Page 76 of Fueled Hate

“I need to get back to work. Y’all be good,” I instruct.

“Yes ma’am,” Bryce hollers even though I’m less than two feet away.

“Sure.” I nod at Bryce before looking to Jett. “If you want to hang out tonight, we’re going to a party. Dylan can tell you where it’s at.”

“South Campus Frat House?” Jett asks, looking to Dylan.

“Yep,” Bryce confirms.

“Yeah. I’ll be there. Everyone’s been talking about it all week. We’ll get to hang out tonight after all.” Jett gives me another thumbs-up before moving down the bar to help a customer.

Dylan keeps a malicious stare pinned on Jett as he speaks with a guy at the end of the bar.

Jealous. Dylan is jealous of Jett of all people. I could understand his problem with Kyle, but Jett is a really great friend of mine, and if he gives him a chance, he’ll realize that they both greatly loathe Kyle. And if Dylan’s gonna be part of my life, I want him to like my friends too.

“Jealousy isn’t a good look on you,” I tease before stepping back.

Dylan’s face slightly relaxes, his eyes trail down my body and back to my eyes. “You look good on me.”

Biting my lip, I turn away with a quirk of my eyebrow. He’s pushing all the right buttons as I stand there, and he’s damn good at it.

* * *

The thumping vibrations from the music blaring at the frat party reaches us before the house is even in view. The party is definitely in full swing as people cover the majority of the lawn, and once we’re inside, the crowd is shoulder to shoulder. Dylan cups my hand in his and weaves through the crowd until we enter the kitchen.

I’d worried about feeling out of place, especially as I’d pulled on the simple black minidress. The last time I’d made an effort to dress up it went completely unnoticed and wasted on the failed anniversary date. But everything feels different tonight.

Bryce grabs a drink, handing me one as I take a sip from the red plastic cup. Dylan looks to the cup in my hand as Bryce offers him an identical one.

Shaking his head no, Dylan resumes studying the partygoers as Bryce shrugs, keeping a drink in each hand. He takes alternating drinks from each cup as he shoves through the mass of people, dancing along with the thumping music until he’s swallowed up by the crowd. If we were here to actually party, Bryce would definitely make it a worthwhile experience.

Dylan is more intense than normal, which is understandable considering why we’re here and our rather heated conversation on the drive over. I don’t care how much money he has; I am paying him back. Every time I bring it up, he instantly shuts me down, saying he doesn’t give a damn about the money. But I do. And I don’t like the anxious tension oozing from him. I’m used to confident Dylan, sexy Dylan, pain in the ass Dylan, and even overbearing prick Dylan. Nervous Dylan, that one is the most unsettling of them all.

Downing the rest of the beer, I set the cup on the counter then rest my hands on his chest. Standing on tippy toes, I plant a passionate kiss on him. Dylan responds with clear approval as he deepens the kiss, encircling me in his arms. Before Dylan, I’d loathed witnessing PDA no matter where or when; I found it nauseating. Now, it’s thrilling to experience him, enjoy him in the middle of a crowd. I couldn’t care less if they stood around gawking or left because they were uncomfortable.

Dylan shifts slightly back, stroking his thumb across my cheek. He plants a soft peck on my lips, grabs my hand, and leads me to another room in the crowded frat house. Thankfully, the room isn’t as crammed, so we’re able to find a spot against the wall to stand and people watch. There aren’t many people that I recognize, but I continue scanning the crowd. I’m not sure what Dylan wants to find, but the sooner he finds it the sooner we can get out of here.

“I’m gonna grab another beer,” I say as I attempt to step away.

Motioning for me to stay put, he hurries through the crowd returning less than a minute later with a red cup in hand. Passing it to me, he continues scanning the crowd. I sip the beer, knowing I’m a lightweight because I hardly ever drink. I really don’t need my inhibitions to be loosened any further around Dylan because I’m already putty in his hands. Squeezing my thighs together, I attempt to calm the desire that rises in me as I think about him. He loops an arm around me, pulling me against him, my back resting against his chest as he leans against the wall.

Leaning forward, Dylan asks if I’m doing all right. I lie and tell him yes but the only thing I want is to leave the party, forget everything going on, and climb into bed with him.

My lusty thoughts are interrupted when I hear Jett holler my name. He waves at me as he approaches, and Dylan’s arm tightens around me causing my ass to press snuggly against him.

Jett has a big smile pointed in my direction as he asks if I’m enjoying the party. I say yes, not wanting to admit to my friend I’d rather skip the party, go home, and have sex. The latter is definitely a new and extremely exciting addition to the list.

“You need another drink?” Jett asks, eyeing the half-filled cup in my hand.

“No, she’s good,” Dylan says as Jett gives him a frustrated look.

“You’re off the clock,” I joke in an attempt to lighten the tension between the two of them, but it doesn’t work.

Smiling, Jett walks away as he says, “I’ll see you later, Sadie.”

We stand there for a few more minutes before I spot Bryce strolling into the room. One of his fists no longer contains a drink but rather the hand of a brunette who I don’t recognize. Bryce spins her around, twirling her in a circle as he dances along. Less than two minutes later, Bryce has abandoned his brunette dance partner in favor of dancing on the makeshift stage in the corner of the room. If this is Bryce undercover, then he’s putting on a hell of a show, and his method does not involve flying under the radar.

The brunette joins him on stage, dancing along to the beat of the music as Bryce gives us a wink.