Warmth (Cheer Legacy Trilogy #1)

5.

It's eleven-thirty when I reach the lake house, and the party is in full swing. There are couples everywhere, then groups of guys over by the kegs, and red plastic cups dotted around. I hear loud music blaring club music from the inside and I make my way over. 

The music is louder inside, and there are bodies dancing and grinding and gyrating in the big hall. Some of them recognize me as their classmates, and wave. I wave back and smile, searching for Chelsea. 

"Hey! Pippy, right?" 

I startle, then look up. Oh, it's the cheer squad captain. "Yeah, hi. I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."

The girl laughs, and I'm reminded of how beautiful she is. There's a guy behind her, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. I think he's one of the seniors. A football player, if not mistaken. "I'm Tiffany Morris. I have to say, I was really impressed with your routine. And your execution was just perfect!" 

I smile and nod. "Thanks."

"So what makes you choose cheer? I mean, it's obvious you're good, but like, why did you start?" Tiffany bats the guy away when he starts grinding on her. "Matt, get lost. I'm having a conversation."

Matt growls, flips her the finger, then saunters off to find someone else to grind on. I smirk. Ah, athletes. I'd forgotten how wild parties can get. In fact, I see a few girls dancing on the bar top in their bikinis. 

"It's a family thing," I tell Tiffany. "My mom was one, and my grandmother, and so on."

"Ah," her eyes sparkle. "We have a legacy in our midst."

I grin. That's so not how you use that word, but ah well. "So, where can I get a drink?"

Tiffany links her arm through mine. "Follow me. What do you prefer? Beer? Tequila shots?"

I think about it. "I think I need some shots. Everyone's so far ahead of me," I chuckle. I see a couple eating each other's faces. I'm guessing the place ran out of rooms, seeing as no one is telling them to get one.

"Hey, bartender!" Tiffany yells at the guy behind the bar. Oh! It's one of the soccer guys. 

The guy smiles lazily at Tiffany, then his eyes slide over to me, widen, then his smile widens. "Hey, Tiff. New blood?"

Tiffany giggles. "Yeah. She's our new member. She's really good, too!" 

I blush a little. "Tiffany," I say. I want her to stop. She winks at me and nudges me forward. 

"Give her a shot, Luke." Tiffany waves her spirit fingers at me. "I gotta go socialize, bye!"

"So," Luke leans forward, ignoring the girls dancing on the bar, his eyes latched onto mine. "New kid? I'm pretty sure we'd all know you by now if you went to our school."

"Why's that?" I ask warily. "You're not the first to say that."

Luke smirks. "You're the prettiest thing I've ever seen. No way that'll go unnoticed. Plus, a cheerleader. Name one cheerleader who isn't popular."

I shake my head and laugh. "I'm not--ugh. Whatever," I grin. "Can you make a blow job?"

Luke's eyes widen. "Are you offering?"

"I meant the shot," I roll my eyes. 

Luke chuckles and gets to work. I sit at the bar stool, admiring the way his muscles ripple when he handles the bottles. He makes a tray of six shots, then holds them out to me. He takes one, hands it to me, then takes another and clinks my glass.

"To the new girl," Luke gives me one of those sexy, lazy smiles and we both throw it back. I swallow, then Luke grabs the back of my head and pulls me forward. He mashes his lips on mine, and I taste the sweetness of the whipped cream. His lips are warm, moving with mine, and his tongue probes along my bottom lip.