If I’d Known (Cursed 1)

"Hey, Lana."

A shiver shoots down my spine.

"How do you know me?"

He doesn't pull away. My mouth is so close to his skin, I could easily suck on his neck.

"Who doesn't know you?" he says, his voice a low rumble that sends a jolt through my heart. He leans away to look me in the eye.

I laugh. "Just about everyone here."

"This isn't usually your scene." There's an ease rolling off him, like he's comfortable with the attention. He's definitely getting plenty of that from just about everyone around us--for completely different reasons than I am.

"No, it isn't." I nod toward Tori, who's laughing flirtatiously at something Lincoln said, placing her hand on his arm. "Being a good friend. So you're the Joey Harrison? I thought you were a myth."

He laughs, standing to his full height. And I'm regretfully aware of the distance between us.

"Yeah, I don't come home much anymore."

"Where do you hide?" I take a gulp of the chilled beer, needing to cool down.

"I go to a private school up north."

I smirk. "Of course you do."

He narrows his eyes, confused by my response.

"I'm glad you're here." He hasn't glanced around once.

I can't say I'm uncomfortable with his unwavering attention, but it's definitely intense.

"Are you now?" I tease with a grin, trying to appear unaffected.

He flashes a devilish smile before taking a sip of his beer. "Want to get out of here? We were thinking of trying another party."

"Who's 'we'?" I've learned that committing to leaving with a group of guys can lead to complications later.

"Lincoln, me and Vic." He nods to the guy leaning against the counter across from us.

I hadn't noticed him before now. He stands out worse than I do in his leather jacket with his clean-shaven head and a large tattoo scrawled up his neck and etched across his skull. He looks like sunshine walking. By that I mean, depressing as hell.

"I'm not sure what we're doing, but we're leaving as soon as our friend gets here." I scan the kitchen and locate the clock on the microwave. "Which should be soon."

Joey pulls his phone from his pocket, examining the screen. "Excuse me a second?"

"Take all the seconds you need," I tell him, impressed by the request.

He has more manners than most adults I know. But then again, I work at a dive bar.

Joey exits the sliding door onto the deck, his phone to his ear.

I glance over at the scowling mass across from me and try to figure out how that friendship happened. Vic doesn't make eye contact, but I can almost hear him growling. Charming.

"Where's Joey? I saw him talking to you," Tori asks, appearing out of nowhere. "Please don't tell me you pissed him off already."

"I'm not that big of a bitch," I reply defensively.

Tori shoots me a look, silently challenging my statement.