Friends With Benefits

Chapter 9

Tamara’s POV

I waited by the bar, defying myself not to pursue them with my eyes as they held each other on the dance floor.  It was none of my business, anyway.  She was obviously one of those popular girls, the kind every guy wanted. She’d probably never given Harry the time of day at school, now she was practically dry-humping him.  How could I blame him for taking up the offer of a dance? 

It wasn't like we were exclusive.  I was his friend, I should be happy for him getting cozy with the girl he fancied.  I should give him a pat on the back.  Maybe I should buy him a card.  Hey, Harry, here’s hoping you get the chance to shag her brains out later, wouldn't that be great?  I’d be so happy for you!  Lots of love, the girl you left standing alone feeling sorry for herself in the corner – or Tamara, just in case you forgot my name.

I sighed, glancing down at my feet wretchedly.  Why did it exasperate me so much?  He wasn't mine.  I didn't own him, and he didn't own me.  Wasn't that how I’d wanted it?  No strings attached, no commitments?  I’d never planned for my feelings to get in the way so much.

Mind you, it would help if he didn't push his crotch up on her while they were dancing.  Seriously, who does that?

Maybe I was just being protective, not possessive.  She didn't have Harry’s best interests in mind; she just wanted to be able to say she pulled a member of One Direction.  Harry was like a brother to me, I didn't want to see him get hurt…

Yeah, right.  Brother my ass.  I couldn't even convince myself, so what was the point?

I leaned against the wall, taking a slow gulp of my vodka and coke, keeping my eyes on everything but them.  Really, it was rude of him to leave me here.  I was supposed to be his date for the night and he’d abandoned me.  Somebody definitely was not getting any later, I thought smugly to myself.  My smirk vanished, however, when I realized he’d probably be getting it somewhere else tonight.

“Hey, lovely,” a voice addressed me, and I gave a fleeting glimpse up to see someone I remembered briefly from earlier - a friend of Harry's.

“Hi,” I replied, returning his smile. “You’re Harry's friend, right?”

He nodded.  “I’m Danny.”

I recalled his overly friendly hug from earlier.  “Oh yeah, I remember.”

He grinned, looking down into his pint.  “Has Harry left you all alone, then?”

I shrugged, batting my eyelashes fiercely as I kept my eyes on the floor.  “Yeah, he’s just dancing with that whore.”  I paused, layering on the sarcasm.  “Oh, sorry, I meant girl.”

He laughed, his eyes trained on the two of them swaying on the floor.  “Are you jealous, Miss Gold?”

I glared at him, narrowing my eyes.  “No.  Why would I be?  Harry’s just my friend.”

He smiled weakly.  “Yeah, Harry told me about the whole fuck buddy thing you've got going on.”

My eyes popped open, my cheeks heating in embarrassment.  “Oh.  Right.  Well, you probably think I’m a total slut then.”

He shook his head.  “Nah, Harry’s a charmer.  He could get anyone.”

I grimaced, feeling the bitterness behind it despite how much I told myself that I was not jealous.  “Yeah, anyone,” I mumbled under my breath as I sipped my drink.

He was silent for a moment as I gazed at the floor, trying anything to distract my wandering mind.  That is some really good wood they had here, really brown…very wood-like.