Blame it on the Tequila by Fiona Cole (reader novel txt) 📗

“What is up, my buddies?” Oren greeted, saving me from explaining more. He walked up behind us with his arms spread wide. The giant linebacker behind him looked a little out of place in our crew but had managed to find a spot.

While we wore band tees and relaxed jeans, Brogan Carmichael wore a polo and perfectly pressed jeans—his blond hair styled to a T. He was the star linebacker for our football team and also the new rhythm guitarist for our band. Like me, he’d just moved here, and through an unlikely run-in, we made fast friends.

“Shots, man. Join me,” Ash said, flipping over more solo cups.

A giggly Nova turned to Oren, the tequila already seeping into her veins. “I’m a supernova.”

“Damn right you are,” Brogan agreed, holding his fist out.

She bumped hers to his and edged back to make room in the circle for everyone, holding out her cup for more tequila.

We all tapped cups and tossed the shots back. Nova brought the lime to her lips, and I almost choked on my tongue when her usual bright eyes met mine, growing darker, filling with something I’d never seen from her before. Desire. Unlike the curious glances she gave me before, this one screamed want and need. She dragged her tongue along her bottom lip. I could have basked under her stare all night, but it vanished when Kelly ducked under my arm.

“Pour me a shot,” she told Ash.

“Pour me two,” Nova shouted like it was some kind of competition.

Oren cheered. “Me too. Let’s do it, Supernova.”

She lifted her cup and started singing Shots by LMFAO. Oren danced, and Nova joined in, stumbling.

“Hey, why don’t we slow down,” I said softly.

She stopped dancing and looked from me to Kelly and back to me. “Nah, I want to enjoy the party. That’s why you wanted me to come out, right? Have fun on a Saturday night?”

“Yeah,” the guys cheered in chorus.

I wanted her to come out and have fun, but I didn’t want her to end up miserable and blacked out drunk.

Thankfully, Uptown Funk came on, and Nova abandoned her plan for two more shots, brushed past the guys with her arms already up as she danced her way to an open spot. Oren took her shot for her and followed behind. Brogan and Ash joining them.

“Let’s dance. I love this song.” Kelly grabbed my hand and pulled me to the group. She shook her ass and rolled her hips, holding my attention—for the most part. Nova danced beside us, tempting me to watch her.

Determined to focus on Kelly, I gripped her hips and moved with her. Two songs later, she asked if I wanted another beer, and I jumped at the chance to put distance between Nova and me. But it backfired when we stood on the edge of the dance floor with our beers, and I had a perfectly direct view of Nova dancing.

Kelly stood in my arms, her back to my front, ass firmly swaying against my dick. It should have been all I could think about, but I couldn’t help but focus on Nova dancing with the guys.

Songs blended together, and she twirled away from Ash’s arms and into Oren’s and then Brogan’s. She rotated between them until they began pairing off with other girls. Then random guys moved in, trying to capture the supernova shining on the floor, and I reached my breaking point.

“I’m gonna keep the other guys away from Nova,” I said against Kelly’s ear.

She turned back, her face twisted in confusion. “You’re going to dance with your sister?”

“She’s not my sister,” I growled. “And I promised our parents I’d keep an eye on her,” I lied.

Kelly’s face softened, and she kissed my cheek. “You’re a good guy, Parker.”

I snorted. Yeah, a good guy. Totally noble.

NOVA

My head swam from the quick succession of tequila I’d consumed upon entering the party. I knew I’d regret it later, but right now, with the music blaring, the lightheaded happiness that kept me from dwelling on anything other than moving my body to the beat, I didn’t care.

Every time I looked over to find Kelly grinding on Parker, all I had to do was turn into whoever’s arms I was dancing with, and all was forgotten. All I had to do was close my eyes and pretend it was Parker’s arms wrapped around me and it was like Kelly never existed.

But she did.

And it had guilt bubbling up because Kelly was cool—other than her being with Parker.

I wasn’t even sure if they were dating, but fantasizing about a guy who even kind-of-slightly-might belong to someone else wasn’t me.

At least it hadn’t been me.

I didn’t want it to be me.

“Move,” a deep voice ordered, interrupting my beat.

I stumbled and turned, watching my dance partner hold his hands up to a scowling Parker and back away.

“What the hell, Parker?”

“You just going to rub your ass on anyone tonight?” he asked with none of his usual relaxed humor.

“I’m just dancing,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It’s not like I’m letting my girlfriend dry hump me in front of everyone.”

His brows shot up, and I looked away, hating that I admitted my irritation.

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Well, whatever. I’m just dancing.”

“With strange guys.”

“Half of them go to our school.”

“Well, now you can dance with me.”

“I-I—” I sputtered, trying to process the thought of Parker actually wrapping his arms around me, his clean, spicy scent engulfing me. “What? Won’t Kelly care?”

“No. Like I said, she’s not my girlfriend.” The song changed, and his smile came out to play, luring me in. “Now, shut up and dance with me.”

I laughed, hearing the opening to the song, giving in to the music. I bounced on the balls of my feet and swayed side to side, singing the words to him. When the chorus came on, I acted out the lyrics, holding up my hand and demanding he dance with me.

His perfect smile grew, and we danced around