Never Have You Ever (The Love Game Book 1) Read online

  “That’s what you want to focus on?” The timbre of my voice dropped at her proximity.

  She nodded as her hand came up to lightly trace the buttons on my shirt.

  I watched her hand slide down my shirt for a second before I put my fingers around hers, stilling her descent. Then I looked up so I could see her gorgeous face.

  “It probably makes me sound like a creeper, but it’s hard for me to look away from you. Whenever you’re in the room, my eyes are drawn to you. Even when you’re dancing with assholes, I can’t seem to look away.”

  “Drew,” she said on a whisper.

  “I’m sorry if that’s weird or wrong or whatever. I can try to—”

  “Drew.” My name came out more forcefully this time, and I shut up and gave her my attention. “I like your eyes on me.”

  “Yeah?” I asked as a smile I couldn’t possibly have repressed spread across my face.

  “Yeah.”

  I’m not sure which of us moved first, but in the next instant, we were kissing. Maybe we both moved at the same time, our bodies in such sync that the timing couldn’t help but be fluid and exact.

  Her lips were soft and pliant under mine as we teased one another’s lips with light kisses. Needing her closer, I brought my hand up to cup her jaw, my fingers gently weaving into her hair and bringing her more firmly to me.

  Her lips opened on a gasp, and I deepened the kiss, allowing my tongue to tangle with hers. Her hands fisted the front of my shirt much like they’d fisted the back earlier, but I was glad that the cause was due to passion this time.

  Kissing her like this was a gift I never thought I’d receive. So much between us was complicated, but this…this was simple.

  My body tingled with the sensation of sharing breath with her as our lips danced together. It felt as though we’d been building to this moment since we met, and we’d finally gotten out of our own way.

  Neither of us pushed to take things further. Hands didn’t wander, and bodies didn’t gyrate. We seemed to agree that this was enough. At least for now.

  There was no need to push anyway. We had time if we decided we wanted it. I already knew I did, but it was a discussion that needed to be had. Later. I was too busy memorizing the feel of the delicate bow of her lips as they pressed against mine to get too far ahead of myself.

  Eventually, the kiss slowed, and after a few light pecks, we both drew back. Her eyes remained closed for a bit longer, and she didn’t release her hold on my shirt. We stayed close, breathing one another in, perhaps both a little afraid of breaking the spell between us in case we never found the right means to bring it about again.

  When her eyes did slide open, a smile accompanied. “That was…wow.”

  “Definitely ‘wow.’”

  “I wanna do it again,” she whispered as her forehead rested against mine.

  “Me too.”

  “Really?” She sounded surprised, which was baffling.

  “I basically admitted to stalker-like behavior earlier. You really thought I was going to say no?”

  “I just…things between us are—”

  “Weird? Fucked up?”

  “I was going to go with complicated, but it’s those things too.”

  There was so much that could be said—needed to be said—but maybe all that could wait. The circumstances were messy, but the truth behind them didn’t need to be. “Now that I’ve had a taste of you, I’m not going to be able to stop unless you tell me to.”

  She searched my face for a second, and I prayed she found whatever she was looking for. When she smiled widely, I guessed she had. “I don’t want to stop.”

  Using the hand I still had resting against her jaw, I pulled her to me. “Good,” I said against her lips before I took her mouth again.

  This kiss was as unhurried as the one that preceded it, but there was something more to it. Maybe it was the promise behind it—that we were in this together for however long we both wanted to be here.

  Our lips slid together in a rhythm that showed how good we were together. There was none of the clumsiness of typical first kisses. Well, second kisses. Sophia and I had found our groove weeks ago, so it shouldn’t have surprised me that the expression of that was seamless.

  Our tongues flicked over and over as we tried to devour each other. And when we pulled apart for good a short while later, my lips sore but tingling, we remained standing as we swayed to music only our bodies could hear. But exhaustion finally pulled us under, and we broke apart, neither of us saying anything because words would only ruin things.

  And this night was too special to ruin.

  Chapter Twenty

  D R E W

  “You sure I look okay?”

  I ran my fingers through my now blond hair. Sophia had straightened it for me so I could part it over completely to one side. How any woman found Justin Bieber hot remained a mystery to me. Especially because I was now convinced he looked like a butch Miley Cyrus.

  “Yeah.”

  Sophia was busy playing with her own hair in the mirror by our apartment door, adjusting the strands of her wig until she found what seemed to be an ideal spot on her shoulder or back. She didn’t look like Beyoncé necessarily, but she did look hot as hell.

  “You don’t sound sure.”

  “Will you please let me draw some tattoos on you or something before we go? Justin has both sleeves done.”

  “I am not letting you come near me with any markers. I’ve seen you doodle a few times, and it looks like something a preschooler did while tripping on acid.”

  She was still facing the mirror, but she turned to face me after my comment, giving me one of those tight-lipped grins that made me wonder if she was getting ready to burst out laughing or deciding how to dispose of my body.

  “You love my drawings,” she said.

  I saw my eyebrows raise in the mirror. “I love many things about you. Your art isn’t one of them.” As soon as I’d spoken, I knew the question was coming, and I searched my brain for an appropriate way to respond.

  “So what are these things you love about me?” she asked.

  Her question had been asked casually, though I had a feeling the answer meant more to her than she was letting on. She walked over to the chair and grabbed the jean jacket she’d tossed over the arm, but she never looked away from me. Maybe she was scared I’d escape out the window if she took her eyes off me. I’d thought about it.

  Though Sophia and I no doubt liked each other more than friends or pretend siblings, we hadn’t exactly vocalized our feelings for each other any more than we had last week after we’d come home from Tonic.

  Since then, the tension between us had built gradually. We’d sit next to each other on the couch, close enough to put a hand on the other’s leg but ultimately holding back.

  I’d come out of the bathroom the other day, towel around my waist, and I could see Sophia’s eyes dart toward the laptop on her lap as I walked by to grab clothes because I’d forgotten to bring them in when I’d showered.

  We’d both steal glances at the other however we could or the occasional touch to an arm or back, but neither of us took anything further.

  Sophia pulled on her jean jacket—unfortunately covering her exposed back where her tight black leather dress dipped down almost to her ass—and stared at me expectantly. I’d been so lost in admiring her, I’d almost forgotten I was supposed to answer the question.

  Say something. Anything. Well, maybe not anything. Don’t say boobs.

  “Your sense of humor.” Good boy. Totally innocent.

  She cocked her head to the side like I’d just told her my dog ate my homework. “You’re saying that because you think it’s what I want to hear.” She slipped her bright yellow stilettos on, and I wondered if she’d be taller than me in them.

  “Am not,” I replied, sounding like a second grader.

  “Bullshit, Bieber. Tell me what you really like about me.”

  “Those heels, for starte
rs,” I joked, but I wasn’t really kidding. I’d probably jerk off to them later. There’s a first for everything. Though it was more how they looked on the legs they were attached to that made me wish I wasn’t wearing fucking skinny jeans.

  I hoped Sophia couldn’t tell how turned on I suddenly was. Or maybe I hoped she could.

  “Fine,” I said, rolling my eyes as if revealing my thoughts was more of an inconvenience than it actually was. “Like…pretty much everything about you. How beautiful you are…and smart…how resilient.” I knew she didn’t think these things about herself, so it was suddenly extremely important to me that I said them. “You are funny,” I said. “I swear. But sometimes you don’t mean to be, which only makes it cuter.”

  When I’d finished speaking, both of us were quiet for a bit before Sophia let out a soft, “Thank you.”

  “Sure,” I replied. I moved toward the door, opening it for her so we could head downstairs to meet up with everyone before walking to the party. “There’s a lot to like about you.”

  She walked toward the door, grabbing her small bag on her way and giving me an appreciative smile that spoke more than words could.

  And because I was a sarcastic asshole whose superpower was ruining a moment, I added, “Except your art. No one could like that.”

  She shook her head and smiled, and we headed toward the stairs until Sophia stopped to check her phone.

  “Taylor just texted. She said she’ll meet us downstairs in a few minutes.”

  “I’m surprised she made it in time.” I was surprised she was coming at all.

  “Me too. Guess it worked out better that she got ready before she drove up. I can’t wait to see what she looks like. I told her to send me a pic, but she never did.”

  Driving four hours dressed as Michelle Williams after a day of classes wasn’t something that seemed particularly comfortable to me. Granted, I’d never actually been in an outfit like that before—a fact I was thankful for—so I couldn’t say for sure.

  When we got to the bottom of the stairs, I pulled the door open and held it so Sophia could walk out.

  She turned toward me. “You know, you could always say Taylor’s your date. We’ll just say she’s one of Justin’s musical exes, like Selena Gomez or something.”

  “It’s all right. You and Aniyah need a third member of Destiny’s Child, right?”

  She shrugged. “Not really. Girl groups drop members all the time.”

  “It’s fine. I don’t mind not having a date.” Especially if that date couldn’t be Sophia. We stood near the wall of the building, and I put my arm around Sophia because it was colder than I expected. It was a good thing she’d brought a jacket.

  She leaned against me, snuggling up to me as best she could while standing on a public street, and I wrapped my arms around her.

  The moment was perfect until…

  “Are you Brody?”

  I let go of Sophia so abruptly, she nearly fell over. Once I made sure she was standing straight, I looked up to see a tall, thin man wearing a brown wig he’d pulled into a high ponytail.

  I looked him up and down as I tried to figure out why this guy wearing ripped skinny jeans and an oversized white sweatshirt would be asking me if I was Brody.

  “Depends who’s asking,” I said, sounding more curious than anything else.

  He did a little curtsy type of gesture and smiled widely. “I’m your plus one.”

  “I’m sorry, you’re my what?”

  “Carter sent me,” he clarified, clearly assuming Carter had told me he was sending a date for me.

  “Oh, um…I didn’t realize…” Carter has a death wish, but I managed to stop myself from finishing my thought.

  “Sorry to surprise you like this. Carter’s in one of my classes, and he told me he had a friend who needed a date to a costume party tonight, and I was free, so…” He held out his arms. “Here I am.”

  I glanced at Sophia, who was fighting back a smile.

  “That’s great.” I tried my best to sound excited, but it came out flat. “We’re just waiting for a few others before we head over. I’ll have to text Carter a thank-you.” Or stab him in a dark alley and leave him for dead.

  “Yeah, Carter’s a great guy. We talk all the time in class. It’s a shame he’s straight.”

  He probably wanted me to agree, but I had limits.

  “Oh, this is my sister, Sophia,” I said instead. “Sorry, I should’ve introduced her.”

  “Great to meet you,” he said with a wave. “And I haven’t even told you my name, so I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m Joey.” Then he turned to me. “But tonight I’m your Selena Gomez.”

  S O P H I A

  Getting into Aamee’s party was proving more difficult than I’d expected.

  “Destiny’s Child is a trio, not a duo or couple,” she told us. “If you can’t follow a theme, you can’t come in.” She looked to either side of her at two of our sorority sisters for confirmation. They both folded their arms in solidarity with Aamee, whose smile looked like Hannibal Lecter’s before he sat down to a dinner of human flesh.

  I hated that Aamee was so petty, but there wasn’t much I could do. It was her event, and she enforced the rules. And much like at the sorority house, the rules she chose to enforce were fucking stupid ones.

  “What do you wanna do?” I asked the others as I tried to think of the simplest solution.

  As much as I didn’t want to attend any event that Aamee was in charge of, the competitor in me felt differently. I was still planning the bachelor auction, and knowing what Aamee got wrong and right would benefit me in the long run.

  “I can leave,” Aniyah said. “That makes the most sense. Taylor drove all the way here.”

  “You look fab,” Taylor told her. “No way you’re leaving.”

  Aamee was still looking at us as we decided what to do, but after a line began to form behind us, she said, “You’re gonna have to get out of the way so other people can get in.”

  When we did, people flooded past us. Aamee didn’t even question who they were as she let them in, bucket in hand as she asked for donations like she was a subway musician without the talent.

  Some people tossed in a five or a ten, but most, it seemed, just threw in a dollar or two as their entry fee. Then they headed over to the Halloween backdrop to get their picture taken with their date.

  We watched from the front lawn in silence.

  “Let’s text Xander,” Aniyah suggested.

  “And say what?” Drew asked. “He said he didn’t want to go.”

  Aniyah was already pulling out her phone. “He said he’d think about it.”

  “He did,” Drew said. “The fact that he’s not here should tell you what his decision was.”

  “We can tell him we need him to come. I think if he knows we need his help, he’ll do it. He can always leave after we’re in.” She texted rapidly, and when she was finished, we all stared expectantly at her phone for a response.

  It came quicker than we’d anticipated.

  Fine. Who do you need me to be?

  I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but evidently Aniyah had a plan that didn’t require an actual costume.

  Toby appeared with his date a few minutes later, and he seemed happier than I’d ever seen him.

  His date had long dark hair and was dressed in a top that came just below her breasts, displaying abs only a celebrity should have. She looked like she should be walking a runway instead of attending some college party.

  I’d have to ask Drew where he’d found her.

  “Who are you guys supposed to be?” I asked Toby after we’d introduced him to Joey. Toby also introduced everyone to his date, Anna, who Toby made sure to tell us pronounced her name like the character from Frozen.

  “Sonny and Cher,” he said proudly. He was dressed in bell-bottom jeans and a yellow button-down shirt with polka dots and a pointy collar. I could totally see Anna’s resemblance to a young Cher, but Toby,
with his thick faux mustache, looked more like a dude who offered kids candy out of his van than he did the famous singer.

  “You guys look exactly like them,” I told him.

  We all chatted for a few more minutes before Toby asked why we hadn’t gone in yet.

  “You can go,” Drew told him. “We’ll be in soon. We’re just waiting for Xander to come so we can all be duos. Aamee gave the girls a hard time for coming as a trio.”

  Toby deferred his decision to Anna, who said, “Yeah, let’s go in. We’ll have some fun.” She took his hand and practically pulled him toward the entrance.

  We milled around the yard for a while longer until Xander finally showed up. He was wearing jeans and a black T-shirt, which was probably what made Aniyah ask what took him so long.

  “I was researching how to interact with cool kids,” he said dryly as we walked toward the front doors.

  “We’re back,” I announced to Aamee, who looked absolutely livid that we now had an even number of people.

  “And who are you?” Aamee asked Xander.

  “Jay-Z,” Xander said. “I’m with Beyoncé.”

  “You’re not even in a costume.”

  Xander put his hand in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Are you actually debating whether Jay-Z owns jeans and a black T-shirt?” He tossed a fifty-dollar bill into the bucket Aamee was holding.

  Aamee breathed deeply and sighed loudly before saying, “Have fun. Don’t forget to get your pictures taken before you head in.”

  Not wanting to give Aamee anything extra since Xander had already paid so much, I dropped a few dollars in the bucket before heading toward the person taking pictures. We posed for a few different ones, each with our respective “dates” as Aamee requested, as well as a few group shots. Then we headed inside.

  I spent the first twenty minutes or so doing some reconnaissance—studying the decorations, food and beverage offerings, and talking to a few of the people outside of the sorority to get a feel for their thoughts on the party so far. Generally, people seemed to be having a good time.