3 Book High School Romance Bundle: A Kiss at Midnight & Prom King & Under My Skin

by Zara Rivas

  "I thought you said Casey was ugly," Erin said, her eyes on Brian.

  "He is," I said through gritted teeth. I was lying, but it didn't matter. I no longer wanted to distract Brian. I wanted to run away. Why on earth could I not escape Casey, no matter what I did? It wasn't fair.

  Brian was laughing now and I opened my eyes begrudgingly. The last thing I wanted was to be made fun of. "Finally," Brian said breathlessly, "Someone who isn't part of the Casey fan club. I thought I was the only one."

  I changed my mind. Yes, I would distract him. I would love to distract him.

  "I think she's part of the fan club. She just doesn't know it yet."

  Brian shook his head, his blue eyes still sparkling. "Well, Katie, I think I have some stories for you."

  Erin had disappeared hours ago. The party was pretty much over, but Brian and I were sitting on a couch in the living room. We had so much to talk about.

  I was in hysterics at a story about Casey's thirteenth birthday party. He had thrown such a tantrum that he hadn't received the present he wanted, an acoustic guitar, that he had completely destroyed his entire party. He ruined the cake, the decorations, and had sent the rest of the kids home in tears. His remaining presents were taken away and he never got them back.

  "So why don't you guys get along?" I asked when I calmed down.

  He shrugged. "It's not that we don't. I just… don't really like him that much. Is that bad? He's my brother and everything, but we're just too different. Everything has to be about him and I got over that along time ago. Maybe he'll change in college." He broke into a huge grin, "I can't believe you though. Man, you had him going so bad." I told him about our escapade in the park as well and took much more pride in it this time around.

  We were enveloped in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was really late and I was starting to feel a little tired, and a little buzzed. I hadn't had a lot to drink, but it was enough for me to feel it. "I wonder what happened to Erin," I wondered aloud.

  He smiled, "She probably won't be back tonight. I can walk you back to her dorm if you want."

  I nodded and yawned tiredly. He smiled and handed me his jacket. "It's gonna be cold," he said.

  I took it was a grateful smile, reveling in the softness. We walked slowly back to Erin's dorm room, talking about nothing in particular.

  "How long are you going to be here?" he asked.

  "Till next Friday," I replied, stopping in front of her door. I was happy she had given me her spare key or I wouldn't have been able to get back in.

  "So maybe I'll see you around?" he asked.

  "Maybe," I smiled.

  Before I could object—though I doubt I would have—he lowered his lips to mine and kissed me softly. It wasn't long or passionate, and I wouldn't have wanted it to be. He pulled back, smiled, said his goodbyes, and left.

  I opened the door to her dorm, smiling to myself. I slipped quickly into my pajamas and slid into bed, feeling exhausted.

  As I shifted, my arm hit my phone and I grinned, turning it on to see if Casey had sent anything back to me. If he wanted to embarrass me, I had a complete arsenal on him. It felt nice to be in control again.

  His message surprised me: 'that sux. if u want some company i could come out there. i have fam i could stay w/.'

  I shook my head and frowned. Did Casey really pass up an opportunity to be a jerk and do something outrageously nice? It was obvious he had by the twisted feeling in my stomach. I almost wrote him back, but when I realized it was nearly four in the morning, I decided against it. I closed my phone and rolled to my side, trying to ignore the guilt I felt.

  Chapter Eight

  I avoided Brian after that night.

  It hadn't been too hard. He hadn't shown up at the dorm or been anywhere in sight on campus. He might have been avoiding me as well. I didn't know.

  I hadn't responded to Casey's text message. He had sent a couple more, but I ignored them. Things had gotten much too complicated and I didn't want to face it. I was in Chicago to see Erin and to tour the school.

  Regardless of my guy problems, I had been having a fantastic time in Chicago. After the tour on Tuesday, which blew me away, Erin blew off her classes and took me to Navy Pier. We rode the Ferris wheel and ate ice cream in the sun. It had been absolutely beautiful out all day and I was thrilled to be spending time outside.

  Erin was telling me about the new guy in her life—the one she had me distract Brian for. I hadn't been listening to anything she was saying. If she noticed, she didn't say anything.

  "Brian called yesterday," she said offhandedly. I shook out of my daze at the mention of one of the Fitzgerald boys. "He asked about you."

  "Yeah?" I replied noncommittally. I wasn't sure I wanted to know what he said.

  "He thinks your avoiding him," she said, a small smile forming on her lips.

  I rolled my eyes. Perhaps I had been avoiding him, but he didn't need to know that. It wasn't all that difficult to avoid someone that I had no way of contacting.

  "I think he likes you," she said, her smile widening.

  I sighed, "No, he doesn't."

  "Don't you think I should have the right to answer that myself?"

  I spun around, surprised to find Brian behind me. He took my breath away for a second—he was so gorgeous that he shouldn't have the right to sneak up on people.

  It took me a little too long to pull my eyes away. He noticed, but he didn't say anything. Casey would've, I thought before I could stop myself. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I get him out of my head?

  "Mind if I borrow her?" Brian asked Erin as if I wasn't there. I wanted to object, saying I minded, but it was a lie. It wasn't that I didn't like Brian, I did. I just didn't know what to do with that.

  Erin just waved us away. Brian's eyes met mine for a second and I found myself following him without question. We walked down the pier in silence. I didn't know what to say.

  "Casey called me yesterday," he said, searching my face for any emotion. I refused to show it. "He asked if he could come stay with me for a couple days. Said someone from school came here for break and he was worried about her."

  I shook my head. "What'd you say?"

  "I said it was up to him. He didn't say one way or another if he was coming," he paused, looking at me again. "He's never done anything like this before, Katie. I think he might actually like you."

  I laughed, "You make it sound so impossible."

  "It's not," he smiled. "You need to be straight with me—do you like him?"

  I didn't respond immediately. "I… don't know," I responded truthfully. I had barely admitted that to myself, but I knew I should tell him.

  "Listen, Katie," he grabbed my hand and we sat down on a bench. "I'm not asking for me. I know that you're here for a week and you might be coming here next year, and maybe we could have a great hook up, but that's really not what I'm looking for. And I don't think you are either," he paused. If he wanted me to say something, to object, I wasn't going to. He was right on. "If there could be something between you and Casey, I'm not going to ruin that. But maybe you should tell him how you feel." He smiled as I shook my head vehemently. "Well, you should at least let him know you haven't died here in Chicago. If he comes out here and finds that we know each other, he's going to be pissed at both of us."

  "So you're not going to tell him that…"

  "I kissed you," he laughed, "No, I'm not. I'm not a glutton for punishment. He'd be furious."

  I nodded and he continued. "But listen, my roommates and I are having a pretty big party tomorrow night. Will you be there?"

  "Sure," I said. I was happy we had gotten this conversation out of the way—it got the issues into the open and put the awkwardness at a minimum, something I was extremely grateful for.

  I walked back to Erin shortly after, unsurprised to find her yapping away on her cell phone. I took mine out of my purse and quickly text messaged Casey back, telling him that I was fine and appreciated his conc
ern. I didn't think much of it when I never received a reply.

  When Brian mentioned his 'pretty big' party, I hadn't thought it would be like this. There were people everywhere—nearly two hundred in a house that wasn't meant for more than ten. There were people outside, of course, but the house was still uncomfortably crowded. Thankfully, Brian had spotted me immediately and hadn't let me leave his side. He was reminding me more of an older brother than anything; he certainly wasn't thrilled with the guys who kept bringing me drinks. He probably was less than thrilled with me for taking them.

  Truthfully though, I was nervous. Erin decided not to go to the party—she had a serious exam the following morning and had done little studying. She was probably happy to have me out of the room as well. I didn't do much but distract her.

  Brian was the only person I knew. I had no idea if he would leave me or not. I kept taking the drinks to calm me, but it certainly didn't take long until I was feeling quite a bit tipsy.

  He was deep in conversation with someone else, but he had his hand on my knee, as if he was afraid he would lose me if we weren't touching. I found I didn't mind much—the more I drank, the more tingly his touch made me feel. Brian hadn't had anything to drink as far as I could tell, but it seemed that he was having a good time.

  When his conversation ended, it was just the two of us for a couple of minutes. He looked at me pointedly, taking the cup from my hand. "I'm cutting you off, Kate."

  I sighed, but didn't object. Somebody needed to stop me. If they kept putting them in my hands, I kept drinking them, just for something to do. It wasn't a very healthy habit. "I'm tired," I said.

  He smiled and tugged me into his lap. I snuggled against him, glad to have something warm to lean against. He seemed to relax slightly, as if he wasn't as worried about me disappearing. A friend of his approached and he was once again deep in conversation, his hand stroking my hair unconsciously.

  It couldn't have been an hour later when I felt myself being lifted up. I could barely offer a complaint. I was so exhausted.

  He carried me upstairs and dropped me unceremoniously on his bed. I glared at him, but snuggled against his pillow immediately, happy to be away from the noise and the lights.

  "You're so good to me," I murmured.

  "Someone's gotta take care of you," he grinned, stroking my cheekbone. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything, okay?"

  "Thanks, Brian," I smiled faintly as he dropped a kiss on my forehead.

  I heard a voice from the doorway and my eyes flew open. "Bri, I just got in. I hope—"

  Brian spun around at the sound of his brother's voice, leaving me in plain sight. I wanted to just pull the blankets over my head and hide, hoping that he would figure he had imagined me there, but I knew it was too late.

  "Are you kidding me?" Casey said, his voice just a little higher than normal. "Out of all the girls for you—"

  "Whoa, it's totally not like that," Brian cut his brother off. "Kate's—"

  "Kate? She let's you call her Ka—"

  "If you'd just list—"

  "No, I won't. I told you about—"

  "Nothing's—"

  "Will you two just stop and listen to each other?" I growled at the both of them, who were stunned into silence. I rolled my eyes. "Casey, I met your brother through my cousin. Funny story really. Nothing is going on. I'm—"

  "Drunk?"

  I shrugged, "Maybe a little."

  "Come on, Bri!" Casey turned on his brother again.

  "Shut up, Casey!" I exclaimed. "Brian has been nothing but great to me. He brought me up here so I could get some sleep. So if you don't mind…" I gestured at the door, feeling my buzz leaving me and wishing it wouldn't.

  Casey's mouth was hanging open when Brian dragged his brother from the room. I snuggled under his blankets, but found it impossible to fall asleep. Of course he had to show up, didn't he? He couldn't just leave things be, could he? I told him things were fine and he still had come all the way to Chicago to do what? What was he trying to prove?

  When the door opened thirty minutes later, I knew it was him. I pretended to be asleep, not wanting to deal with whatever he had in store for me.

  "What does he have that I don't?" he asked. "Why is it always him?"

  When I didn't respond, he scoffed. "I know you're awake. Will you please just talk to me?"

  "Why did you come all the way here?" I asked him, not turning to face him.

  "For you," he admitted without shame. "I was worried. I wanted to see you."

  I didn't respond. I wasn't sure what to say because this side of Casey I wasn't used to. It was much easier to handle his arrogant side. At least then I knew what to expect.

  "Do you like him?" he asked.

  I knew he was talking about Brian and for a second, I almost pretended that I didn't. But I felt that if he could be straight with me, I could do the same for him. "I could."

  It took him a minute or so to continue. "And me?"

  "I don't know."

  He was silent. He hadn't been expecting that. It was the truth and he knew that, but he definitely hadn't expected me to admit it. "Why can you never be straight with me? Is it really so hard to admit that I might not be the jerk you think I am?"

  "I'm being straight with you, Casey," I said quietly, already tired of this conversation. "I don't know. You don't seem to realize that that's quite a big step from where I used to be."

  He sighed dramatically. "What were you trying to pull in the park?"

  I sat up. "The same thing you were. We do this to each other all the time. It's a fucking game."

  He shook his head. "Maybe at first. When I said I was going to kiss you, I wasn't playing anymore. And I don't think you were either."

  "God, what is your problem?" I asked. "What do you want from me?"

  "A chance. You seemed more than willing to give one to my brother," he spat. "What makes me so different?"

  I shook my head. "Forget it. I'm not doing this."

  "What are you so afraid of?" he asked softly, immediately losing the venom in his tone.

  "I have to leave. I probably won't even make it 'til prom, even though my dad says we will," I said exasperatedly. How many times did I have to go over this?

  "I know, Katie. I get it. You have to move. Poor Katie. I've witnessed this pity party already."

  If he thought I was cold before, he had no idea what he was setting himself up for. How dare he assume he understood. He didn't have a fucking clue. He never had to leave friends and family behind. He didn't have to experience it over and over again. I had been lucky enough to experience both ends. I didn't want to leave anyone behind because I knew I would miss them, but I also knew how it felt to be left behind. I wasn't entirely selfish. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone. "Goodnight, Casey." I lied back down, snuggling back under Brian's blankets.

  "No, you don't," he said, losing his patience. Before I could react, he jumped on the bed and straddled my waist, pinning my hands above my head. He was way, way too close. "You can't keep turning away from me. Haven't you figured out that I'm not going anywhere?"

  "I am, you complete moron," I struggled to get out of his grip, but it only caused him to hold on tighter, to get closer.

  "Not yet," he countered. "Why can't you give me a chance now, while you're still here?"

  "Because I don't think I could handle losing you!" I exploded angrily, without thinking. As soon as the words connected in my brain, I wanted to die. I tried to turn away from him, but he wouldn't let me. He released my hands and turned my cheek so I had to look at him. His thumb stroked my cheek softly and for a second, I forgot how completely humiliated I felt.

  It was a long while before he replied. His blue eyes bored into my hazel ones, uncovering every millimeter, every fleck of color. I wasn't hiding my emotions well and I knew it, but I couldn't. Not with him looking at me like that.

  "I'm going to kiss you now," he said seriously, but his eyes were twinkling. "If you want to
stop me, now's the time."

  "Casey?" I said, realizing he was actually waiting for a response this time.

  "Yes?" I could hear the familiar arrogance in his voice and for whatever reason, it reassured me rather than ignited any protest.

  "Please do it before I have too much time to think about it," I tried to keep my cool, but I could hear the slight twinge in my voice. I was basically begging him to kiss me and I didn't care one bit.

  He smiled triumphantly before lowering his lips to mine agonizingly slow. He hovered just above my lips. "Are you sure?"