Tangled in Tinsel (Holidates #1)(67)

My voice sounds as terrified as I am as I draw out, “Whyyy?”

“Because they’re here,” she whispers. “All four of them.”

My face swings to look over my shoulder, but she nearly slaps it back to hers.

“This is your moment. Say what you want, bitch. You want them? Then get them. But make them work for it.”

I’m nodding. But at what? Because I don’t even know what she said. My head is exploding. And my mouth is so dry that I can barely swallow. I wish I could say something cute and dainty like butterflies swarmed in my stomach, but this feels more like my heart is about to drop out of my ass.

“Pay attention,” she hisses.

Oh god, I can’t listen to her. She’s the same person that convinced me to dress as a Dalmatian to her Cruella for three years in a row when we were kids.

I’m panicking, still in my head, as I whisper, “Cruella wanted to skin the puppies.”

Eleanor points her finger in my face.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Listen to me. You are dating Christopher—he’s fucking delicious and does things to you that not even they can imagine.”

“What? Wait. Why?”

But she doesn’t answer as she spins me around laughing, eyes glancing, head tilting, like I should do the same. So I do, but it sounds more like I’m crying.

What the fuck is happening?

“Are you okay?” comes from my side as Christopher walks back holding two drinks.

Oh god.

I swipe a champagne from him, rushing out, “I’m so sorry for what’s about to happen,” before I down the glass and switch it out with the other one in his hand.

He’s staring at me, probably about to ask what the hell is wrong with me, when we’re suddenly surrounded. At least, that’s what it feels like. Because my favorite set of eyes…all four of them…are staring directly at me.

There’s a whole party happening around me. People laughing, dancing in ballgowns, and drinking champagne as they ready for the countdown. But I’m standing in the spotlight of their attention. Unable and unwilling to break away.

Christopher clears his throat, extending his hand to Reed.

“Hi, I’m Christopher, Samantha’s—”

But Reed cuts him off with a singular, “Nope.”

I smirk, putting my hands on my hips.

“What are you guys doing here? I’m on a date.”

Christopher raises his hand as if to claim the title, but Jace lowers it for him.

Alec crosses his arms, glancing at the guys before he narrows his eyes on me.

“You left us. We want an explanation.”

Heat rises through my body. Are they fucking kidding?

“Wait a minute. How did you know I was here?”

Alec grins, looking at Reed who lifts his chin toward my sister, saying, “I follow her on Instagram.”

Damn you, Elle. I will kill her later.

Alec’s unwavering glare calls to me, locking my gaze back on him.

“Well?” he presses.

“Well, what?” I snap back.

His giant body feels foreboding as he takes a step closer.

“We left our annual New Year’s party to come here. We left a hundred or so guests, for an answer, gorgeous, and we’re not leaving until we get one.”

I scowl, shooting my words with impeccable aim. “You didn’t ask me to stay. It’s that simple.”

Reed steps in closer. “What if we ask you to leave?”

I’m so mad. This is ridiculous. Horns start to sporadically blow around us, making me raise my voice.

“You all but did ask me to leave.” My eyes connect with Cole’s. “You walked me to the door. Told me to leave the shirt on the bed. Nobody said anything when I said there wasn’t a reason for me to stay…that was your cue, dickheads.”

Christopher steps in, turning toward me, trying for privacy.

“Is there something I should know? Did you date one of these guys?” He chuckles nervously, adding, “Or a couple of them because they said we…”

I brush my newly acquired hot girl revenge bangs from my face as I let out a whoosh of a breath.

“Not now, Christopher. You’ll need a drink…or two, before I explain.”

Reed smirks, pushing poor Christopher back to his place.

“Christopher, get fucked. Also, I like your hair, sunshine.”

A growl rips from my throat. “I don’t care.” Lies.

Reed grins with that “up to trouble” look he gets as he keeps his eyes on me, raising his voice.

“Christopher, I can understand your confusion. Let me explain for our Samantha. I don’t know if you know, but my sunshine here is a huge slut. Massive.” Reed smiles down at me, and I try my level best not to do it back. So he keeps talking, “She’s got a body count like Mortal Combat. We’d probably be hard-pressed to fit them all in this room. So four guys was a cakewalk. The only problem is we’re not done.”

Chris pipes up to defend my honor, saying, “Don’t speak to her like that,” but my sister pats his shoulder, interjecting, “It’s all right, Chrissy, she likes it. And him.”

I shake my head, confused as I push Reed back. Did he say, we’re not done?

My hands are suddenly sweaty, so I wipe them down my cobalt blue gown before I swallow and try to put some heat behind my words.