His Jaguar Tattoo

Party Crasher

Sweat gathered on Zuri's spine, dampening her dress where it touched her back. She cringed at knowing how gross she probably looked. At least she was having fun for once. As she looked back over her shoulder at the dance floor, she smiled to herself.

Addison was still dancing, teasing the boys who were trying to do it with her. Her best friend reminded Zuri of who she was without Drew. Kevin helped, too. This was the first time they'd been separated tonight. She scanned the room but couldn't spot him anywhere.

Movement from the opposite side of the room slowly drew Zuri's attention. Her gaze landed on college students shooting dirty looks while pressing their backs against the wall. The subject of their scrutiny soon came into view. Drew Benson strode into the cramped living room wearing the most threatening glare she'd ever seen.

Though hardly anyone else noticed, Zuri felt herself freeze up. She gulped. He looked like he was ready to rip someone's throat out. Probably hers. What was he doing here anyway? The driver was supposed to be the one to come and get her when the hour was up. Admittedly, however, it seemed like she'd been dancing for much longer than that.

A hand grabbed hers and Zuri glanced up, half-expecting Drew to have teleported across the room. Instead, she found herself meeting Kevin's bright blue eyes. His lips were curled back in a grin. It was no longer a mystery: he definitely had a crush on her. Zuri was still trying to figure out why, though.

"Ready to get back at it?" Kevin asked, gesturing to the dance floor.

"Actually," she replied, "I have to leave."

"What? You're leaving already?"

She bit the inside of her cheek and looked at the place where she'd last seen Drew. Now he had vanished. Terrific.

"I'm sorry." Zuri squeezed his hand. "I had a lot of fun. Thank you. Tell Addison I love her."

"Just tell her for yourself," he said before gently ushering her towards the dance floor.

Shaking her head, she tried to slip out of his arms. "Really, I have to go. My dad gave me this wretched curfew and—"

"I'll take you home and apologize myself." Kevin brushed her cheek with his thumb. "One more dance, Zuri. Please?"

She wasn't really given a chance to respond. Addison appeared from nowhere, grabbed her free hand, and tugged her under the disco ball. Though music thudded in her ears, it no longer incited a fun feeling. It just made her more stressed.

Kevin and Addison sandwiched her between them as they exercised their rudimentary dance moves. Every time Zuri tried to wiggle her way out, they moved in closer. She was still squirming against Kevin when another figure stepped up to the group, casting a shadow across her face.

"Can we help you?" Kevin asked the furious Drew, who he didn't know.

"I'm simply here to collect my fiancée." Drew's words were icy with thinly veiled rage.

"Your fiancée?"

Zuri took a deep breath. This wasn't embarrassing at all. She stepped out from between her friends, shyly meeting Drew's gaze. When she turned back to the other two, they were staring at her under confused expressions.

"I have to go," she told them. "Bye."

"Wait!" Kevin grabbed her wrist.

Evidently Drew didn't appreciate that very much. He grabbed Kevin's arm and squeezed until he released Zuri. Kevin could only stare at him, stunned.

"Let's go," Zuri pleaded, taking Drew's hand. "Please. Let's leave."

Drew's jaw clenched and unclenched as he weighed his options. At last, he turned around and stormed out of the house, jerking Zuri along. They didn't slow until his Audi was in reach. Drew ripped open the passenger door and burned her with a glare.