Loyal Heir (The Heirs 4)

My eyes scan over the dancing bodies on the right side of the fire until I find her and Carla doing what looks like a chicken dance.

Shaking my head at their antics, I take a sip of the beer I’ve been nursing for most of the night. Seeing as I’m driving, there’s no way I’m overindulging in anything tonight. My priority is making sure my friends get home safely.

“Hey, Forest,” a girl says as she comes to stand next to me where I’m leaning against a tree. When I just stare at her, she spurts out, “Kimberly. I’m a junior.”

I lift an eyebrow to tell her to get to the point.

“Ah… I just wanted to say hi,” she squeaks before running off.

I shake my head and take another sip from the beer.

I’ve only had one girlfriend, Kennedy Quinn, but her family moved to Europe during our junior year when her father got a better job abroad. Things ended between us, and since Kennedy, I haven’t been interested in any of the other girls at school. They don’t seem to get the message, though. Every day I’m faced with a girl trying her luck. It’s annoying as fuck.

Right now, I’m focused on starting at Trinity, and the last thing I have time for is a new relationship.

My gaze searches for Aria and Carla. When I see a group of guys dancing with them, I keep watching to make sure they’re okay. That’s the problem with having two gorgeous girls for best friends. I’m constantly swatting idiots away like flies. Plus, Carla and Aria have already had too much to drink.

Carla can usually handle herself pretty well. Actually, I’ve seen my cousin knee a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer. It’s Aria I’m more protective of. She’s petite, the top of her head barely reaching my chest. I tried to teach her to punch once, and honestly, she wouldn’t make a dent in a marshmallow. It also doesn’t help that she has big, innocent blue eyes. One glance from Aria and men flock to her.

When I notice Julianne and Kristen walking my way, I let out a sigh.

God, I strongly dislike the two cheerleaders. They never get the damn message I’m not interested. They’re typical socialites in the making, hoping to land a guy who will up their status. My family name draws the likes of them by the dozens.

It’s tiring as fuck and also one of the reasons I don’t date. You never know if they’re only interested in your family’s wealth or if they actually give two fucks about you.

“Why are you standing all by yourself?” Julianne asks. She reaches a hand up and runs a finger down the length of my bicep. “Want some company?”

“I’m good, thanks,” I mutter. “I’m waiting for the girls.”

Julianne glances toward the dancing crowd. “They look a little preoccupied.” A seductive smile curves her lips. “Come on, we can have fun.”

Kristen hooks her arm through Julianne’s. “We’ll definitely put a smile on your face.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Not interested.” For the millionth time.

Julianne tilts her head, her eyes narrowing on me. “Did Kennedy break your dick before she left?”

What the fuck?

“Because you haven’t dated since she moved away. People are wondering why.”

I really couldn’t give a flying fuck.

Wanting to get rid of Julianne before I do or say something I’ll regret, I glare at her. “You’re welcome to fuck off now.”

Annoyed as fuck, I turn my attention back to the dancing crowd. I see Jordan Sprouse, who’ll also attend Trinity Academy, wrap his arm around Aria’s shoulders, and instantly I push away from the tree to move closer.

Jordan’s a nice guy, which means Aria won’t be interested. Nice equals boring to her.

As I come up behind them, I hear Aria say, “Oh, you’ve moved into the dorms already? Damn, we haven’t even started packing our stuff.”

“I wanted to get settled and see where everything is around the campus,” Jordan explains. He looks nervous, and then he asks, “Ahhh… the last time I asked, you said you had to study… So… uhm… will you go out to dinner with me?”

Aria freezes, and her eyes widen with panic.

The poor guy.

I’m not sure even Aria knows what her type is, but it’s definitely not Jordan. She’s probably panicking because she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings by rejecting him outright.

“I’m sorry, Jordan.” A painfully awkward expression tightens her features. “I… I have a boyfriend.”

Technically it’s not a lie. I’m a boy and a friend.

“You do?” Surprise flashes over Jordan’s face. “Shoot, I’m sorry. I thought you were single after you broke things off with Eli.”

God, Eli. That guy was a jerk. I still don’t know what Aria ever saw in him. I’m just thankful they didn’t last long.

Suddenly, Aria blurts out my name, “Forest.”