Bad Influence

by Charleigh Rose

  “I want some fuckin’ fries!” one of the girl slurs. Then, the group of seven hurls their orders at me all at once. Everyone except Jesse. Finally, I look up from my order pad to meet his eyes.

  “Allie Girl.” He smiles, but it’s not his usual, carefree smile that I remember. This one doesn’t quite reach his eyes. But then I remind myself that I don’t care.

  “It’s Allison,” I correct. “What do you want?” I aim for unaffected and end up coming off snappy instead.

  “This, for starters.” He plucks the sucker out of my mouth before popping it into his own. My eyes widen, and he leans back against the booth with a raised brow, daring me to react, so naturally, I do the exact opposite, even though his demeanor throws me off.

  “How’s Halston?” a guy asks, and I realize it’s Sullivan—or Sully. He and Halston ended up hooking up that night, which served as the perfect diversion to distract her from questioning me about what happened with Jesse. I never went back to the party. I put on my headphones and fell asleep to the sound of Jimmy Eat World in my ears until Halston waltzed in at four A.M., looking freshly fucked and giddy as hell about it.

  “She’s fine. I’ll get these orders in.” I turn without giving them a chance to respond.

  “You know Jess?” Jake asks when I approach. I shake my head.

  “Not really.” I’m definitely not explaining to my boss that I almost hooked up with him, especially since finding out that Lo is his sister. Halston filled me in, but I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. They both have the same thick, unruly, dark hair and hazel eyes, except Jesse’s are more green than brown. Not that I stared deep into his eyes or anything.

  “Want me to take them?” Jake asks, flicking his chin toward Jesse’s table. I glance behind me to catch him staring straight at me, much to the dismay of the drunk yet beautiful girl draping herself across his lap.

  “I got it,” I insist. I refuse to let Jesse know he’s gotten to me in any way. It was probably just another weekend for him. Why should it be any different for me?

  “I’ll just get their drinks then,” Jake insists. I nod, excusing myself to the bathroom, away from Jesse’s probing stare. Once inside, I push the lock in and lean against the door. I catch my reflection, fighting the urge to fluff my hair on his account. My face is free of makeup, save for the red tint of cherry lip balm coating my lips. I tug at my white cotton uniform shirt that hugs my body tighter than I’m used to. I roll my eyes at myself, straighten my shoulders, and head back out into the lion’s den.

  “What are you doing home on a week night?” I hear Jake ask. I pause in the hallway, not yet visible, waiting to hear his answer.

  “He’s back for good,” Sullivan supplies, and their drunken group cheers excitedly.

  What? The thought of him being here permanently sends a jolt of something through me. I don’t know if it’s dread or anticipation. I peek around the corner and Jesse has that fake smirk plastered to his face again.

  “That’s why we’re celebrating,” the girl next to him informs Jake, rubbing at Jesse’s shoulder.

  “Welcome home, man,” Jake says, giving him the man clap slash handshake thing, but Jesse’s eyes betray him. He’s not happy. Why am I the only one seeing this? Or maybe he’s just drunk. That’s probably it.

  I hang back until I hear the sound of plates clanking together and sliding across the expo window that tells me their order is ready. Grabbing a tray, I load it up and head over to Jesse’s table.Once everyone has their food, I look back to Jesse.

  “You sure you don’t want anything?” My voice is unintentionally softer than it was just a minute ago, and his eyebrows pull together, assessing. “The kitchen is about to close,” I add, forcing indifference into my tone.

  As if he senses that I can see through his little charade, he curls a hand around the back of my thigh, his fingers burning a hole through my thin black leggings. “I’m not hungry for food.”

  I scowl, slapping his hand away. “Asshole.”

  “I asked for lemon with my water,” the girl next to him snaps, seemingly upset that Jesse’s attentions have shifted from her to me.

  I huff out a sardonic laugh. I pause, looking at her, but my words are for Jesse. “I’m not interested.”

  I spin around before either one of them can respond and Jake’s already armed with a side plate with a couple of lemon slices, heading in their direction.

  “Does the offer to leave early still stand?”

  “Get out of here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  * * *

  “DID HE SAY ANYTHING ELSE?” Halston asks, wrapping my hair around the thick barrel of a curling iron.

  “He just asked how you were,” I tell her for the third time.

  “And you just said ‘fine’?”

  “What was I supposed to say?” I shrug as she lets a hot curl fall onto my shoulder before scooping up another piece.

  “I don’t know,” she admits. “But something better than that.”

  “What’s up with you guys?”

  She frowns, looking perplexed. “I think I like him.”

  I arch a brow. Halston loves boys, but she doesn’t usually like any of them for more than a couple of seconds. “So, what’s the problem?”

  “He’s texted me a few times wanting to get together.”

  “And?” I hedge.

  “He wanted to do daytime things. He invited me to lunch. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”

  I laugh, rolling my eyes. “I don’t know, maybe date him?”

  “Boys like him don’t date. At least not exclusively.”

  “So, we’re going to this party because?” She runs her fingers through my hair, breaking up the loose waves and shaking them out.

  “Because I’m a glutton for punishment,” she answers matter-of-factly.

  “Same,” I say, standing to inspect myself in the mirror attached to her dresser.

  “Think he’ll be there?” Halston asks, and I know she’s referring to Jesse.

  I shrug. “He lives here now. Anything is possible.” I told her about running into Jesse and Sullivan at Blackbear, which led to me telling her a very watered-down version of the events that took place that night.

  She stands next to me, checking us both out in the mirror. “We look hot,” she announces. “We’re going to go to this frat house, get drunk, have fun, and pretend they don’t exist.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  This party is much bigger than the last one. It’s dark as hell, the only lights coming from the black lights that cast a purple glow around the house.

  “I spy Jell-O shots!” Halston shouts over the music. We make our way toward the kitchen through the neon-painted bodies, and she plucks two glowing blue cups off the counter. I toss one back, the lukewarm consistency wiggling down my throat.

  “Did you know this was a black light party?” I ask Halston. I never seem to know about these parties, but she’s always in the loop.

  “Nope.” She shrugs. “But I’m into it.”

  The sliding glass door leading to the backyard opens, and even in the dark I can tell it’s Jesse walking through it, Sullivan and a pack of hot chicks right behind him.

  “Fuck,” I mutter. Halston, however, has a different reaction. Her eyes light up with mischief as they approach the kitchen. When Jesse notices me, his face splits into a wide smile, his teeth glowing white against the black lights.

  “Miss me, Allie Girl?”

  “It’s Allison. And not even a little.”

  “You wound me.” He clutches his chest dramatically, bringing my attention to the illuminated words written there. Kylie was here is streaked across his skin with an arrow leading down his well-defined abs, past the cut V of his hips, all the way to his crotch.

  “Classy,” I remark, peeling my eyes away.

  “It’s a gift.” He shrugs unapologetically.

  “Hey, Halston.” Sullivan looks her up and down with heat in his gaze.


  “Oh. Hey,” she says nonchalantly, barely sparing him a glance before catching my hand in hers. “I love this song! Let’s dance.”

  I snort out a laugh as she pulls me into the crowd of bodies. She throws her arms around my neck, glancing back toward Sullivan behind me.

  “I thought you wanted to see him.”

  “I’m not going to let him know that,” she shouts close to my ear. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

  Some random guys join us, and Halston leans into the chest of one of them, putting on a show for Sullivan. When I try to spot his reaction, I catch eyes with Jess, and I’m surprised to see him glaring at me. Hard. I feel my brows scrunch together, confused by his reaction, but I shake it off. The friend of the guy Halston’s dancing with moves closer to me, curling his free hand around the small of my back.

  “Nooope.” I laugh, sliding out of his grasp. He’s cute, but I’m not in the mood to be groped by a drunken frat boy tonight. Or ever. He’s persistent, though, and before I know it, he slides in behind me, plastering his front to my back. I can feel his excitement through his jeans and I whirl on him, shoving his shoulders with both hands. The drink in his right hand sloshes over the rim, splashing his shirt with beer.

  “The fuck?” he slurs angrily, holding his arms out, looking down at his torso to assess the damage.

  “No means no.” I smirk. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jesse standing behind him, off to the side. His arms are crossed, jaw clenched. Did he see the whole thing play out?

  “Whatever, you’re fucking ugly anyway.” Someone laughs, and then Halston is next to me, grabbing my arm in silent support. He weighs his options, knowing he has an audience now. “Bitch,” he mutters, turning to leave. As soon as his back is to me, he comes face to face with Jesse who cocks a fist back before sending it straight into his face. Drunk Guy falls backwards into me and takes me down, thanks to the floor that’s slick with alcohol.

  To my horror, the music stops, and the lights turn on. Drunk Guy cups his nose, blood running between his fingers and down his wrist. “What the hell, Shep?!”

  Jesse lunges toward him, grabbing him by his collar with both fists and throwing him off of me before landing another punch. Sullivan appears, pulling Jesse from Drunk Guy.

  “Jesus!” Halston yells, pulling me up from the sticky floor. My skirt and legs are wet, and I lost a boot somewhere.

  “You’re out!” Sullivan shouts, pointing to the door.

  “I didn’t do shit—” Drunk Guy starts, but Jesse goes for him again, and Drunk Guy flinches, thinking better of arguing, and heads for the door.

  Everyone’s eyes are on me now, filled with everything ranging from pity to curiosity. I hear mumblings of who is she? What just happened? Are they together? I feel my cheeks heat, hating the unwanted attention.

  “What the fuck are you looking at?” Jesse shouts, turning in a circle. “It’s a party. Start fucking partying.”

  The music starts back up, the lights are cut, and thankfully, everyone goes about their business when they realize the drama is over. Jesse runs a hand through the hair that’s fallen onto his forehead before bending at the waist to pluck my boot out of the crowd. When he extends his arm in offering, I snatch the boot from his grasp before shoving my foot into it, turning to leave without a word.

  Jesse is hot on my heels. Once I make it to the porch, away from prying eyes, I spin around to face him. “I didn’t need your help,” I snap. I’ve dealt with way worse. If I can handle handsy guys at bars and concert venues, I can easily handle a sloppy schoolboy.

  “Don’t flatter yourself. That wasn’t for you,” he says.

  “Oh, really? You just decided to pick a fight for the fun of it?”

  “I, uh, I’m just gonna…” Halston trails off, wiggling a manicured nail toward the party before slipping back inside.

  “That’s exactly it. I was spoiling for a fight. An opportunity presented itself, so I took it.”

  I take him in, contemplating my next words. He seems different. His hair is longer than it was a few weeks ago. Unkempt. But it’s beyond his appearance. Something inside has changed, too. I just don’t know him well enough to know what that something is.

  “Next time you’re looking for trouble, leave me out of it.”

  * * *

  “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU looking at?” I ask the freshman taking money at the door who witnessed Allie telling me off. He quickly averts his eyes, moving to stand at the edge of the porch at the top of the stairs.

  I feel like a fucking tool watching Allison’s back as she walks away from me. What I said was mostly true. I have been spoiling for a fight, but I do a damn good job of internalizing my shit. Until it comes to her, apparently.

  The minute Daniels laid his hands on her, I knew there’d be trouble. Girls like Allison aren’t here to get laid. I knew by her body language that day in her dorm that casual sex wasn’t something she made a habit of. I stood back and watched as she pushed him away, letting her handle it. She’s not my problem. Not my girl. She reminds me of Lo, the way she carries herself. The way she uses sarcasm as a shield. And when Daniels called her ugly and a bitch to boot, I didn’t think. I just swung.

  Allison wasn’t swooning or preening like a peacock like the other girls would be. She stood there in the bright room with one shoe on, while everyone stared at her like some sort of zoo animal. No, she wasn’t basking in the attention. She was embarrassed. And angry. Very angry. Seemingly at me.

  Probably has something to do with how you parted ways, dumbass.

  I had her tits in my mouth, then I bailed on her, and from the looks of things, she isn’t interested in picking up where we left off. She’s pissed. I get it. But it’s not like I could’ve called to apologize if I wanted to. I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly enough to get her number when my future was being flushed down the shitter.

  I dig into my jeans pocket, pulling out my smokes before lighting one up. I all but quit for lacrosse. Now I can do whatever the hell I want, and fuck, I feel free. Lookie there, another silver lining. I hear my name being yelled, and I turn around to see Kaylee and Kylie impatiently waiting for me, dressed in tight white tank tops and short skirts with neon handprints all over their tight little bodies, and matching pouts on their faces. I take a drag, holding up a finger to let them know I’ll be back in a minute.

  “Five bucks,” I hear the freshman tell someone.

  “Just here to get my girl.”

  I smirk, feeling sorry for the poor bastard who has to rescue his girlfriend, but when I turn to face him, he looks familiar with his lip ring and the plugs in his ears. I narrow my eyes, trying to place him.

  “Sorry, man. Five bucks,” the freshman repeats. Dude works his jaw in annoyance before shoving past him. He stops short when I block the doorway, crossing my arms and blowing the smoke from my cigarette toward him.

  “Problem?” I ask.

  “You,” he accuses, his eyes slanting with recognition. I raise my brows at his tone.

  “Me.” I chuckle, swinging my arms open wide.

  “I’m here for Allie.”

  The smirk drops from my face when it clicks. This is the guy from the bar. The one who touched Allison’s body with the familiarity of someone who knows it intimately.

  “Rules are rules.” I shrug, just to be a dick, flicking my cigarette behind him. The freshman stomps it out for me.

  “You’re either going to go get Allie or you’re going to let me in,” he informs me.

  “And what you’re not going to do is come to my fucki—”

  “Leave him alone, Jesse,” Allison snaps from behind me, cutting me off. I turn to face her. Her cheeks are flushed, eyes hard. A smart-ass retort is on the tip of my tongue, but something in her expression holds me back. She breezes past me, her sweet scent wafting behind her.

  “Thanks for coming, Dylan.” Dylan. Dylan the Douche.

  “You good?” he asks, looking her up and down, as if inspecting her f
or damage.

  “Yeah. Just wet,” she mutters as Dylan ushers her down the steps with his hand on the small of her back.

  “I have that effect on women,” I call out just to piss her off.

  She glares at me over her shoulder, flipping me off as Dylan tightens his grip on her waist.

  “Call me!”

  Dylan opens the passenger door of his old school Dodge Challenger, and Allison slides in before he closes it. I watch her through the window, my hands shoved into my front pockets. A pair of slender hands circle my neck from behind, sliding down my chest, and then Kaylee or Kylie’s lips nibble on my ear. I hold Allie’s stare, the corner of my lip quirking up when I see the frown painting her pretty features. But she can’t look away, and neither can I.

  “Let’s go upstairs,” Kylie, the more aggressive of the two best friends, whispers before scraping her teeth across my earlobe. The Challenger roars to life and I sever our connection, if only to be the one to look away first.

  Fuck it. I was craving someone in Doc Martens and a perpetual attitude, but… “You’ll do.”

  It’s bright. Too fucking bright. Eyes closed, I stumble out of bed, tripping over someone’s high heel on the way to the window, and jerk the curtains shut. Much better. I sit on the edge of the bed in the spare room at Sullivan’s house, propping my elbows on my knees and running my hands through my hair as I piece together the events of last night. After Allison left, I pounded shots, having fun with Kaylee and Kylie before I was too drunk to function. I sent them packing moments before falling into bed and passing the fuck out.

  Head pounding, I slap around on the nightstand, feeling for my lighter and the half-smoked blunt I left there last night. I light it up, letting the smoke fill my lungs and ghost it, holding it as long as I can before a cough sputters out. I lie back, one arm behind my head, the other pinching the blunt to my lips once more, as I watch the rotating blade of the ceiling fan. The familiar buzz makes its way through my body, making me feel warm and heavy, and I’m just about to pass out again when my phone goes off.