bo’s party.”
“Ouch.” Will slams his hand against his heart in a joking manner. “But good. I was a dick, and she deserves better.”
“Porter! Come on, another shot!” Josie calls out to me, stealing my attention.
“Birthday duty calls.” I turn to head toward Josie, assuming Will might take it as an out to go back to his friends, but once again, he surprises me. He steps next to me at the bar, and eyes the shots in front of us.
“Put it on my tab, Delilah.”
“Okay, Mr.Money Bags.” I twist to give him a look.
“What? It’s your birthday, and I want to do something nice for my new friend.”
“Are we officially friends now? Have we upgraded from partners for an assignment?” I ask with a laugh, suddenly nervous that he’ll dismiss the question. Shit. I think I actually want to be friends with Will Carter.
“I’d sure like to be,” he responds immediately, easing my doubts. “But I think that’s up to you, birthday boy. I’m the one with past sins to make up for.”
I hold up the shot. “To new friends.”
“To new friends,” he enthusiastically repeats with a huge smile.
The tequila goes down smoother this time, and I think the alcohol is really starting to catch up to me. I’d already planned to be hungover tomorrow, though—Josie’s been reminding me to get someone to cover my shift for weeks—so I think I’m doing my twenty-first birthday right.
“More dancing?” I prompt.
“If that’s what you want. Let me just go check in with my friends for a second, and I’ll meet you out there.”
“Sure.” I turn, leaving him at the bar, and tell myself it’s not a big deal that he didn’t immediately follow. I walk out onto the dance floor, pretending I don’t care what Will’s doing.
