Thief(9)

“As if,” Max says, turning to look at me. “Bros over hoes, Vi. I’m not leaving you alone.”

Bros over hoes?

I don’t know if I should take offence to that or be happy he considers me one of the guys.

“She won’t be alone,” Dash says. “If you want to hook up with someone, I can stay with Vi.”

A weird tension I don’t understand fills the car. “I’m not going to leave Vi. I never do.”

“Okay,” Dash says, looking straight ahead. He turns the music back up, for which I’m thankful. I look out the window until we arrive at the huge, modern-looking two-story house. There are people standing out front, congregating in circles, all with drinks in their hands. Music is blasting from inside. Max opens my door for me when I don’t get out.

“Come on,” he says, nodding his head toward the house. “You like this song.”

I do like this song. I get out and cross my arms over my chest, scanning the scene in front of me. Dash stands next to me as Max grabs his beers.

“Do you go to parties like this a lot?” I ask him.

“Not a lot, but I’ve been to a few over the years, yes,” he says, scanning my features. “We’ll make an appearance, maybe dance, socialise, and then go get some food. What do you think?”

“I think that sounds perfect.”

We walk inside and the guys say hi to everyone they pass, while I keep to myself and smile at a few girls I know from some of my classes.

“Do you want something to drink?” Dash asks, standing so close to me I can smell him. I want to bury my face in his chest and just breathe in, but luckily I’m able to refrain myself.

“Yeah, maybe some juice or soda or something,” I say. Max wraps his arm around me as he glances around the place.

“How awesome is this house?”

“I’ll be back,” Dash says, heading toward the table of drinks.

“It’s massive,” I say, following Max’s line of sight. “Perfect house for a party, that’s for sure.”

“You’re going to have a good time, I promise,” he says, taking a sip of his beer.

Dash returns with two red cups in his hands, passing one over to me. “Orange juice okay?”

“Perfect, thank you,” I say, accepting the cup from him and taking a small sip. Max leads us to the outside area, where we all sit down and watch a couple of the guys from math class play beer pong.

When I see Sierra, I glance at Dash.

He just grins. “Yeah, I know she’s here, but don’t worry. I’m not going to flip out and drag her home.”

“Phew,” I say, playfully wiping my forehead. “Because that would have scarred the poor girl for life.”

“Max!” Liam, one of the guys from school, calls out.

“Be right back,” Max says to me then glances at Dash. “You won’t leave her, right?”

Dash shakes his head.

“I’ll just be over there.” He points to the group of his friends. “Unless you want me to stay?”

“I’m fine, Max,” I say honestly. “I can still see you from here anyway.”

“True,” he chuckles, then walks in that direction.

“I still don’t get the two of you,” Dash says, moving closer to me on the chair. “I’ve never seen friends so close.”

I shrug my shoulder and lean closer to him. “We grew up together. He’s my best friend and family mixed in one.”

Dash brushes my hair off my face, and I stop breathing. This is the first time he’s touched me like that.

“So I was wondering if maybe…” he starts then pauses, his violet gaze on my lips. “I could take you out next weekend. On a proper date.”

My eyes widen. “I think I’d like that.”

Is this happening? Did Dash ask me out on a date? Dash? The boy I’ve been secretly crushing on since the moment I laid eyes on him?

Is he going to kiss me on this date?

I’ve never been properly kissed before.

“Okay, good,” he says softly, cupping my cheek with his palm. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

“Socially awkward and opinionated?” I joke, making him chuckle.

“Socially awkward, kind-hearted, and just f*cking wonderful,” he replies, grinning. “Real is what you are. Just real.”

I stare at his lips. “Dash?”

“Yeah?” he whispers.

“I’ve never been kissed before,” I blurt out, feeling a mixture of nervous and excited.

“You haven’t?” he asks, looking surprised.

I shake my head.

“Shit, Vi,” he says softly, lowering his face to mine. I move a little closer myself until our lips barely touch. Then, it happens. His mouth comes down on mine—gently, softly, perfectly. His tongue lightly explores my mouth, and I just hope the kiss is as good for him as it is for me. He pulls back way too soon, taking away his kisses just as I’d gotten them.

“Don’t stop,” I tell him. “I kind of want to do that for the rest of the night.”

He flashes me a slow-spreading smile, dimples on show. “We can’t sit here kissing all night, Vi.”