Bad Influence (Bad Love 3)

“Because I’m a glutton for punishment,” she answers matter-of-factly.

“Same,” I say, standing to inspect myself in the mirror attached to her dresser.

“Think he’ll be there?” Halston asks, and I know she’s referring to Jesse.

I shrug. “He lives here now. Anything is possible.” I told her about running into Jesse and Sullivan at Blackbear, which led to me telling her a very watered-down version of the events that took place that night.

She stands next to me, checking us both out in the mirror. “We look hot,” she announces. “We’re going to go to this frat house, get drunk, have fun, and pretend they don’t exist.”

“You’re the boss.”

This party is much bigger than the last one. It’s dark as hell, the only lights coming from the black lights that cast a purple glow around the house.

“I spy Jell-O shots!” Halston shouts over the music. We make our way toward the kitchen through the neon-painted bodies, and she plucks two glowing blue cups off the counter. I toss one back, the lukewarm consistency wiggling down my throat.

“Did you know this was a black light party?” I ask Halston. I never seem to know about these parties, but she’s always in the loop.

“Nope.” She shrugs. “But I’m into it.”

The sliding glass door leading to the backyard opens, and even in the dark I can tell it’s Jesse walking through it, Sullivan and a pack of hot chicks right behind him.

“Fuck,” I mutter. Halston, however, has a different reaction. Her eyes light up with mischief as they approach the kitchen. When Jesse notices me, his face splits into a wide smile, his teeth glowing white against the black lights.

“Miss me, Allie Girl?”

“It’s Allison. And not even a little.”

“You wound me.” He clutches his chest dramatically, bringing my attention to the illuminated words written there. Kylie was here is streaked across his skin with an arrow leading down his well-defined abs, past the cut V of his hips, all the way to his crotch.

“Classy,” I remark, peeling my eyes away.

“It’s a gift.” He shrugs unapologetically.

“Hey, Halston.” Sullivan looks her up and down with heat in his gaze.

“Oh. Hey,” she says nonchalantly, barely sparing him a glance before catching my hand in hers. “I love this song! Let’s dance.”

I snort out a laugh as she pulls me into the crowd of bodies. She throws her arms around my neck, glancing back toward Sullivan behind me.

“I thought you wanted to see him.”

“I’m not going to let him know that,” she shouts close to my ear. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

Some random guys join us, and Halston leans into the chest of one of them, putting on a show for Sullivan. When I try to spot his reaction, I catch eyes with Jess, and I’m surprised to see him glaring at me. Hard. I feel my brows scrunch together, confused by his reaction, but I shake it off. The friend of the guy Halston’s dancing with moves closer to me, curling his free hand around the small of my back.

“Nooope.” I laugh, sliding out of his grasp. He’s cute, but I’m not in the mood to be groped by a drunken frat boy tonight. Or ever. He’s persistent, though, and before I know it, he slides in behind me, plastering his front to my back. I can feel his excitement through his jeans and I whirl on him, shoving his shoulders with both hands. The drink in his right hand sloshes over the rim, splashing his shirt with beer.

“The fuck?” he slurs angrily, holding his arms out, looking down at his torso to assess the damage.

“No means no.” I smirk. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jesse standing behind him, off to the side. His arms are crossed, jaw clenched. Did he see the whole thing play out?

“Whatever, you’re fucking ugly anyway.” Someone laughs, and then Halston is next to me, grabbing my arm in silent support. He weighs his options, knowing he has an audience now. “Bitch,” he mutters, turning to leave. As soon as his back is to me, he comes face to face with Jesse who cocks a fist back before sending it straight into his face. Drunk Guy falls backwards into me and takes me down, thanks to the floor that’s slick with alcohol.

To my horror, the music stops, and the lights turn on. Drunk Guy cups his nose, blood running between his fingers and down his wrist. “What the hell, Shep?!”

Jesse lunges toward him, grabbing him by his collar with both fists and throwing him off of me before landing another punch. Sullivan appears, pulling Jesse from Drunk Guy.

“Jesus!” Halston yells, pulling me up from the sticky floor. My skirt and legs are wet, and I lost a boot somewhere.