Page 2

Before he can basically say that he told me so, I turn around in his arms.

Sooooooo dumb.

My breasts definitely grazed his chest in the move and they are now officially jutting out. Like, we’re talking, super happy to see you. His eyes dip, and I can see the twitch of his eyebrow as he takes in my cleavage.

“That’s the thanks I get, Daughtry?”

“Thanks for what?”

“For saving you from the girl.” I’d like to put my hands on my hips to convey my dominance, but there’s not enough room now that he has both palms anchored on the island.

“From that tiny little thing?” His eyes penetrate my soul. Ugh. I hate it so much. “You saved me?”

“Well, it was obvious you didn’t want to talk to her.”

“Was it?” He leans in. “Maybe I was gonna take her home tonight. Maybe you spoiled my fun.”

Well, that thought never once crossed my mind, and now that it has it does not feel good.

Chapter 2

Teegan

I choke-cough instead of snort-scoff, which was my intention. There’s a stinging pang in my chest at the idea of Daughtry taking that other girl home. Which is weird because I’ve known him for like forever. If I wanted a shot with him, I would have taken one. I’m not one to back down from something I want. So this right now, whatever is happening between us, is causing a weird tension in my stomach. Like…a coiling feeling. Like I want to loop my hands around his neck and close the gap between our mouths. Which…

“Teegan?”

At the sound of my name, I finally do let out a huff of air. “Fun? That doesn’t sound much like you.”

“I can have fun. I’m really good at fun. Actually, I really love fun, don’t you?” The way he says fun does not sound like a playful kind of skip through the fields with ice cream fun. Nope. Sounds way more like a tie you to the bed all night while you’re blindfolded fun.

“That’s why I’m here for my second shot, Mr. Safe.”

He nods at something behind my back, so I turn around and see the shotglass. I down it despite the tightness in my throat.

“I’ll be back for more later,” I say more to the island than to him. My body is tense. Hot. Like, super hot. I’m glad I wore a breezy shirt.

“And I’ll be here to cut you off.”

“I can handle myself, Daughtry.” I move to leave the barrier created by his arms, and he doesn’t resist, freeing me up to dance with my girls. Savannah and Baylor join us, though Savannah doesn’t stay too long because her husband wants to go home and sleep. Baylor, Holly, Dakota, and I take a few more shots, all under the watchful eye of Daughtry.

Since he’s counting my shots for me, I quit counting after three.

It does my body and spirit good to dance. I just need a release from all the stress my ex has been causing me lately. It’s been so stressful that even my artwork has suffered. I don’t feel as inspired inside the classroom and I haven’t painted outside of it for weeks now.

Every once in a while my eyes wander from my girl group, and every time they somehow land on Daughtry. I’ve seen him enjoying the night. Talking to friends and even laughing on a couple of occasions. But then for a short time I don’t see him, and I think he’s gone down to watch the game with some of the other guys. I know his brothers Nash and Colter headed down earlier.

So I excuse myself to head to the washroom. And then I take a completely reasonable detour to the basement.

There, I see Daughtry leaning against the back wall with a scowl on his face. I trip down the last step which causes him to direct his pinched brows toward me. But don’t worry, I act totally cool and make my way over to him like it’s no big deal.

He makes some space for me against the wall, but there’s not much with all the other guests there, so my shoulder is brushing against his arm. As if recoiling from the contact, he crosses his arms.

When I check the screen to see what everyone’s watching, I catch the middle of an MMA fight and grimace. The guys are throwing punches at each other so hard that one of the fighter’s heads whips back.

I wince.

“If you don’t like it, why’d you come down here?” Daughtry asks followed by a half frown.