I think my step-brother just might like my best friend.

“You guys ready?” I ask.

Melanie turns. “Oh, Ari, you look gorgeous.”

“She’s right,” Brody says, reaching out and taking my arm. “Let’s go.”

Melanie gives me a curious look, and I give her a confused one in return. I have no idea why Brody is acting like this. He holds my arm until we’re on our way to Bryce’s house, then he lets it go. “Be careful of that Bryce. He’s a sleaze ball.”

I laugh. “Yes, Brother.”

His lips quirk. I think Brody is enjoying his role as big brother a little too much after our bonding session. Melanie catches up to us and hooks her arm through mine, then she leans into my ear and whispers, “What’s with you and Brody bonding?”

I shrug. “He’s decided to take on the big brother role,” I whisper back.

She laughs and Brody gives us a curious glance. I ignore it and we skip forward. When we reach the party, I see Blade right away. He’s sitting beside Peyton, who has her arm hooked through his. Burning jealousy rips through my chest, but I keep my smile and ignore his stare. I don’t miss how his eyes drop to my legs. This is going to be a great deal harder than I’d first thought. Of that I’m sure.

“Let’s get a drink,” Melanie says, dragging me inside the house.

Bryce and his friends are in the kitchen, mixing up cocktails. When he sees me, a big smile stretches across his face. I can’t help but smile back. He walks around the counter and wraps his arms around me. I hug him and look up into his perfectly handsome face. “You look gorgeous tonight,” he murmurs, staring at my lips.

I smile. “Thanks. What’re you guys making?”

He keeps his arm around my waist and leads me towards the counter. They’re making Pina Coladas, and Mel and I both opt for one. Then Melanie drags me away from Bryce. She leads me outside and we find a spot around the fire going in the front yard. I avoid Blade’s eyes at all costs.

“What’s going on with you two?” Mel whispers in my ear.

I lean in close. “It’s a long story, but let’s just say we’ve come to the agreement that we need to stop whatever is going on and leave it alone.”

“How does that make you feel?” She frowns.

I shrug. “I’m okay.”

She studies me, then smiles and says, “You need to get laid then!”

I splutter on my drink and glare at her. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously. Do you think he isn’t taking that uppity skank to his bed tonight? You have to move on; you’re young, and Bryce is more than keen.”

She has a point, and that point hurts. Blade won’t hesitate being with Peyton tonight, I know it.

“I’ll see what happens.”

She wraps her arm around my shoulders. “That’s my girl.”

~*~*~*~

It’s midnight, and we’ve all been drinking. I haven’t had a great deal, purely because I can’t stomach it after today. I am having a blast, though. Melanie and I have spent the night mingling. I’ve even shared a kiss with Bryce. It was nice—it wasn’t hot, but it passed the test. Things were going great, right until I ended up in his room.

I don’t really know how he managed to get me here. We were kissing, laughing, and he wanted to show me something. Now we’re kissing on his bed, hot and heavy, only my mind is really not in it. Bryce doesn’t do slow, and his hands are wandering over my breasts and up my skirt. His fingers graze my sex, and I want it to feel good, but it doesn’t. Melanie was wrong; I can’t move on this quickly. I’m not ready and I don’t want to be someone’s one-night stand, even if he’s a nice guy.

“God, you’re so wet.”

I curl my upper lip. He must be mad. I’m as dry as a desert river. Poor Bryce.

“Bryce,” I say, pushing his chest softly. “I don’t think . . .”

He pulls back and glares at me. “Don’t do that, Aria.”

“Do what?” I mutter.

“Pull back after you let me come in here and do this.”

I shuffle out of his grip and stand. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m not really up for it. You’re a great guy, but I can’t.”

He stares at me, then mutters, “Waste of fuckin’ time, just like my buddies said.”

Um, prick alert. “Well, thanks for confirming that I just made the right choice. Night, Bryce.”

I turn and rush out of his room. I straighten my dress as I hurry down the hall, but come to a halt when I catch a glimpse of a couple in the room at the end. The door is open and they’re sitting on the edge of the bed, kissing. Heavy. My heart feels as if it’s been ripped from my chest as I watch Blade’s lips move over Peyton’s. Oh God. I think I’m going to vomit.

He must sense me because he pulls back and looks towards the door. He flinches when he sees me. I can’t do this. I thought I could, but I can’t. I turn and run through the living area and out of the house. I stumble down the front steps just as tears prick my eyelids and stream down my face. Melanie calls out for me, then Brody, but I ignore them and just run into the darkness.

“Aria, wait!”

Blade. He followed me.

I keep running.

“Fuck it, just wait.”

He catches up to me and takes my arm, spinning me around. I shove at his chest, over and over, then I cry hysterically. “Did you fuck her? Did you? Did you make her feel how you made me feel? Did you?”