8. Amelia

Amelia (I Don't Care by Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber)

This guy hasn't let go of my hand in twenty minutes.

Since we stepped foot in here, he's been tugging me around, making small talk here and there. I mean, it's expected. The man's quite popular.

Right now, he's talking to some frat guys and I'm just standing here, bored.

"Yeah!" Everett lets out a throaty laugh and shakes the last guy's hand.

He turns to look at me. "You good? Would you like something to drink?"

"Finally, he asks after a decade." I roll my eyes as we make our way to a couch with just enough free space for one person.

From the corner of my eye, I see Cole rocking a girl nearby.

"That's Stella, his girlfriend." I glance up at Everett and he's staring at me.

This guy's a wizard.

"Sit here. Let me go get you something from the fridge."

I do as instructed and soon, I'm left alone in the middle of so many strangers. I suddenly grow aware of my surroundings and rub my shoulders.

I glance over at Cole and his girl. They're making out now. I smile. Oh, how I love love... even though it never seems to work out for me.

"Hey, pretty."

I look up to find a tall guy with gelled dark hair, a sharp jaw, and enough confidence to supply an entire football team. The kind of smile that probably worked on every girl...

Except me.

Yikes. I don't like talking to strangers. It makes me uncomfortable.

"Hi." I manage a smile at him.

Gosh, I hate meeting new people. I hate people. I hate everybody.

"You alone?" He's touching my hair already. Without my consent!

"No." I grimace, shifting uncomfortably.

"Yes, you are." He drawls. "Not anymore, though. I'm here now."

Ugly. The total opposite of Everett.

"Get your filthy hand off her."

The low growl makes my head snap toward the voice.

Everett.

Relief washes over me so suddenly that my shoulders sag. I feel... safe again.

He crosses the room in a few strides and slaps the guy's hand away. And of course, that attracts attention.

"Hey!" The guy turns to look at the intruder, and upon recognizing Everett, his eyes widen.

His gaze drops immediately, he bobs his head in something like an apology, and hurries off.

"You okay?" Everett's voice is nothing like the one he used a second ago. The rough edge is gone.

I nod.

He cups my face gently, his eyes searching mine as though making sure I'm really okay.

My tongue ties itself for a moment...

"I'm fine." I murmur, moving away from his grip.

"Let's get out of here." He takes my hand in his again and leads the way out, carving a path through the crowd while I just follow behind... with ease.

I get the feeling he doesn't want to be here any more than I do. And that he's pissed now, too. Because of what just happened?

The moment we step outside, a sweet, chirpy voice calls from behind us.

We both turn.

It's the blonde girl from the lecture hall. Somehow, I seem to remember every girl who's approached Everett these past few days. Which makes sense... I've been his handbag.

Out of all of them, this particular girl has been rather persistent. She sort of genuinely likes him.

"Georgina. Hey." Everett nods at her.

Oh. So she's the one throwing the party.

Her gaze drops to our intertwined hands, and honestly? I kinda like that she's seeing it. I try to slip my hand out of Everett's grip anyway. Total failure. Not only does he not let go, he tightens his hold.

I glance up at him and his face is already angled down at mine.

When I turn back to Georgina, there's... jealousy in her eyes.

"Everett, you're leaving already? The party is just getting started." She takes a step forward, and Everett pulls me closer.

My heart skedaddles on impact. I can literally hear my own pulse.

"Yes, we're leaving. My girlfriend does not like the crowd."

Huh?! My face snaps up at him, and again, he's already looking at me. Smiling.

I mean... he's right, but...

Now, what on earth is happening to me?

Everett tugs my hand and we walk away. I feel Georgina's eyes scorching my back as he opens the passenger door for me to climb in.

I ignore the urge to glance at her as he rounds the truck and gets in beside me. I look straight ahead as Everett pulls out.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"You good?" He glances at me before returning his gaze to the road.

"I..." My voice comes out in a whisper, so I clear my throat. "Yeah."

The rest of the ride is completely silent.

When we arrive at Oakswood, I slip out of the truck and we enter the house in silence.

"You hungry?" Everett shrugs off his black jacket, revealing the fitted charcoal T-shirt underneath. The fabric stretches lazily over his shoulders and biceps as he tosses the jacket over the arm of the couch.

Right on cue, my stomach growls.

You embarrassing ass. No offense, though... I haven't eaten since noon.

He chuckles. "You can go freshen up while I fix us something to eat."

"Okay." I nod, grab my purse and bag, and head upstairs while he heads into the kitchen.

A while later, I'm done. I slip into my pajamas, glad I remembered to pack them when I went home earlier... along with some other clothes I have no idea why I brought. The deal ends tomorrow. It's not like I'll be sleeping over here anymore...

Stupid.

The smell hits me halfway down the staircase, sweet and warm, and my stomach growls even louder. I walk into the living room just as Everett walks out of the kitchen, carrying two plates of chicken quesadillas.

The smell alone makes my stomach do a happy dance. I can't believe this is the same guy the boys claimed doesn't cook... I mean... he moves like he does this every day.

Soon, we're seated close together on the couch, eating and watching TV. Some Sidney Sheldon adaptation is playing, and we've been laughing at it.

"What's your favorite film of all time?" Everett suddenly asks.

"Love and Basketball." I don't even hesitate.

I looove Love and Basketball.

His eyes narrow.

"You've not watched it?"

"No."

Oh, boring Everett.

"That's the GOAT movie!"

He laughs. "You've watched it that many times?"

"Yup. Enough to recite half the lines."

"Guess I'm watching it then."

"You better."

I laugh, and when we're done eating, we head upstairs. I'm exhausted and can't wait to hit the bed.

The guys still aren't back, and it's past midnight already... and they have a match later today. Crazy.

Just as I open the door to my room...

"Hart?"

I turn.

"Did that guy hurt you?" His voice is filled with... concern. Care.

I stand there for a moment, then shake my head. "You came back before he could get the chance."

I smile, and he smiles too. Genuinely.

The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles.

Funny how I'd never noticed that before.

"Hart?"

"Hm?" I blink.

"If anything like that ever happens again and I'm not there..." He pauses. "Call me."

I stare at him silently. "Okay."

"Goodnight, Hart," he mutters softly.

"Goodnight, Griffin."