Archer
I’ve been dreading this night, mainly because I know Adrianna will probably dance with other guys to piss me off.
There’s no denying the chemistry between us, especially after we kissed in the pool on the rooftop of that bar. She was into it as she pulled me closer, kissing me back like her life depended on it.
And then she broke away and fled the scene as if nothing happened, leaving me with blue balls.
“Hey, are you ready?” Bly asks, clapping me on the shoulder. His eyes roam down my suit. “Looking very sharp tonight. Trying to impress someone?”
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t be an asshole, Bly.”
He chuckles. “Still having trouble with Vasquez?”
“I’ll get her to break, believe me.”
Bly’s brow arches. “That’s the kind of thing I’d say, not you.”
I shrug. “Adrianna drives me crazy.”
“Careful with girls like that. It’s best to steer clear of any girl that you want that badly.”
Bly sounds like he’s speaking from experience, but I doubt it. In the years I’ve known him, he’s never once had a girlfriend. At least, not that I’ve known of. I’m not entirely sure he’s capable of having a normal relationship.
“I know what I’m doing,” I say, as I turn around to grab my flask off the counter. “Hope you came prepared.” I hold the flask up.
He arches a brow and then reaches into his inside jacket pocket for his. “Of course. They don’t serve hard enough alcohol at this thing for me.”
I nod, as all that is on offer is beer and watered down wine and beer, as well as a very weak punch. Oak reckons allowing alcohol to be consumed actually makes the students less likely to get drunk.
“Let’s go then.” I clap him on the shoulder as I slip my flask into my pocket.
The other reason I’ve been dreading this night is that it marks the last night before winter break. Tomorrow she’ll leave for Mexico, and I’ll stay here, wishing I could be close to her.
No matter how much I’d love to have a break in Mexico, I don’t want my brains blown out for trying to get in her pants. Her family is about as crazy as they come, which isn’t hard to believe considering how tough Adrianna is.
We walk through the corridors, which are buzzing with students rushing toward the grand hall in excitement.
It’s the same every year. The three older years get to go to the winter formal, and the main excitement isn’t for the dance, but the after party down at the old ruins.
Oak isn’t aware of it, but I am. I’ve been down there a few times with seniors I’ve been sleeping with.
This year, however, I don’t have a senior to go with.
“Keep your wits about you,” Bly says, as we walk into the hall. “Anyone spiking the punch will get a royal beating.”
I shake my head. “I bet you can’t wait for that.”
He grins at me. And it’s entirely evil. “No, I can’t.”
I roll my eyes. “Sometimes I wonder why we’re even friends.”
His eyes narrow. “Believe me, the feeling is entirely mutual.”
“Whatever,” I say, walking over to the far side where I spot Sophia. “I’m going to mingle.”
Bly just grunts in response and reaches into his jacket pocket for his flask. As always, he can’t keep off the alcohol.
“Hey Sophia, how’s it going?” I ask.
Her cheeks blush pink as she meets my gaze. “Okay, at the moment. No incidents to report.”
I nod. “No one had a fight yet, then?”
She shakes her head. “No, but it’s inevitable at some point. I don’t think I’ve chaperoned one of these dances where there hasn’t been a fight.”
“No, I think you might be right. Have you seen Oak around?”
Her brow furrows. “Now you mention it, no. That’s odd, isn’t it?”
I shrug. “He might be running a little late. After all, half the students aren’t even here yet. Shall I grab up some drinks?” I notice she’s not got one yet.
“That would be great, thank you.”
“What’s your poison?”
“I’ll have a white wine.”
“Okay, coming right up.” I spin around and march toward the bar, determined not to sit around moping over Adrianna.
I don’t know if she’s coming here with a date or not, but if she is, then blood might be spilt tonight.
Adrianna belongs to me this year, even if she’s resisting it at the moment.
After that kiss, I’m confident that she finds me attractive.
“Hey, Arch. What can I get you?” David, the games keeper, asks.
“One beer and one white wine, please.”
He nods and pours the crappy wine and beer into paper cups. “There you go.”
I take the cups. “Thanks.”