“By yourself?” Clay growled.
I forced my eyes back to his. “Yes.”
“And then—”
“I don’t know,” I said, the guilt and shame eating at me. “I don’t know what happened.”
“But there are pictures of you coming out of the fraternity house in the morning.”
I smiled, but it was without any humor. My face felt tight, my lips stiff. I wanted to leave, to run and never stop. But Cassidy, a teenage girl who’d come to tonight’s event in a much younger girl’s dress with barely enough hair on her head to not be considered bald, stood up and told me to live.
I pressed my shaking palm tighter to Clay’s, drawing strength from his touch. I pushed my shoulders back and met his troubled gaze.
“I walked out of Steve’s bedroom. Once I found my dress and underwear.”
Clay’s curse was vicious but low.
The song ended. One I hadn’t even heard. Hayden appeared next to me and offered his hand. “The perfect song to dance to with my surfing mate.” He winked at me, then turned to Clay. “Smile. The media has had you two engaged and broken up in the last ten minutes.”
Clay patted Hayden’s shoulder before he bent down and kissed my cheek. Just a social touch, but I gasped, my body tingling with his proximity. Even though I knew spending time with him would mean more media, more attention.
“We’ll finish our conversation soon,” he whispered into my ear. “That’s a promise.”
He walked over to Cassidy, playfully shoving Colten out of the way.
“Your mum was worried you were upset, and Asher’s stuck talking to some executive director of a treatment facility,” Hayden said. “So I get to play knight-errant. I make quite a dashing one, eh?”
I nodded, my mind still on the conversation I’d had with Clay.
“Asher and I talked to Pete while you danced with his son.”
I moaned. Hayden chuckled, flashing that dimple Aunt Briar liked to run her finger over. “None of that now. He’s a musician. We’re musicians.”
“And you were talking licks and rhythm all night,” I said. Hayden spun me before bringing me back into the circle of his arms.
“You’re a bloody good dancer, Abbi. This is way easier than dancing with Briar. She tries to lead.”
I tried to stifle a laugh and ended up snorting. “Oh my god. She does, too.”
“Took one helluva bloke to handle that lady. Fair dinkum.”
“It’s a good thing Americans don’t actually understand half of what you say, Hayden. I have a feeling you’re insulting us.”
He grinned again. “Never your gorgeous aunt, love. Nor the rest of your family. So. Pete. He says Clay’s got his head on straight, for all that he’s a hormonal male.” Hayden spun me in a circle before completing a serious of complex footwork. I followed effortlessly, relishing the opportunity to show off twelve years of lessons.
“Don’t all men have raging hormones?” I asked, slightly out of breath.
“Too right.” His gaze was stern. “And don’t you forget it.”
Hayden spun me around the dance floor a few more times before I partnered with Asher again, then with Mason. By the time I’d finished my dances, Clay and his family were gone. I tried not to feel disappointment, the slick slide of worry at what I’d admitted, but failed.
“He left you this,” Mom said, handing me a folded napkin. “He and I talked for a little while. I like him a lot, Abbi.”
So did I. That was the problem.
Abbi—
Cassidy was tired, so we slipped out early.
I enjoyed our dance.
We should do it again sometime. Soon.
I’ll be in touch. I have a promise to keep.
Clay
“You look dreamy,” Mom said.
I glanced up at her, noting the hope in her eyes.
“He’s nice, Mom. But we’re not dating.”
“The way you looked at him,” she said, her voice soft. “I haven’t seen that look in too long.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Just let yourself feel, Abbi.”
I wanted to. I wanted the rush of falling in love. I wanted the romance with long kisses and moonlit talks. I wanted . . . what I couldn’t have. Not yet anyway. Not until I cleared up the mess that was my life. Prying open my fist, I smoothed the napkin then folded it back and slid it into my small, beaded purse.
Mom sighed. My attempt to protect her from disappointment had failed.
13
Clay
I’d tossed and turned most of the night, much to my frustration. Finishing my conversation with Abbi, holding her close to my body, took precedence.
“Hey, Clay.” That voice was like nails on a chalkboard. But worse.
It was my fault. I’d come to the campus coffee shop, hoping the walk would help me wake up. It didn’t, but now I had to deal with the fallout.
“Bethany.”
“Your picture’s in the paper.”
I didn’t say anything because there was nothing to say, really. The charity gala was big news all across the state, but also nationally and internationally, thanks to the presence of my dad, Asher, Hayden and a few others, and Briar’s press connections.
“I’ve never seen you in a suit before.”
And she never would in person if I had my way.
“Was that girl your date?”
My brow furled as I tried to suss out what she was asking me. The only girl I was with last night was my sister.
“Must not have been too memorable,” Bethany said. A small, smile turned up her lips. “Did your family make you dance with her?”
Anger bit into my throat, my frown getting fiercer. They had. All of them, but I wasn’t going to tell Bethany that. Point of fact, I’d enjoyed my time with Abbi.
“I mean, I know her stepdad’s famous and all, but really, she’s not even that pretty. You could do so much better. With a nice girl.”
My anger, which had abated slightly as Bethany continued to talk, slammed back into my chest.
“You mean my very good friend Abbi? We’ve had this conversation, Bethany. I like spending time with her. She’s amazing.”
“Thanks.” Abbi’s hand cupped my shoulder, and I reached up to squeeze her fingers. Bethany’s eyes stayed there, burning, at our entwined hands.
“You’re not bad yourself,” Abbi said, humor lacing her voice.
“You should have told me you were coming here today,” I said, tipping my chin back so I could see her better. “I would have bought you a mocha. I do have a promise to keep.”
Abbi was dressed in a flowing linen skirt and a dark jean jacket. Her hair was pulled into a thick braid that trailed over her shoulder, the end dangling saucily a couple of inches above her right breast.
She looked good. Casual and comfortable. I wished I could add well-loved to my growing list of adjectives.
The idea of anyone else touching her, as she’d inferred last night, made my hand tighten around her fingers enough for her to wince. I let go, running my palm up and down her hand to ease some of the sting.
“You ready?” I asked her.
She cocked an eyebrow, her gaze darting to Bethany. I stood and pulled her closer to my side, reveling in her warm curves and the heady herbal scent of her hair.
“We can work through our thing,” I continued, eyes begging.
“That’s why I stopped by,” she answered. “To see if now was a good time.”
I gathered my papers, cramming them back into my binder. I cringed, knowing I’d have to rewrite my notes now that they were a wrinkled mess. Sucked to be so meticulous about my work, but I wasn’t changing now.
I shouldered my bag and reslung an arm around Abbi’s shoulders. She stiffened, her back bowing at my touch before she relaxed. I glanced down at her but her face was turned in profile, her eyes downcast.
“See you, Bethany,” I said, pulling Abbi toward the exit.
I pulled Abbi closer, giving her a proper hug. “Thank you for coming over. We’re totally even on the rescuing now.”
“I don’t think so,” Abbi said. She laughed but it was strained. Because I was holding her? No, she melted closer as we walked. “That girl wasn’t going to hurt you, just undress you with her eyes.”
“That was more than enough,” I shuddered. “I need another shower.”
She peeked over her shoulder. “She’s still looking at us. Like she wants to kill me.”
“Whatcha got there?”
“Green tea,” Abbi said.
“You don’t like chocolate?”
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Not in coffee.”
Interesting. I’d assumed, like Jenna and Nessa, she liked mochas. Yet another quirk of Abbi’s personality. I glanced around the gray-washed late morning. It was Sunday, so few students were out yet.
“Where to?”
Abbi shrugged. “I was going to the library, but I needed some caffeine first. They didn’t have any tea at the student center.”
“Not much in the way of caffeine in there,” I teased.
“There’s enough.” Abbi glanced behind her shoulder. “She’s following us. Has she always been like this?” Abbi asked, tilting her head back.
I stopped in the middle of the empty sidewalk and ran my thumb along the smooth, soft curve of her cheek. I leaned in closer, wanting more of Abbi.
“For the last year or so. Before that, she was pretty focused on Dane.”
“That’s Nessa’s boyfriend?”
I nodded. I waited until Bethany walked around us, shoulders hunched and arms wrapped around her waist. The look she shot Abbi was vicious. Instinctively, I stepped closer, protecting Abbi with my bulk. I kept my eyes trained on Bethany’s slight figure until she disappeared through a set of doors.
“She’s gone,” I said. “I watched her walk toward the fashion building.”
“What’s her deal?” Abbi asked before she took a sip of her drink. She winced. “Hot,” she murmured.
I chuckled. “Bethany’s actually a fifth-year senior. A year older than me. She took off a semester a year ago. Some people said she had a nervous breakdown when Dane refused to hook up with her again. He was dating Nes, and we all know that’s got the potential to go somewhere good. Even Dane will tell you Bethany was a mistake. One I’m not willing to make.”
“She really likes you. She’s more than ready to defend your honor.”
Abbi smirked but I could see the vulnerability there behind the grin.
I pulled her in closer, unable to resist the urge of brushing a kiss next to her ear. Heat zinged from my lips straight down to my groin. “I heard about your run-in with her. I won’t let that happen again.”
“It’s just something I’ll have to deal with.”
“No. I’ll deal with it,” I said. “I like you. I want to spend time with you. I can’t say the same about Bethany.”
She glanced up at me from under her lashes, a tiny smile tugging at her lips.
“I’m glad to hear that. Because, you know, according to the Seattle Times, we’re the newest ‘it’ couple. If that pronouncement had been made with anyone other than you, I’d be hyperventilating in my bathroom. But, you, Clay, you’re a charmer who makes me dance like a professional and forget my plans to keep my mouth shut and stay far away from anyone’s camera lens.”
“You’re perfect, Abbi. Don’t let anyone tell you different.” The words were ones I’d said to Cassidy more than once, but I knew with Abbi they meant more. Betrayed, hurting, scared—somehow Abbi was still the most amazing woman I’d ever seen.
“Let’s talk.”
She narrowed her eyes. “About what?”
“You. Us. Our it-ness. How we want to play that. Mainly, why you’re so sad and hurt.”
“Clay, I—I told you more than I’ve told anyone else. And I’m just not ready to bare my soul.”
“I would never ask that of you, Abbi. Just tell me . . . were you aware those pictures were being taken?”
She’d glanced away, which gave me a better view of her neck and the pulse beating there. “No,” she said, her voice stronger than a whisper but still too quiet.
“And did you choose to go with those guys? The ones in the shot with you on the bed?”
Her throat worked as she swallowed down some emotion. Eventually, she shook her head just a little bit.
“Don’t you see, Abbi? They stole your ability to trust. Not just others but yourself. Your judgment.”
She stood frozen, unable to confirm or deny anything further, but her eyes . . . Those big, blue eyes were shattered. And damn me if I wasn’t a sucker for needy females.
I pressed a kiss to her temple but pulled back quickly, needing to distance myself from her soft, fragrant hair. Even though my touch was platonic, my dick was more interested in continuing this in a not-so-friendly fashion. Or an overly friendly fashion. It wasn’t picky.
“Mason told me I better play nice with you.”
“He’s become very protective,” she murmured. A frown wedged its way across her smooth brow. “Do you think he knows about the pictures of me?”
Much as I didn’t want to be the one to tell her, I nodded. She swallowed, her eyes dropping as she turned her face from mine.
“So. Our awesome new relationship,” I said with a wink.
“I don’t expect anything from you.”
Her soft voice, the unhesitating way she said it, pissed me off. She should expect something from me.
“Too bad,” I said, keeping my tone cheery though I wasn’t sure what the hell I was doing. I didn’t want a relationship, any relationship, but especially with a woman who’d spent more time in the gossip rags this past year than I had. Not the direction I wanted to send my band, but there was no way I was letting Abbi fight this fight alone. “I danced with you not once but twice and now we’re an item. So. Let’s go hang out.”
I slung my arm back over her shoulders, pressing a quick peck to her opened mouth. Much as I wanted to deepen the kiss, to feel how soft she was, how sweet she tasted, I wouldn’t. Not with what Abbi and Mason had told me last night.
I’d been wrong to judge her before knowing her, and it pissed me off that I had. More, that I’d been so wrong.
I ignored the looks we got from the people we passed, doing my best to keep Abbi laughing at my stories about Kai and Dane. No, being friends with Abbi wouldn’t be easy.
I wanted her. Bad. The longer I spent in her company, the more my need grew. But, right now, she needed a friend and a protector. And I’d let myself be elected both.
14
Abbi
“So we have a problem,” Nessa said as she entered my room the next morning.
I’d already become used to her comings and goings in the past couple of weeks, and I was beyond glad to have someone popping into my life again. She was like my own personal Kramer, barging in without bothering to knock.
Her droll humor was its own kind of charming, and I loved her insights into the other students on campus. But Nessa wasn’t smiling at the moment. Her shoulders were back, her neck tense and her mouth set in a flat, determined line.
I stuffed my last book into my messenger bag. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you stay with Dane last night? Did he roll on you in your sleep?”
Nessa threw herself onto my bed. “I did. That’s why I know we have a problem. But don’t worry. Jenna and I have already started sorting it out.”
Dread bubbled up in my chest. From the look she was throwing my way, half pity half anger, I knew I was the problem.
“Clay walked me back here from the coffee shop, and I didn’t even leave my dorm room yesterday afternoon. What could I have possibly done?”
“You didn’t do anything. Bethany did.” Nessa’s mouth twisted as if she’d stepped in a steaming pile of dog shit. “She’s the epitome of mean girl
. It’s uber concentrated because she’s so small.”
“She talked about me, didn’t she?”
“Oh, yeah. She’s run her mouth all over campus.”
“I knew seeing Clay yesterday was a bad idea. All he did was walk me back here. I only went over to talk to him in the first place because he looked so unhappy.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Abbi.”
“What, exactly, did Bethany do?”
“Remember Charles and Neal? They didn’t like you turning them down. So Bethany gave them photos of you.”
The reverberations in my head hurt. I sank back to my bed. “The ones already out there?” I asked.
Nessa shook her head. “New ones.”
“Worse ones?”
Nessa took a deep breath. “There are two of them. You’re topless and sandwiched between two guys, both of whom are minimally clothed. Before you ask, it’s definitely you.”
I pressed my finger to my temple, willing some memory from that night to bubble up. Nothing. But I had seen those photos. They’d been in the folder Sally gave me. Along with a few worse ones. Ones I really didn’t want leaked. I blinked back the burning sensation. I would not cry.
“I don’t . . . I didn’t. It’s all over campus?” I whispered.
“Something like that. But, like I said, Jenna and I have you covered.”
“You can’t fix this for me, Nessa.” I bit the skin next to my thumbnail.
“I can’t, true. But I can make it safer and easier for you to move around campus. I’m walking you to breakfast and your first class with Jenna. She should be here in a minute.”
“Right here, yo.”
Jenna slammed into the room wearing a pair of skinny jeans, Chuck Taylors and a gray hoodie. Her hair was in a high ponytail, showing off her pearl earrings. How she could pull that look off was beyond me. Jenna poked Nessa with her finger and then sat on the edge of my bed.
“You should’ve waited for me.” Jenna pouted.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said. “I don’t want to drag you down into my mess.”
Seattle Sound Series, The Collection: Books One to Five Page 83
