AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tyler’s a dark knight all in black. His dress shirt is rolled at the sleeves, revealing curls of ink that trace one arm like venom taking over hisbloodstream.
A wave of desire washes over me before I can stop it. Electricity buzzes through me—my lips, my fingers, my bare shoulders and breasts under the backless silver halter top I bought thisafternoon.
Dammit, I want to know what happened when he came to NewYork.
I want to know what he’s thinking rightnow.
Stopwondering.
I toss back the drink. The sweetness and alcohol burn down my throat, settling in my stomach with a not unpleasantbuzz.
The next second, Elle’s between us, an expression of shock on herface.
“Jake isn’t coming. He got kicked out of school today. He was selling uppers from his dormroom.”
The comfortable warmth of the booze is overtaken by disbelief. “It’s the first week of school.” I look between Elle andBeck.
Beck shrugs. “Sometimes you want something so bad you’ll give up who you are to getit.”
My chest feelshollow.
Yes, Jake fucked up, and I won’t do that, but you can be on top one moment and back on the bottom thenext.
“You know what time it is, Manatee?” Beck proclaims, and I try to refocus on him. “It’s dancingtime.”
“I’ll be right there. Think I need that second drink afterall.”
I watch him and Elle head toward thefloor.
When I reach for the second shot, fingers close around mywrist.
I jerk my head up to see Tyler looming over me, holding a plastic cup of what looks likewater.
“I don’t want it,” Isay.
“What do youwant?”
I lift my chin, suddenly angry. “I want people to stop leaving. Everyoneleaves.”
I pry the shot from his hand and down it before taking off toward the dancefloor.
I’d thought once I got to Vanier the rest would be easy. None of it’seasy.
Once I find my friends, I link hands with Elle and Beck, and the three of usdance.
I focus on themusic.
That’s what I’ve always wanted—to lose myself in its power, to be part ofit.
Elle splits off to dance with a guy from school, and Beck grins atme.
I move closer. My hand finds his shoulder, and hesmiles.
“This is a good birthday, Manatee. But I’m supposed to be helping you, not the other wayaround.”
My chest expands. “We’re friends,right?”
He nods. “Forsure.”
