Page 9 of Keep Me
Britt’s blonde hair swept over her shoulder, emphasizing her sculpted, bare arms as she threw her head back on a laugh. My chest constricted. Even though I couldn’t hear her, I knew exactly how it sounded. Breathy and lighthearted. That girl was goddamn perfection without even trying.
Britt had been in my life for three years, and I couldn’t remember a day on the Covey U campus without her. Jackson was right, I was a simp for her. No matter what I was doing, I’d always find myself thinking about her, which was pathetic, really. We were just friends. That fact was cemented in my brain a long time ago, yet I was always trying to chisel away at it.
“Friends? Try telling that to your face.” My lips flattened as I turned to Adam. “Or your girlfriend, for that matter. You know, I’m surprised she let you out on your own tonight. Would have thought she’d gate-crash to make a point about not being invited like she’s done so many other times.”
And just like that, I could breathe again. Olana made me feel the opposite to Britt—cold and angry. “We broke up, don’t you remember?”
Adam shrugged. “Yeah, but you break up once a month.”
I gritted my teeth, tired of talking about a girl who was out of my life for good this time. There was no way I could take her back. Not after what she did.
“Nope. Not this time. It’s over now.” Olana was controlling, overbearing, and stubborn. Those were her best qualities. Frankly, she’d been carrying my balls in her handbag since we were seventeen, and it was only now that I realized how much I needed them back. She and my dad had developed this weird hold over me after my mom passed away. I was never good enough, yet, I strived for perfection for two people who didn’t like me. I was determined to break the pattern this time.
“So why are you here?”
What does he mean?“Because one of our best friends just got married?”
“No, you idiot. Not here at the wedding, but sitting here with me and Jackson.” Adam poked my other roommate in the back, who looked bored out of his mind as he turned to us. “We like you, but we’re in no way as entertaining as the blonde bombshell in the blue dress.”
He was right. Britt would stop traffic if she was walking outside, and I itched to know what it would feel like to have my hands on her hips. To have her breath skating across my skin. To just haveher.
God, I’d wanted Britt for longer than I could remember. All those times we studied together, I wanted to pull her hair back and kiss her senseless, but I never did. I was taken, and there was no way Britt would be interested in a guy like me anyway. She deserved someone flashier. One with less baggage and a family that could love her just as deeply as her own.
“Aww, Adam, are you sad you’re not the only blond bombshell of the group?” Jackson teased, sitting up straighter and giving me a wicked grin. “Actually, this begs the question. Adam, whyaren’t you wearing a bridesmaid dress? You are the maid of honor, after all.”
Adam rolled his eyes and adjusted his lacy bow tie. “I’mmanof honor and best man, thank you very much. No need to wear a dress.”
“Too bad. Bet you’d look just as hot as Britt.”
“Watch it.” Both guys jumped at my interruption, but Jackson had a tendency to take things too far if he wasn’t kept in check.
Jackson leaned over and nudged me on the side. “Aww, Matty. Are you sad that someone else noticed how hot Britt is? Gotta make a pass if you want to play.”
“I’m notplayingwith Britt tonight. We’re just friends. Best Friends,” I stated, more to myself than him.
They glared at me. Adam was unconvinced, and Jackson didn’t seem to care either way.
“Sooo…” Jackson drawled out, cutting a look to Britt. “Does that mean I’ve got a shot with her?” he asked with a mischievous grin and wiggling eyebrows. Britt’s skirt had ridden up, causing her toned thigh to peek out of the slit, but she hadn’t noticed his ogling. Jackson raised his hands, framing her. “Because I’m not sure I could handle all that greatness.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to say anything. I knew better than to respond to Jackson’s goading. Guys were always looking at Britt. How could they not? She was beautiful, and I didn’t know how she did it, but every outfit she ever wore always fit her seamlessly. Like it was made for her. She was perfect, but I didn’t have a claim on her, and I never would.
“You know, it’s been a seriously long time since I’ve been with someone. Nearly failing out of college and having to go to summer school is a real boner killer, but I’m on vacation now, and I could use a little stress relief.” Jackson’s eyes were on me, so I kept my focus on the R & D napkin ring on the table. Devinand Reign spared no expense on this fancy wedding, but after everything they’d both been through, who could blame them?
“You’re not going anywhere near her,” I said, knowing Jackson was all talk. He was goading me for a reaction but knew better than to go against me. Unlike other football players, I didn’t use force to gain control over a situation. I had a different skill. I could literally obliterate a person’s entire identity with the stroke of a keyboard. Not that I did it often. Only when people deserved it. Like the idiot who bullied Hayden, for example. That jackass deserved everything he had coming to him.
“Then I’d probably let Devin’s cousin know because it looks like he’s about to make a move.”
Devin’s cousin? Fuck. Without thinking, I stood.
There was no way I was letting Devin’s cousin anywhere near Britt. When I saw the overly muscular man in the cowboy hat, licking his lips, I knew who Jackson was referring to. Damn, she’d no doubt go for him if given the opportunity. He strolled toward her, his confidence high and I knew he had one thing on his mind.
My best friend.
Sorry, Matthew McConaughey. Not happening.
Not today. Not ever.
I stalked across the dance floor, ignoring the raucous laughter I left behind. Let them laugh. I would get them back later.
