“Yeah.” I cross toward the couch on the far side of the room and pick up my fitted black t-shirt that’s flung over the side of it. “What’s the game plan for tonight?” I ask, glancing at the clock before sliding the shirt over my head.
“The girls just got back.” He runs a hand through his messy hair before squatting down in front of the mini fridge. “We’re gonna head downstairs and grab some dinner if you want to join.”
“Sure.” I shrug nonchalantly, watching him pull out two individual bottles of Jack Daniels from the fridge before standing.
He tosses one to me before twisting the cap off of his. He holds his bottle up for a brief moment before draining the contents in one long gulp. Following his lead, I do the same, wiping away the traces of whiskey left on my lips with the back of my hand.
“Sorry, I just needed that.” He laughs, tossing the bottle into the trashcan next to him.
“Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fucking perfect man.” He shakes his head, his hand reaching around to squeeze the back of his neck. “I’m just nervous as shit.” He admits on a gruff laugh.
“Why?” I can’t help but ask the question.
“What if she wakes up one day and realizes she made a mistake?”
“That’s not gonna happen dude. That girl is crazy about you.” I reassure him, sitting down on the couch to slide on my shoes.
“I don’t know. I’m just in my fucking head right now. Kimber is—fuck, she’s everything that’s fucking good in this world man. I just can’t wrap my mind around what she’s doing with a guy like me. Hell, I’ve never understood it.”
“You give yourself too much shit dude.” I stand, crossing the room toward him. “You deserve Kimber. You deserve to be happy. Just let the doubts go and embrace the fucking ride.” I clasp down on his shoulder and meet his gaze.
“Thanks man.” He lets out a slow exhale before turning to follow me out of the room.
Stepping into the hallway, I pause just seconds after the door closes behind me. My attention goes directly to Charlie as she comes into my line of sight. She’s leaning casually against the wall, her cell phone just inches from her face as she types something out.
I hear Kimber say something to Decklan but I can’t pull my gaze away from the stunning woman in front of me. She’s wearing a black, strapless dress that stops mid-thigh and shows off the amazing contour of her legs. It hugs her torso just right, accenting her amazing curves. Fuck me.
The moment her eyes meet mine my mind goes slack. Her hair is pulled to the side, secured in place by a silver barrette and her full lips are covered in a deep red gloss that has my groin tightening just by looking at her.
I am fully aware that our whole group has gathered in the hallway, apparently waiting for Deck to get me, but I can’t rip my eyes away from her. Seconds tick by but feel like hours before I finally register Gavin’s voice next to me and the fog seems to lift.
Hoping no one has noticed my momentary lapse; I plaster on a smile and turn in his direction just as he speaks again.
“What the fuck dude? Hitting the mini fridge early?” He bumps his shoulder into mine, clearly chalking up my haze to alcohol.
“Maybe a little.” I give him a cocky smile and head off down the hallway.
I’m not really sure who, if anyone, is following me as I round the corner toward the elevator. All I know is I need to pull my shit together—like now. I can’t have Gavin seeing me gawk at his sister like a horny fucking teenager.
Fuck.
Everyone joins me in front of the elevator before it reaches our floor and the doors slide open. I keep my eyes trained on anything and everything that is not Charlie the entire ride down and walk to the restaurant. By the time we take our seats in the swanky hotel restaurant just a few minutes later, I am painfully aware of her eyes on me. I swear it’s like I can feel the heat from her stare burning holes in my face, but still I avoid her gaze.
It’s killing me not to look up into those beautiful, dark eyes but I keep my focus trained on the rest of the group, the menu in front of me, the waitress as she brings our drinks and then comes back minutes later to take our order.
I know my actions are probably confusing as hell. I can only imagine what Charlie is thinking right now as she sits caddy corner across the table from me.
Doing my best to participate in the conversation flowing around the table, I jump slightly when I feel my phone vibrate. Leaning forward, I grab the device out of my back pocket, an instant smile coming to my face when I see the message displayed across the screen.
Charlie: You realize it’s not illegal to look at me right?
A second message immediately follows.
Charlie: You’re starting to give me a complex.
Here I’m thinking she’s probably furious with my behavior and instead, clearly she’s finding humor in it.
Me: Well I certainly wouldn’t want to do that.
Charlie: It’s just me Pax. Stop acting like your eyes will burn out of their sockets if you look in my direction.
Her response pulls a laugh from my throat that I immediately try to cover. When no one seems to take notice of my outburst, I finally turn my gaze to her, meeting her eyes instantly. She stares at me for a long moment before sticking her tongue out playfully and scrunching her nose in the cutest fucking way. This is why I’m so twisted up by this girl. Not only is she beautiful as fuck on the outside, she’s amazing in every other single way that counts as well.
She’s sweet and stubborn. Giving and selfish. Funny and serious. She is the perfect fucking combination of good and bad and just looking into those damn eyes of hers pulls the air right out of my lungs. She’s fucking more than just breathtaking, she’s all consuming. And I’m fucking lost in her.
I turn my attention back to my phone, typing out a quick message.
Me: You think you could slip your roommate tonight?
I can’t fight the smile on my lips as I press send and watch her eyes widen, her gaze jumping between me and the phone. She chews lightly on her bottom lip, the action causing me to squirm slightly in my seat, before typing out a response.
Charlie: Maybe…
Before I get a chance to say anything more, Decklan pulls my attention to him, asking if I’d be willing to lend my musical services for the wedding.
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I throw Charlie a quick sideways glance before turning my attention back to Deck.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Well, I had an idea.” Kimber jumps in. “Instead of walking down the aisle to the same boring song everyone else does, I thought maybe you could play something.”
“I’d be honored.” I answer truthfully, watching Kimber’s smile light up her face. “Anything specific you were thinking?”
“Not really.” She tucks a blonde wave behind her ear. “Just something different. Something beautiful.”
“I think I can come up with something.” But then quickly add the moment I remember I didn’t bring my guitar—“Does the chapel have…”
“We already made sure they had a guitar on site.” Deck interrupts, clearly already knowing where my question is going.
“Okay. I won’t have time to practice anything but I’m sure I can wing it.”