The Start of Time

Chapter 22

"Hey," Chance and Stella spurt simultaneously, meeting us at the door like parents when you bring your first friend over for a play date.

The music isn't quite as loud as usual, probably because Declan isn't in charge, but I still have to muster a half yell and listen intently to piece together what people are saying. I don't even try to fight it when Gen pulls me off towards an area that's just a tad bit quieter, shooing Declan off to do his thing. Codependency isn't my thing, and being the center of attention is his.

Honestly, I need a break from all the dangerous thoughts erratically spinning around in my head whenever he's near, and listening to her drone on about the list of guys she's had to fight off this week is a good enough distraction. Maybe I can live vicariously through her, fighting off feelings that I shouldn't have.

She's probably the only person on this planet pickier than I am, and as gorgeous as she is, she has plenty of reasons to be. If there's anyone who can make me feel better about my nonexistent love life, it's Genevieve.

The tiniest part of me needs to tell her about Declan, but as rational as she is, there's only two ways that she can react. Either she'll get super excited about something that can never happen or she'll jump straight into worrying about all the red flags I've already made a pros and cons list about. Neither of which will help me.

Two strong arms wrap around my upper body, and I immediately know whose chin is resting on my shoulder, leaning half of his weight onto me.

Speak of the devil.

"Come dance with me." He whispers playfully, giving me those gorgeous, imploring eyes when I tilt my head.

"Mmm, let me think." I ponder sarcastically. "Hard pass."

He chooses to disacknowledge me while asking Gen, "Can I borrow her for a minute?"

"Help me!" I mouth silently, but dramatically, to Gen while she just laughs at my facial expressions as Declan drags me through a small crowd.

Once we reach somewhere deep inside the eye of the storm of horny dancers, I lean towards him nearly yelling, "Don't you think you've tortured me too much already? Grind lines in high school were enough."

Without warning, Declan spins me around quickly, places his hands on my hips, and pulls my body flush against his own. This is beginning to feel wildly intimate, and I'm fighting against the way he leaves me breathless with every touch. Half of me wants to give into every temptation I've been holding back since we kissed, and the other half knows getting my hopes up is only going to screw me over.

While I haven't acquired sexy dancing skills, the music is familiar and easy to move to. The baseline pulses with my heartbeat, and every small move is somehow reciprocated by Declan behind me, the friction eliciting the best and worst response.

I need to stop this before it escalates too far.

Maybe face to face would be better, but when our eyes meet, time has stopped. We're the only two real people in the room, the rest of them moving in slow motion blurs. He pulls me closer, and I quickly have to catch my breath, gasping for cool air.

I really need to get out of here.

"I need to pee," I blurt.

"Umm, okay." His face contorts in confusion when he pulls his hands off of me.

I'm a fucking idiot. Why would I say it like that? I don't even have to go to the bathroom.

As I begin to make my way towards a hallway, I run directly into Maverick. "Woah, is everything okay?"