Maybe by then, I would have a clear head and realize how bad of an idea this all was.

SIXTEENDAISY

A few days later, I was sitting silently next to Kye as he drove us to Isabella’s house.

He was already annoyed.

I guess it shouldn’t have been a surprise based on his earlier texts telling me that he would be, but I wasn’t sure what to do with him now. We were already on our way to Isabella’s party, and this would be my first time seeing Dean since the whole boat incident. I had invited the girls to my party earlier in the week, but left him out. It had been enough, though, and Isabella had invited me to the party that the sorority house was throwing.

“And what party is this now?” he asked. His hand tapped the shifter as we sat in the car, looking at the huge house. He had been agitated since we got into the car, and I couldn’t imagine this was helping.

“One Isabella is having at the sorority house.”

“The sorority that you left because they were treating you so badly?”

I drummed my fingers against my thigh. “Yeah, but this is for Isabella, not for the other girls. She’s the only one that has been more of a friend to me still, and I want to show up for her.”

“And of course you couldn’t still be friends if you didn’t make an appearance,” he said in a mocking tone.

“Do you just want to go?” I snapped.

“No. I want to get this shit over with. Come on.” He kicked the door open, getting out and heading to my side, but not bothering to open the door.

“I feel like you’re going to start a fight tonight.”

He stared down at me, the frown on his face deepening. “And? Isn’t that what you like about me? That I’ll punch the stupid ex-boyfriend or try to kill anyone who gets too close to us?”

“Kye,” I said, reaching out and touching his arm. He pulled away, stepping back until he was out of reach.

“Listen, I’ve had a shit day, Daze. All I want to do is go be at the garage or go home, but I’m here playing fake fucking boyfriend, so don’t even give me shit for not being happy about it.”

“Wow,” I said, slamming the door. “Sorry, I wanted these people to think I was fine without them after last weekend. And sorry that I wanted Dean to see you here, and maybe think twice about trying to basically kill me again. Maybe I’ll act the same way next weekend when I have to go to the stupid party with you and Holt. Oh, and when I have to tell my dad that I’m dating you, and handle the fight from that. My dad, the sheriff, who you seem to love pissing off. Sorry it’s too difficult to be my boyfriend, but I have to play nice and be your girlfriend. Just go home, Kye.” I stomped towards the house, not bothering to look back, no matter how badly I wanted to.

Music and people spilled out onto the front patio, and I pushed through them, trying to make my way to the kitchen but winding up in the living room.

Isabella sat on a guy’s lap on one couch, Sydney sitting on Dean’s lap next to them.

Of course, I had to run into him first.

Fighting with Kye was stupid since he wasn’t actually my boyfriend, but somehow I was upset about it, and seeing Dean after Kye leaving me here wasn’t going to help me save face at all.

“Oh, hey, Daisy,” Dean said, smiling.

“Daisy!” Isabella squealed. “I’m so happy you came!”

I leaned down, hugging her as she stayed on the guy’s lap. “Of course, I came. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Really?” Dean asked. “After last week, I assumed you wouldn’t be coming around much.” He looked past me and grinned. “And alone at that?”

I looked behind me, my heart falling more when I realized Kye had really left.

“Well, I didn’t think there would be any more issues, so why wouldn’t I?”

He smirked, looking around at the other guys before starting in on his game. “There is a pool outback. Maybe we could recreate our weekend?” The group broke out into laughter. Everyone besides Isabella. At least I still had one real friend left.

Dean’s laughter died out as he looked at me. A hand wrapped around my wrist, spinning me until I was face-to-face with Kye.

“What the fuck, Daze?” he said.

“Kye, I thought you left,” I said, hoping I was quiet enough they wouldn’t hear.

“Why would I? You think you get to snap at me and not give me a chance to give a comeback?” His face was hard. The tight jaw and angry flash of his eyes made me want to step back.

“Yes,” I breathed. “I get to do whatever I want.”

He groaned and leaned down, wrapping his hands around my thighs until he was lifting me up.

“Yes, you fucking do,” he said, before his lips found mine. For the first time, he wasn’t frozen solid. I could hear someone gasp, but I was already losing myself to his mouth. He turned to walk out, but he stopped, pulling his lips from mine. “If you even attempt to throw her in that pool tonight. I will kill you, Dean.”

He carried me out without another word, and I didn’t waste a second before finding his lips again. His tongue moved against mine, and I moaned.

“I thought you didn’t want to be here.”

“I didn’t want to be in there,” he breathed. “I’m perfectly fine to be out here with you.”

He leaned me back against something, but I kept my eyes closed, preferring to take in every second of him kissing me. 

“Where’s your car?”

“You’re nearly on top of it.”

“Perfect. Get in.”

“With you attached to me?”

“Yes. Figure it out, Kye,” I demanded before putting his attention back to my mouth. His tongue moving with a confidence he didn’t have the first time we did this.

He got in, moving his seat back with me on top of him. My hands slipped under his shirt, pulling it up and off of him.

“I really keep hoping you’re going to look worse with this off, but somehow it gets better every time.”

I started pulling at his belt, but he grabbed my wrists, holding them tight in front of me.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Stopping you.”

“Why?”