The Girl Next Door
Chapter 35

Tonight has officially ended up in the shitter. I'd been looking forward to spending time with Mia away from campus, but that hasn't happened. It doesn't take a genius to realize that she's been avoiding me all evening.

For f**k's sake, she was hiding behind a potted palm.

No girl has ever gone to such great lengths in their quest to evade me.

It's official. My ego has been completely annihilated.

And then there's Ari, that rat bastard. Every time they were together, his arm was tucked around her waist. I'm this close to wrapping my hands around his neck and squeezing the damn life out of him. Exactly when did he become so interested in Mia?

I can compete with a lot of guys, but not my brother.

Out of the two of us, Ari is the better man. There isn't anything he hasn't tried and succeeded at. High school, football, college, law school. Nothing fazes the guy. He comes, conquers, and then leaves. If I didn't love him so damn much, I'd be annoyed.

My father can't sing his praises loud enough. At least the old man has one son who will do him proud in life. We all know it won't be me.

Unable to stomach the sight of them dancing, I swing away and cut through the crowd before beelining for the exit. On my way out, I snag a bottle of beer from the waiter. The area surrounding the tent is packed with guests. I glance at the house, wondering if it's possible to seek refuge in there, but it's ablaze with lights. Through the windows, I see more people milling around and chatting. They're everywhere. Escape doesn't seem possible.

If one more person asks about football or the draft, I'm going to throw myself in the pool. I'm talked out. I want to be alone and brood.

"Hey, Beck!" my uncle shouts from twenty feet away, "we haven't had a chance to catch up. How's the season going?"

I shake my head and cup my hand around my ear. "Sorry, can't hear you."

He waves his arm and says loudly, "Get over here, kid!"

I point to the house. "I need to check on something for Mom. I'll catch you later."

When he turns away, I breathe a sigh of relief and head in the opposite direction, ducking behind the tent to the far end of the property. Lights have been strategically placed throughout the yard and pool area. The further I venture from the tent, the more engulfed by darkness I become.

With a bottle of beer clutched in my hand, I collapse onto one of the chairs arranged around the brick firepit and stretch my legs out in front of me. I twist off the cap and bring the bottle to my lips before taking a swig. It's cold and refreshing, but does nothing to ease the growing ache in my chest.

The thought of Mia and Ari together makes me sick to my stomach. I've been focused on her for so long. Sometimes it seems like forever. How am I supposed to forget about her and move on? Is that even possible?

I guess I'm going to replace out. If there's one lesson I've learned, it's that you can't force someone to like you.

It's a bitter pill to swallow.

The noise of the party fades as I slouch on the chair and stare at the bright pinpricks of light that dot the clear night sky. Maybe I'll hide out here for the rest of the evening. It's not like anyone will miss me. "Is this chair taken?"

I jerk out of my misery only to replace Mia staring at me.

Even though my heart constricts, I shrug and wave a hand. "Be my guest."

Carefully, she tucks her skirt beneath her before settling on the white Adirondack chair next to mine.

"Where's Ari?" I wince at the bitterness that shoots out of my mouth.

Jeez.

Jealous much?

I might have known this girl my entire life, but she still has the strange ability to twist me up into little knots. It's the most ridiculous thing, and yet, all I want to do is be around her. She's a brightly shining sun I replace myself gravitating to. Her eyes flicker to mine before darting away as her fingers twist nervously in her lap. "He's in the tent dancing with your grandmother."

"That sounds about right. Now that Nana has a brand-new hip, she's back to shaking her booty like it's the seventies."

A tiny smile tips the corners of her lips. "I have to admit, she's got some enviable moves. Everyone has formed a circle around her while she out-twerks your brother." Mia pauses before adding, "My guess is that she's had a few drinks." "Probably more than a few," I chuckle. "Nana Betty loves her gin and tonics with a twist of lime. I used to make them for her all the time when I was a kid."

"I remember."

We fall into silence as Mia stares at her fingers.

Why is she here? She's done everything humanly possible to avoid me this evening. And now, the moment I stop chasing her, she seeks me out? It makes no damn sense.

No matter how old I am, I will never understand girls.

They're like the Bermuda Triangle.

Or a Rubik's Cube.

Totally unsolvable.

When I can't stand another moment of silence, I ask, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be partying it up?"

With Ari.

The guy she's obviously interested in.

My lips twist with resentment as I pick at the bottle label with my thumbnail. There's no doubt about it, I am in full-on sad bastard mode. She should leave before I jackhammer to an all-new low and embarrass myself any further. From the corner of my eye, I watch her fingers become more erratic. If I didn't know better, I'd suspect my presence made her nervous. But that's wishful thinking on my part.

"I wanted to talk to you."

Me?

Really?

"Oh?" I can't imagine why. Is this where Mia drops the bomb that she's filing a restraining order against me? Nothing would surprise me at this point. "What about? Seems like you've been working really hard to avoid me all night." Not to mention, the last couple of years. It might have taken me a while, but I finally got the memo.

Message received loud and clear.

Even though it's dark, a blush hits her cheeks.

"You're right," she admits. "That's exactly what I've been doing."

Woah.

What's going on here?

An actual acknowledgment?

I sit up a little straighter on my chair. "Are you going to tell me why?"

The sounds of the party fill the air between us, and I wonder if she'll answer the question.

"I don't want to be hurt again."

f**k.

She's talking about what happened between us after our senior year of high school. I took her virginity and told her that I wanted more. Then my dad got in my head, and I backed out.

"I'm sorry, Mia. I never meant to hurt you." I shake my head. "When I asked you out, I was serious." I glance away and admit, "But I chickened out. Most of the time, I don't think I'm anywhere near good enough for you."

"Why would you say that?" she murmurs, voice filled with disbelief.

A bitter chuckle escapes from my lips. "How could I not? You're amazing at everything, and I'm," I shrug, "me."

"Beck," she whispers.

I grow restless under the heaviness of her gaze. As much as I don't want to have this conversation, it needs to be said. "It's the truth. You could do so much better than a guy like me." I've struggled with ADHD my whole life. The disappointment my father feels has chipped away at my self-esteem over the years. Maybe that's not the image I project to the world, but it's how I feel deep down inside.

A strangled groan leaves my lips as I realize how much I've revealed. Now she'll think I'm a pathetic loser. All I'm doing is making Ari look better. It's the story of my life.

I drag a hand over my face and focus on the trees that creep at the edge of the property. Embarrassment bubbles up inside me like a geyser.

What the f**k was I thinking?

Maybe if I ignore her long enough, she'll leave. Nothing about this evening has worked out the way I thought it would. I'm ready for it to be over. Mia has spent years avoiding me. It shouldn't be too difficult to do the same until graduation. From the corner of my eye, I watch as she rises to her feet.

Thank f**k.

A dozen bottles of beer, and maybe I'll forget this conversation ever took place. I'm not one to get blackout drunk, but right now, it's the best plan I can come up with.

Instead of returning to the party, she closes the distance between us. It's only when she lowers herself to my lap, that I stare at her in surprise. My hands settle on her waist so she won't tumble off my thighs as her arms slide around my neck. "Do you remember what you asked me two weeks ago outside Dr. Hayes' classroom?"

She's so damn close that her warm breath drifts across my lips. Barely am I able to concentrate on the question she poses.

"Beck?" Humor tinges her voice.

I blink and wrack my brain. Two weeks ago? Outside Hayes' classroom?

Oh...right.

Mia had used her stealthy avoidance tactics to thwart me, but I'd loitered around and waited for her.

"You asked for a second chance," she reminds softly.

Yup, that's right. And she shot me down before I could blink.

"I remember," I mutter, wondering where she's going with this.

She presses closer. The light floral scent she's wearing wraps around me. I suck in a deep breath as need pulses through my body.

"Ask me again," she whispers.

A little zip of electricity sizzles through my veins. I search her eyes, trying to sift through her thoughts in the darkness. Is this some kind of joke? Are all of my parent's guests planning on jumping out and laughing hysterically when I ask this girl out again only for her to reject me?

Nerves settle in the pit of my belly. "Will you give me another chance?"

Her mouth brushes over mine. Back and forth, she caresses my lips until I'm close to losing it.

"Yes."

With a frown, I drag myself away. "You're not f*****g with me, are you?"

The corners of her lips quirk. "No, I'm not."

"You sure?"

"Yes," she laughs, "I'm sure."

"All right then." Every muscle in my body loosens. "Carry on with what you were doing."

Instead of waiting for her to come to me, I press my mouth against hers. As soon as she opens, my tongue slips inside. Mia's arms tighten around my neck. That's all it takes to get lost in the taste of her.

"It's nice to see you two have finally worked out your issues," a smug voice says from behind us. "I was beginning to lose hope."

Son of a b***h.

I pull away from Mia enough to twist around and glare at my brother. "Get out of here before I kick your a*s." Even though Mia is perched on my lap, I press her protectively against my chest.

"Don't worry, I'm going." He chuckles before throwing his hands up in the air. "I don't even get a thank you for pushing you two crazy kids together?"

I snort as Ari disappears as silently as he arrived on the scene.

For a moment, I stare at Mia. "So, what now?"

She purses her lips and pretends to ponder the question. "You kiss me."

"I can do that," I murmur, not needing to be told twice.