They followed Chase’s black FJ Cruiser back to his house, where the party was waiting. Andrew’s Bronco was warm and smelled wonderful, a combination of musky cologne and leather upholstery. With the stereo thumping alternative rock, she mused, A month ago, I’d never dream of doing this.
Andrew was surprisingly easy to talk to. She was giggling over his last joke when they turned into Rams Gate. Her pulse quickened.
For one moment, she hoped Micah was back, home early from Rome. Swallowing hard, she tried to ignore the pang of longing in her chest.
“This was your old neighborhood, right?” Andrew asked, glancing over.
“Yeah.”
“You grew up by Micah then?”
She nodded. She hated the lump forming in her throat. Why is it when someone even says his name, I about burst into tears? I’m so pathetic.
“When did Chase move here?” she asked, blinking back the moisture.
“Uh, three years ago, I think.” Andrew hesitated, and then glanced over. “So you probably miss Micah, right?”
She stared at him. “Yeah, we were good friends, a long time ago.”
He cocked his head to the side. “That’s not what I heard.”
“What?”
“Rumor is you’re the reason Micah broke up with Megan.” Andrew peeked in her direction, and then turned down Chase’s driveway.
“What? That’s not true,” she sputtered.
“Really? That’s what Megan told Willow, who told Chase, who told… well, you get the idea. Got to love gossip. So you and Micah—”
No wonder Megan and Willow hate me!
“No, Micah and I aren’t anything. Megan lied. Micah told me she broke up with him.” Eden was enraged. Sort of wish it were true though…
“All he said, she said.” Andrew grinned, shutting off the engine.
Eden had to smile back at him; he’d been nothing but nice to her all night. They climbed out of the Bronco and heard Chase calling, “Come on, babe,” over his shoulder as he stepped out of his Cruiser. She didn’t hear Willow’s response, just Chase’s. “Oh come on, Willow, you don’t want to sit outside by yourself.”
They all heard the door slam as Willow got out; she shot daggers at Chase’s back up the driveway. The house was dark, not even an outside porch light on. Eden was anticipating the ‘surprise’ when Andrew grabbed her hand. Distracted by his soft skin touching hers, she hardly noticed Chase open the door and Willow stomp inside.
The lights shot on and voices yelled, “Surprise!”
Eden jumped and Andrew chuckled. “You knew it was coming.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said, reeling that he didn’t let her hand go as they pushed through the teenagers thronging the entrance.
A boy with blond, spiky hair appeared, slugging Andrew in the shoulder. “Dude!”
Andrew turned to her. “Hey Eden, this is Jake.”
Eden nodded at him, feeling completely out of place, Andrew’s hand the only thing anchoring her to the floor.
Willow threw her arms around Chase’s neck, kissing him. “And here I was pouting all night because I thought you’d forgotten!”
There was laughter. Blonde hair pushed past, running up to Willow.
Megan.
“How did you keep this from me?” Willow asked her friend.
Megan gasped dramatically. “Trust me, it wasn’t easy!”
Willow’s eyes flicked to Eden, and Megan immediately followed her gaze. Knowing the lie Megan was spreading, Eden no longer cared if she glared at her, which she did.
There was a table with food set up, a DJ blaring music in the great room, and teenagers everywhere. Andrew stayed by her side. She tried to act like she was having fun, but she really wanted to run and hide.
Feels like I’m crashing one of Micah’s parties.
Andrew tugged on her hand to dance, and she stalled, asking for more food. There’s a reason I’ve never been to a school dance! He complied, piling more food on her plate. Probably thinks I’m a pig.
When a popular song came on, and everyone was hitting the floor, whooping and hollering, Andrew raised an eyebrow at her. “How about it? Want to?”
She sighed. “Sure, but I have to warn you, I don’t really know how.”
Andrew grinned and tugged on her hands. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
She tried to mimic him, praying she at least swayed to the right beat. Knowing she needed to let go of inhibitions only made her tense up more. Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice. Jake appeared next to them with Megan, and she wanted to shrink away. Megan snickered at her.
I’m over-thinking this, just listen to the song. Ignore Megan; ignore everyone…
Andrew pulled her closer. She panicked; she had no choice but face him. He smiled back at her, his emerald eyes caressing her face.
Feeling disoriented, she realized, I’m actually dancing. And it’s on beat! The song ended and a slower one began. Andrew didn’t hesitate to grab her waist, securing her in his arms. Feeling his body moving with hers was intoxicating. She hated that while she felt such a rush of new feelings for Andrew, she simultaneously felt sad Micah had never felt this way about her.
That’s stupid, of course he wouldn’t. We’re just friends.
She moved closer to Andrew. Being so near his neck, she resisted the urge to inhale his cologne.
“I hope you’re having fun,” he murmured into her ear.
“I am,” she said honestly. And it’s all because of you, she wanted to add.
“Will you go out with me again?”
Does he think I dance like this with everyone? Ok, inner thoughts aren’t helping… “Sure.”
He grinned, pulling her even closer, which she didn’t think possible.
I give. She nestled into his neck. Oh, he smells so good!
He dropped his face into her hair. She had no idea how good this would feel, being held by him, and she wished the song would never end. But it did, and so did the party.
The Awakener Page 20
