All The Wild Ones | Wildfire Series

Motif

GRAYSON

The masks that people wore at masquerade balls didn't hide a damn thing. I hated how in TV shows and movies they made it seem like that little strip over the eyes could actually trip up someone's identity.

A mask like that could never hide Nessa from me. After all, I'd spent too many goddamn nights lying awake, thinking about those lips of hers. Tonight they were red and pouty, matching a dress that plunged in the front, revealing more of her than I cared to share with the world.

Seeing Nessa walk into the gala was a punch in the gut. A hurricane of emotions. I'd known she was going to be here tonight. I'd seen her carrying the gala flyer in the hallway that day. But holy shit, she was a vision. A vision on some other guys' arm.

I almost missed a note.

Almost.

And then that blonde dude who walked like he had a stick up his ass kissed the back of Nessa's hand like he was Prince Charming or some shit, and I did miss a note.

Not that anyone noticed.

When my theory professor asked if I wanted this gig at the Cardairel Hotel, I snatched up the opportunity as fast as I fucking could. Making a handful of cash to do something I loved and scoring a chance to see Nessa? It was a no-brainer.

Not to mention, I needed the distraction. Something hadn't been sitting right in my chest for over a week, and I finally caved, scheduling an appointment with Dr. Martinez. And then I came back afterward to Nessa screaming at me in the hallway for something I didn't even do. And fuck if that didn't make my heart hurt even more.

Concentrating on this Debussy piece was damn hard when all I wanted was to keep an eye on the table where Nessa sat. When I'd first caught sight of her, she was beside Madie and across from Beau, and I relaxed, getting lost in Debussy again. She was barely even talking to Prince Charming.

But then I started the Liszt, and by the time I'd finished, packed up my things, and found the event coordinator to relieve me, the lights had dimmed. And I looked over to see Nessa sitting alone.

Well, Beau was there. But he was laughing with a curly-haired girl across the table from Nessa. Madie was there, too, but she was lounging on the lap of a guy I didn't recognize. They seemed...well-acquainted.

Nessa had an odd look on her face as she looked across the table at her friends, and I strode across the ballroom with determination.

"My date was sitting there, Grayson," she scoffed when I dropped into the seat beside her.

Not a lick of surprise crossed my face. Instead, I flashed her a grin. "He's not here now."

As soon as the words slipped through my lips, I bit my tongue. Sadness leaked into Nessa's eyes. And I hated it, even more than I hated that she was sad about some other guy.

"His loss," I murmured, trying to make up for my other comment.

Nessa flashed me a dismissive look, but I didn't miss the way her lips wobbled. This girl was always trying to be tough and hard when really she was soft and sweet.

"Fuck, they barely lasted like ten minutes!'

Beau's outburst across the table had Nessa's face lighting up and both of us swiveling to see him staring after Madie and the guy I didn't know. They were making their escape, crossing the dance floor in quick steps.

"That's fifty dollars. Pay up, B!" Nessa said with a laugh. She stuck her hand out, wiggling it in Beau's direction.

He groaned in response, turning back toward us. "Girl, you know I don't carry cash."