AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Really?” She spins around to look at me. “I invited you up for a drink and you said no. I texted you after we talked at Brooklyn and Tyler’s pool the other day and asked if you wanted to go bowling, and you said you were busy. I had to beg you to even come tonight, and the only reason youdidcome was because your dad told you all the Slades needed to go.” She spins back around, not missing a beat to make another bid.
Fuck, maybe she’s right. Have I already become a boring, jaded old man at 31?
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ve been stressed and honestly I’ve miss—”
“Sold to the lady in the black shirt!”
“I won!” Dolly screams with excitement, interrupting what I was about to confess to her: how much I’ve missed her and an invitation to hang out this weekend. She spins around, completely oblivious to anything I was saying, a huge grin on her face as Styles leaps off the stage and runs toward her.
He grabs her around the waist, picking her up and wrapping her legs around his while he spins her, almost knocking me over in the process. I step back, instantly annoyed. I can feel the jealousy tighten my chest as she tosses her hands around his neck and laughs as people around us cheer.
She doesn’t even notice me now. I feel sorry for myself and I hate it. I want to be happy for her—to cheer her on in her excitement—but I let my jealousy ruin it. I kick myself as I storm away from the crowd and stage, tossing my cup in a nearby trash can as I walk toward my truck.
Once again, I’m going to sit back and do nothing while I let the woman of my dreams slip out of my grasp.
“You don’t fuckin’ deserve her. You’re pathetic,” I mutter to myself as I pull my truck out of the parking lot and head home.
5
DAHLIA
“Told you our guys’ night would be commandeered by the women.” Decker nudges Ranger as he takes a seat next to him at the bar.
“Oh, please,” Brooklyn says, playfully smacking his arm as she leans against her husband, Tyler. “You guys have more fun when we’re here and you know it.”
“Debatable. More drama for sure.” Decker laughs as Milly pretends to smack his head.
“Hey, Dolly!” I turn my attention to the right to see Juniper waving at me from a few feet down the bar.
“Hey, girl, thought you’d be back in Boulder for school already?” I walk over and give her a hug.
“I was, but I came back to town for the weekend. It’s my dad’s birthday. I head back to campus tomorrow.”
“You want to come hang out with us?” I thumb over my shoulder toward the group. She looks past me, her eyes scanning and then stopping when they land on Decker. I’ve known for a while that she has a crush on him; it’s pretty obvious and cute.
“Uh, I would, but I’m just hanging out with Katie and Soph one last night.” She points to her friends in a corner booth. “Thanks, though. Hope you guys have fun. Tell Deck I said hi.” She smiles, her eyes drifting back over to Decker as she flips her hair a little before heading over to her friends.
“Hey, Deck, Juny said to tell you ‘hi.’” I wriggle my eyebrows up and down at him.
“Juniper Riley?” Trent asks. “Little young for you, Deck, don’t ya think?”
“Yes,” he says, almost blushing. “She’s got a crush on me.” He shakes his head. “She’s barely 21, so she’s still a kid.”
“She sure doesn’t think she’s a kid.” I laugh.
“She’ll be over me by the end of the semester, so don’t make it a thing, guys.”
I can see he’s uncomfortable, so I change the subject. “Who wants to take me in pool?” I say, looking around to our group. “Ranger?” I poke his side and he jerks away.
“I’m good.”
“Come on,” I tease him, poking him again.
“I said I’m good, Doll.” He grabs my hand to still it, staring at me.
“Okay, fine.” I feel weirdly embarrassed by his tone as our friends all turn to look at me.
“I’llkick your ass,” Decker says cheerfully as he finishes his beer and hops off his stool. I can tell he’s attempting to break the tension, and it works.
