Holding On To Heaven (Allendale Four 2)

Music pulsed down the street, vibrating and loud before we even arrived. Groups of students walked up and down the street headed to different parties. The whole thing gave me flashes of PTSD and I kept looking for Spencer or Mark to stumble out of one of the massive homes, secretly recording all my moves. Spencer wasn’t here, though. After doing a short stint in juvie, his probation required him to stay close to Allendale for the next year.

“Why did we come again?” I asked.

Amber linked her arm with mine. “Because Jackson talked you into it and you have a very hard time saying no to that boy.”

I rolled my eyes—mostly at myself, because that was true. “Too bad he doesn’t have the same problem.”

“Still haven’t talked to them?” she asked.

“No. Not yet.”

As we approached the loud party it didn’t seem like tonight would be the night, either. Hayden’s frat wasn’t exactly typical since it was made up of just the soccer players. He’d spent the last few weeks juggling his practice schedule, rushing, and initiations. I thought the other guys may get upset knowing he’d be with new friends and teammates, but their bond was stronger than that. I just hated how busy he was all the time.

“Hey,” I said, sidling up to Anderson, who was waiting out front. He looked amazing. Tall and lean. If the other girls knew about the swimmer’s body he had hidden under that light blue T-shirt, they’d lose their minds.

He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a hug. In my ear he whispered, “You look fantastic and a little nervous.”

“You too.” Parties weren’t Anderson’s thing any more than they were mine. But we supported one another and Hayden invited us. We couldn’t say no.

He pulled back and said hello to Amber and the other girls. They eyed us suspiciously. Ruthie didn’t hold back. “Another handsome boyfriend? You’ve got to teach me your methods.”

Anderson had never been one to play it cool. He was incredibly literal. Loyal. And incapable of lying. Thankfully, Amber interrupted. “Hey Anderson, I didn’t think they let you guys out past six. Don’t you have to get up at dawn for training?”

“Oh, you swim, right?” Samantha asked. “Heaven mentioned she had a friend on the swim team.”

“Olympic development,” I added. “He doesn’t drink. Or party. Or really do anything fun. Total nerd.”

He feigned hurt, but it was enough to make my suitemates head up the path to the house. Amber winked and followed.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into his chest. His voice was low and deadly. “I may not do anything fun, but I do you.”

His ja

w tensed, like he was seconds from breaking the deal for no public displays. Anderson was right. He did do me and it was amazing. Every time I looked at him, a small knot of want twisted in my belly.

“So,” I said, easing away from him, because now was not the time nor place. “Since you’ll be heading to bed soon, we probably should go find the others. Check out Hayden’s new digs?”

His eyes held mine for a beat longer. “That’s the plan—unless you had something else in mind?”

“Nope. This is perfect. And be nice,” I said, then added, “And no flirting with other girls. And no drinking because you do have to get up early tomorrow.”

His forehead furrowed and it was adorable. “Since when do I flirt with other girls?” I looked up on the porch of the house where a dozen college girls stood around. All beautiful. Many available. He sighed and rubbed his neck. The Allendale Four were well acquainted with female attention.

“You may not flirt with them, but I suspect you’ll have the opportunity.” I smiled mischievously. “It’s not fair to lead them on.”

“Don’t worry, I suspect I’ll spend most of my time keeping Jackson and Hayden from punching any guy that looks your way.”

“College is going to be tough, isn’t it?”

I knew he wouldn’t cheat, but a guy like Anderson? He was drop-dead gorgeous. Chiseled jaw, brilliant eyes, killer body. Oh, and he was broody, which drove me absolutely fucking crazy all through high school—so I got the appeal. He’d have a million girls chasing him around by the end of the night, and the ones not chasing him would be eyeing the others. But we would deal with it. We’d all deal with it.

A hulking figure pushed through the crowd on the porch. “Excuse me. Sorry. Oops! That was your foot, sorry man.” Hayden appeared, beaming down on us with a smile.

“Heaven!” he called, running down the stairs and giving me a massive hug. He lifted me in his strong arms. “You came.”

“Of course I came,” I said, rolling my eyes, well aware of the scene we were making. I tapped his shoulder. “Can you put me down?”

“I can, but I sure as hell don’t want to.”