Caught Up

Chapter Nine

*IF YOU HAVEN'T, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GO BACK AND RE-READ THE LAST PAGE OF CHAPTER EIGHT BECAUSE I CHANGED A FEW THINGS* Now, onto the story.

Caught Up

Chapter Nine

There weren't enough seats in Dawson's truck.

"Are you serious?" Kaylin glared at Dawson. "Why in the hell are you just now considering this?"

Dawson held his hands up innocently, "Ease up, babe. I'm the good guy here for offering everyone rides."

"You're the damn idiot here. That's what you are," Kaylin stated, rolling her eyes at Dawson's ignorance. "Okay, so what's the plan, now?"

"Someone will just have to sit in someone's lap. It'll be fine," Dawson suggested, unlocking the doors to his precious Silverado uncaringly. Kaylin started another glaring contest with him as he did so. "Obviously not you, babe. You got shotgun." She rolled her eyes.

First instinct was to also call "not it" but sensing Johanna about to offer (and knowing which lap it was that she'd be sitting on), I quickly sacrificed my dignity and said that I would. My face got hot as everyone just kind of looked at me in surprise- well, except Kaylin. Sending me a dangerous wink, Kaylin offered no room for question as she agreed enthusiastically before climbing into the truck. Dawson, ever the uncaring one, got in after her.

Connor of course jumped at the chance, "You can sit on my lap, Ana. I don't mind."

Duke scoffed causing me to shoot daggers at him in annoyance.

"Thank you, Connor," I exaggerated the sweetness in my tone, resisting the urge to look over to see the expression on Duke's face, and soon we were all packed together in the truck with me poised on Connor's lap, Johanna in the middle, and Duke on the far right. Feeling Duke's hot gaze on me, I smiled inwardly. Score one for Ana.

Was I being petty? Fuck it. I didn't care.

The ride to Kaylin's was a quick but uncomfortable one. Connor wasn't shy, and he'd immediately wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me so that I was situated right against his chest, much to Duke's clear annoyance. Although I was happy that Duke was obviously bothered, it didn't last too long because as soon as we arrived, he had quickly dispersed from the group, disappearing into the crowd of people waiting on the Daniels' well-tended lawn. So much for the party not starting until ten-thirty.

Kaylin opened the doors to the expensive home and everyone filtered in after her. She immediately turned up the bass as well as pointed out where all the drinks were since she had already set everything up before she left. I had lost sight of Duke, and Johanna had left to talk to some girl from her basketball team.

Handing the three of us beers, Kaylin popped open one for herself before dragging an all-too-willing Dawson to the cleared space in her living room to dance. The music was loud and pulsing- the kind that made you want to just dance with whoever was around. Connor, wearing a sly smile, grabbed my hand and pulled me after them.

Dancing with Connor wasn't hard. It was fun really. He was a good dancer, and he could definitely follow a beat. The only downside was that the longer we danced, the handsier he got. "Work" by Rihanna blasted through the speakers and I rolled my eyes but smiled and continued to dance.

Connor found his way behind me, but I didn't think too much about it as I started moving against him. Kaylin winked at me when she caught my eye and I shook my head at her, laughing and shutting my eyes, continuing to dance to the popular song.

Sweating, I pulled away when the song finally stopped playing and moving over to where the drinks were. Not being stupid to take another drink of the beer I'd left sitting on the bar, I grabbed a fresh mango-rita from the fridge, watching as Connor, who had of course followed me, chugged another beer.

I could tell that he was already buzzed as he grinned lewdly at me.

Kaylin's kitchen was cut-off from the living room with a wall that left about four feet of entry-space, but the wall had a window-like hole in it that allowed you to see through. Another entry-way that twinned the one to the living room was on the opposite wall and lead to a large family room. Not quite feeling up to more dancing, I moved into the casually lit family room. People stood all around, some sitting on couches, just hanging out and talking about the game. There was a game of pool going on on the left side of the room, and a game of COD had been started up on the flat screen TV mounted on the wall.

Recognizing one of said pool players to be Jonah Tulle- a long time friend of mine- I grinned, making my way over to him. Jonah graduated last year from Westgate, so I rarely get to see him anymore since he goes to college across the state at Virginia Tech.

Before I could get further than two steps, I felt a pull on my arm. Turning, I felt Connor's lips immediately slam on mine. I jerked away, shoving Connor on the chest to make sure he got the hint. I guess he didn't because it wasn't a second later that his mouth was coming towards me again.

"Dammit, Connor, I said no." I pushed his face away with my hand.

"God, you're such a fucking tease," Connor scoffed. "Bitch."

Gaping at him, I took a step back, majorly pissed but too shocked to do much of anything. It didn't matter because before I could a large, also majorly pissed off football player had moved between us.

Duke pushed Connor roughly before getting in his face. "What the fuck d'you just say to her? Huh?" Connor stumbled, brown eyes glazed over with drunken anger. "Nothing to say now, big guy?"

Quickly recovering, Connor stood up straighter, moving closer to the enraged linebacker. "Back off, man. What's it to you?" He slurred hotly.

Muscles tensed and ready, Duke threw himself forward, expertly slamming his fist into Connor's jaw. Stumbling, Connor bent, trying to keep himself from hitting the floor at the impact, but Duke wasn't finished, going for Connor's nose this time. Managing to stand up, Connor swung, almost making connection with Duke's cheek, but Duke caught his wrist, throwing Connor's hand down before landing another punch.

Gasping, I tried to move forward to pull Duke away, but Dawson twisted around me before I could even take a step, wrapping his arm around Duke's torso and tearing him away from where Connor collapsed on the ground, holding his nose as blood flowed through his fingers.

A large boy in a letter-man jacket, I recognized him as a friend of Dawson's and clearly a football player, moved forward and lifted Connor off of the ground. He lead him out of the room, but I didn't care enough to watch them until they were gone, instead opting to turn my gaze on Dawson as he attempted to calm Duke down.

Guilt and embarrassment tinged my cheeks red. I had just caused a disruption to the whole party. Dammit, I'd just caused the injury of a well-liked star football player.

I made eye contact with Duke, but he looked away quickly, shoving Dawson's hands away from him and storming out of the room before anyone could say anything.

What the hell had just happened? Feeling everyone's eyes on me, I raced after him.

*****

AN: Another short one, but I hope you enjoyed reading that as much as I enjoyed writing it. Things are just going to get better from here. Also, internet's been down due to storms so I'm just getting this posted. See ya'll again Wednesday!

Nina Dobrev above is Johanna Ingle... Beautiful.

Love ya'll,

Lacey