“So? Road trip with Mr. Hottie? Girl, I am so jealous!” Amanda lets out a high-pitched squeal.

I lay back on my bed, sighing hard into the phone.

“Nothing to be jealous of. We didn’t really talk much. I’ve learned that he isn’t much into that.”

“Well, still. I would be making a fool out of myself every day if I had to live with him! He is so hot, Ave’s! So hot...I have no idea how you do it.”

My best friend Amanda is right. I also have no idea how I do it.

Try living and breathing every day around the hottest male specimen ever to have been made. It’s pretty damn impossible to think straight when I’m around him, let alone keep my mind out of the gutter.

Eric Wayne is just too hot for his own good. Add into that, that he is a really great guy?

Makes him damn near impossible to resist.

Not to mention, last weekend when we were together for the entire day?

Well, for a fleeting second, I actually felt like he liked me...as in, liked me.

Every once in a while, that hot as sin gaze of his would land on me, and I thought that I felt something. That I saw something in his eyes, that looked an awful lot like want. But then just as fast as it would come?

It was gone again.

I would be lying if I said that I haven’t been daydreaming pretty much constantly since that day...remembering the way it felt to have his arm wrapped around me, the way his breath felt against my skin when he would whisper into my ear...or how incredibly sexy it was when he said my name.

But that’s all that it is anymore...a daydream.

Since that day last weekend?

We are right back to where we were before.

Him, mostly hiding out in his room and avoiding me at all costs, and me, trying to act as if the man doesn’t make my heart beat out of my chest.

It pretty much sucks.

The only time that we’ve talked aside from at the dinner table, was a couple of days ago when I unknowingly ran into him at the gym.

He had smirked in my direction and asked me if I was having fun yet...

I had rolled my eyes of course, and then just like that, he turned his attention back to his workout, and I was left there to stare at him and watch all of that sexy sweat roll down that irresistible body.

Sexy sweat. Yeah...I actually just said that.

As if there is such a thing...

Except, when Eric is involved?

Damn near anything he does is sexy.

“I heard people talking, and, sounds like he is going to be at this party tonight,” Amanda says, before groaning. “You should really be a doll and at least point him in my direction.”

“What? How would I even do that? Like I said, he barely speaks to me.”

“Right, but, doesn’t that make him just a little bit sexier? I mean, he totally has that whole dark and mysterious thing going on. It’s so freaking hot.”

“I don’t know,” I mumble through the phone. “I think you’re going to be on your own. We don’t really talk like that.”

And, ok. Let’s be honest. The thought of my best friend hooking up with him?

Well, it evokes a whole lot of jealousy from me...even though I have no right in the world to feel that way.

After all, he isn’t mine, nor does he want me like that.

We’re just friends...sort of.

“Ugh.” I can actually feel her rolling her eyes through the phone.

“Well, you have a better chance at talking to him than I do. So, if you get the opportunity? Help a sister out.”

“I really don’t know if we should even be going to this party tonight. I mean, it’s two towns away. Are we even going to know anybody there?”

“Tommy is going...”

“Tommy Conrad? Your hump buddy?” I giggle, unable to help myself. I can actually feel her flipping me off through the phone.

“Shut your lips. He’s just a friend.”

“Yeah. Right. You little slut.” I giggle again. “Look at you, trying to hook up with Tommy and Eric. I can’t even believe we’re friends.”

**

“EXACTLY HOW MUCH HAVE you had to drink?” Amanda asks me, making me giggle.

Way too much.

And if I hadn’t realized it before? My hysterical laughter from that one little question would certainly let me know that I’m wasted.

“Ah...”

“You’re cut off.” She rolls her eyes before snatching up my cup. “I can’t even believe you. I walk away from a split second and I come back...”

“It was longer than a second.” I begin laughing hysterically again. “Unless Tommy Conrad is just a two-second man.”

She cuts her eyes at me, before shaking her head.

“Shut up with that.” She glances behind us, probably trying to see if anyone overheard me. “I do not need people to know about us.”

“Oh, honey.” I snort, before grabbing my drink back. “Everybody knows that you guys are frenzies. With benzies.” I burst into another fit of laughter and she nearly growls.

“I don’t know why we’re even friends.” She mutters before tugging my arm along, trailing me through the party.

Someone hands me a beer and I take it, gladly, especially since these kinds of parties aren’t really my thing.

In order to make it through the night, I pretty much have to get drunk.

Except, I’m a fairly cheap drunk, so...I may be kissing the porcelain god tonight when we get back to Amanda’s house.

“It’d be better if your hunky roommate was here.” She turns to look at me before she sighs disgustedly at me and tries to grab the beer out of my hands. I quickly down it before letting her grab the empty can.

“You have got to be kidding me.” She mutters, cutting her eyes at me. “First, your guy isn’t here. Second, I’m forced to hook up with Tommy Conrad and third. You’re drunk.”

“Maybe you should get drunk too. It would be more fun.”

“I have to drive us home.”

“Party pooper.”

“Oh. Oh my god.” Amanda immediately drops my wrist like it’s hot, and I nearly fall over, but two arms reach out, grabbing me from behind.

I know the feeling of those arms...

And of course, that delicious scent...

“Ave’s?” I spin around, now seeing the reason for Amanda’s sudden mood change.

“Oh. Eric. Hey.” I swallow hard before taking a step back, steadying myself out of his grasp. “I didn’t realize that you would be here.”

“I didn’t realize that you would be here. Exactly why are you here?”

“Well that’s rude.” I try to roll my eyes, but fail miserably. I then proceed to burst out into another fit of hysterical laughter.

Good lord, I am a freaking mess right now.

“I wasn’t trying to be rude. It’s just... I didn’t peg you for a party girl.”

“Meh.” I shrug, before wobbling slightly on my feet. “I have my moments.”

“I’m sorry, I think my friend has lost all of her manners.” Amanda reaches forward, grabbing onto Eric’s hand before swinging her hair over her shoulder.

“I’m Amanda.”

“Amanda. I’ve seen you around school, but I don’t think that we’ve ever been formally introduced.” He smiles wide before squeezing her hand and flashing her a smile. “Very nice to meet you.”

I have no idea why, but the second that I see them smiling at each other? Red hot jealousy courses through my veins.

I mean, ok.

I have zero claims on the guy, and in all honesty? Amanda is probably way more his type. She’s gorgeous, outgoing...and well.

She likes to hook up.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, because there isn’t.

But I’ve never really been that person.

It’s not my personality, and well...I’m also the coach’s daughter. Not exactly the girl that any guy wants to mess around with.

I wonder for just a moment if that is the reason why Eric isn’t interested in me. But the thought leaves just as quickly.

I’m sure it has more to do with the fact that I’m just not his type.

I mean, have you seen the guy? I’m sure he only dates ten’s.

I’m barely a six on my very best day.

“Excuse me.” I nod at the two of them, before stumbling backwards and turning, trying to make my way through the party.

“Hey gorgeous.” My elbow is grabbed, and I’m spun around. I blink hard, trying to steady myself but failing miserably.

I nearly fall on top of the guy standing in front of me.

“Shit. I’m sorry. I’m not usually so unsteady.”

“It’s fine, baby doll.” He smiles down at me before pulling me in closer.

“I’ll help you stand up.”

“I’m really ok...” I start to pull back and everything spins again.

“You know what? I think that I need some fresh air.”

He wraps his arm tightly around me, before leading me towards the door.

We step out onto the patio, and I breathe in deep, trying to stop the spinning in my head.

“Easy, baby. Slow steps.” He murmurs, his face way too close to mine.

“Ah, ok.”

He leads me down the steps, basically holding me up at this point.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think we exchanged names?” I glance up to him.

“I’m Lance.” He smiles at me before beginning to back me up, towards the wall of the deck.

“Lance...I’m Avery. You know what? I think that I’m feeling better now. I’m ready to go back inside.”

“Why the rush, baby? It’s kind of nice out here. Just you...and me. No one around to bother us?”

He leans in close to me, and alarm bells ring inside of my head.

“Lance? What are you doing?”

His grip around me tightens, and suddenly his body presses hard against mine. His mouth moves to my neck, and he begins to drool all over me as he plasters sloppy kisses on my skin.

I press my hands against his chest, and try to shove him, but he just smiles wickedly at me before grabbing my wrists and holding them against the wall.

“Mmm. You like to play rough, huh?” His grip tightens on my wrist as he presses his groin into me hard.

“So do I.”

“No! I don’t want to play rough. I just want you to stop.” I try to squirm out of his grasp but its seriously no use.

“Keep fighting, baby. That turns me on even more.” His voice sound way more sinister than it originally did, and I am now in full blown panic mode.

“Lance, no.” I turn my face, before trying like hell to break free.

“Lance, please stop.”

He bites my skin, before moving both of my wrists into his one hand before he uses the other to begin tugging at my clothing.

I’m left with no other choice. I lift my knee hard, connecting right where I aim, and my wrists are instantly dropped and Lance hit’s all fours.

“Holy fuck! You bitch! You stupid bitch!”

I spin, ready to run like hell away from him, when I again, run smack into a wall of man.

I about knock backwards onto my ass, when Eric reaches out, steadying me, before turning a murderous look towards Lance.

“Baskett?” He barks, his eyes moving between us before they finally land on mine. I don’t even realize that I’m crying until he reaches out and wipes away my tears.

“You motherfucker.”

He reaches down, grabbing a hold of Lance’s neck, lifting him up with one hand.

He squeals like the little bitch that he is, before Eric slams him into the house.

“What is your fucking problem, man?” Lance squeaks, still pressed against the house.

“You. What in the fuck did he do to you, Ave’s? Did he hurt you?”

“I...” I glance down at my wrists, already seeing bruises forming from where he was trying to hold me down.

“I don’t think so. I think that I’m ok. I kept telling him no...”

That apparently is all that Eric needed to hear. Because in the neck second, Lance is dropped from Eric’s grasp, and before his feet even thud on the ground, Eric’s fist connects with his face, sending him flying back into the house.

“Oh my god. Eric! Stop!” I screech, running forward and grab ahold of his arm as he reaches back again.

“He doesn’t deserve for me to stop.” He reaches for him again, but I throw myself into his arms instead.

“Eric.” I reach up, cupping his face. “Stop. Please. You could get into so much trouble. You could lose your future. Stop.”

His breathing is harsh and ragged against me. His chest heaves with the force and his eyes are still wild when he finally makes eye contact with me.

“I...”

I reach up, cupping his face in my hand. “It’s ok. I’m ok. He didn’t...it didn’t get there.”

I’m trying not only to soothe him, but also myself.

Because good freaking Lord...the possibilities of what could have happened terrify me.

“You’re ok.” He finally repeats, before taking another ragged breath. “This fucker...”

“Got what he deserved. Now let’s get out of here.”

Eric releases me, before sinking down to his knees. “I’m gonna walk away now, you fucking cocksucker. But if you ever...and I mean fucking ever even look at Avery again? Me and you are going to have a problem. And if you try this shit with any other female again? I’ll be coming back for you. You can fucking bet on it.”

**