See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)(46)

But how the hell am I going to fool a bunch of girls?





#26:

It’s Time to Play Pretend



Trey



The hall’s been done up with see-through fabric and fairy lights. The girls from Williams Academy spent all afternoon making the space pretty. Plenty of guys stood around ogling them as they prepared for the winter dance. It happens every year—the second Friday of December. It’s tradition for the girls to come and pretty up the place. Apparently the guys doing nothing but putting on some music wasn’t enough for them, so ten years ago the girls arrived early and decorated the hall the way they wanted it…and they’ve done it every year since.

I’d usually be strutting across the grounds, buzzed with the idea of spending my night making out with some hot chick. We’d sneak out back where she’d let me touch her boobs and I’d make her feel like the only person on the planet for a little while.

Weird thing is, I don’t actually care about doing that tonight.

The only girl I actually want to touch is standing in a suit beside me. I glance down and notice her grimace, so I nudge her with my elbow. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“Stop saying crazy shit to me,” she bites back.

Damn, I love that tongue. It should drive me nuts that she’s always got a comeback to everything I say, but there’s something about our banter that stirs me, ignites me…makes me want to spend every waking minute with her.

“I can’t believe I have to come to this stupid thing.” She looks between me and the guys. “You’re all morons.”

“Would you stop?” Kade lifts his chin. “You’re killing my buzz.”

“You’re not buzzed.”

He grins at her. “I’m drunk on happiness, baby. I’m about to get me some, and I don’t want you shitting all over it with your grumpy-ass attitude. Now stand up straight and start acting horny.”

Chris growls in her throat while Kade struts into the room. As predicted, the girls come flocking and he’s soon flirting up a storm. A few hungry gazes fire my way and I can’t help feeling the heat of Chris’s glare beside me.

Clearing my throat, I force myself away from her.

The dean kind of said she had to come but we backed him up, because everyone comes to the winter dance. Since Thanksgiving break Chris has been hanging full time with us. Guys have noticed the change in her, the fact she doesn’t lag quite so far behind in PE, the slight confidence in her gait. Even Ivan hasn’t come near her.

If she didn’t come with us tonight, people would want to know why. And when it comes to Chris Lorden, the less questions the better.

Besides, it means we’re in the same room and I can keep an eye on her.

Problem is, if I keep too close an eye then I might end up giving myself away. She looks sexy in a guy’s suit. I don’t know how it’s possible but she makes it work. It probably isn’t helping that I can easily picture everything underneath that clothing and it’s a total turn-on. I want to kiss her any chance I can get.

But not tonight.

Tonight I have to be the Trey all the girls remember, the guy who flirts, laughs and has only one thing on his mind.

I glance over my shoulder and spot Chris hovering near the drinks table.

She grabs a can of Sprite and opens it, drinking deeply before shuffling to the edge of the room.

Ivan’s watching her. I catch him out of the corner of my eye, studying her every move. Since he returned from Thanksgiving break, he hasn’t laid a finger on her. Instead he’s torturing her with constant glares and silent threats that are damn unnerving.

I want to pummel him for it, but I can’t risk that third strike.

Chris needs me at this school, so I’ll keep my fists to myself and play along.

“Hey, Trey,” a silky voice forces my attention away from Chris.

“Oh, hey, Sophia. How’s it going?”

“Good.” Her smile is coy…inviting.

I don’t shift away when she rests her hand on my arm. I have to stay put, pretend like I want this.

“Wanna dance?”

“Sure.” I force a smile and let her pull me onto the floor. Her long brown locks tickle my fingers when she tips her head back to look at me.

She thinks she’s sexy and cute.

Usually, she would be.

But I’m not in a “usually” place right now.

Whatever Chris and I shared over Thanksgiving only made me realize how much cooler she is than every other girl on this planet. The way she looks at me, the way she tells me I’m strong…that I’m a leader.

Sophia curls her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine. She starts playing with the back of my hair. I hold her waist and we sway to the music.

“You look good tonight,” she whispers, leaning in, looking for a kiss.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

She smells good. Like strawberries.

Her lips are pink and glossy. They’re doing that pouty thing that’s supposed to turn me on.

My body is asking what my problem is, but my mind’s with Chris. Over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to know her lips pretty damn well. They’re already familiar, and I’m not sure anyone else can compare.

Sophia’s bright eyes glint as she rises on her toes, her tongue peeking out between her teeth.