The Girl Next Door
Chapter 17

Realizing that I've been left to my own devices, I tip my nearly full glass to my lips and take a swig. Then I pull out my phone from my pocket and fire off a quick text before stuffing it back where I found it. With a huff, I spin on my heels and promptly slam into a wall of muscle.

When I stumble back, strong fingers wrap around my upper arms to anchor me in place. I don't have to look up to realize who I've crashed into. The way his fingers burn my flesh is answer enough. A zip of adrenaline shoots through me when my gaze locks on familiar green eyes.

As soon as the attraction flares to life inside me, I stomp it out. You would think the way he dumped me after we had s*x would be enough to kill any tender feelings I'd once held for him, but apparently, that's not the case.

"I didn't expect to see you here." There's a pause as he searches my eyes in the darkness. "It's been a while."

Fifteen months to be correct, but who's counting?

I step away so he has no choice but to release me from his hold before jerking my thumb over my shoulder. "Alyssa dragged me here to see Colton."

He glances toward the newly minted couple. "Yeah, they appear to be going strong. Good for them."

I almost snicker. Really? Good for them? Ha! "For the time being." I can't resist adding, "I'm sure it won't last."

"Wow," he murmurs, raising his hand to scratch his jaw, "that's harsh."

I shrug. I prefer to think of it as being more pragmatic than anything else.

"It's the truth."

Sadness settles over his features. "Mia, do you think we could go somewhere and-"

"Talk?" I lift the glass to my lips and drain the remainder. I need a moment to tamp down all the emotion trying to break free inside me. I'll be damned if I allow him to undo all my progress.

When I'm once again under control, I shake my head. "Sorry, that didn't work out so well last time. Let's do ourselves a favor and leave the past where it belongs. Sound good to you?" "Yeah, sure." His broad shoulders collapse. "If that's what you want."

"It is."

An uncomfortable silence falls over us. When it turns unbearable, Beck clears his throat. "Are you still planning on going to law school?"

Is this what it's come to? Inane chitchat about our majors like a couple of strangers who met at a lame party? Someone needs to pull the plug on this conversation before it can jackhammer to a new level of painfulness. "Yup, still pre-law."

"Ari just started at Stanford. He seems to like it."

"Yeah, I know. I spoke to him this summer about taking the LSAT. We've made plans to get together over Thanksgiving break. He's going to give me some pointers for taking the test. He also invited me to check out the campus since Stanford is on my shortlist." Beck's eyes darken before scouring mine. "You're going to California to visit him?"

"To check out the law school," I correct. It has nothing to do with Ari and everything to do with Stanford. Ari is like the big brother I never had. We got close this summer when we interned at his father's law firm.

"That's great." His voice turns flat. "You guys are a perfect pair."

Huh?

"What does that mean?" I ask.

Wait a minute...does Beck think I'm interested in his brother?

Not that I owe him an explanation, but the words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. "I'm interested in Stanford, not your brother."

"You sure about that?" Bitterness twists his lips. "Ari's a great guy."

That's probably the one thing Beck and I can agree on.

"Not that it's any of your business, but Ari is nothing more than a friend." I snap my mouth closed, irritated with myself for telling him that. After more than a year of separation, it's demoralizing to realize that my attraction to Beck is as strong as it was in high school. "Good." He steps closer, and the distance between us shrinks. "We need to talk, Mia. There are things I need to explain."

Out of nowhere, a muscular arm slides around my shoulders and tugs me close.

"Hey, babe. I've been looking everywhere for you." Arron Reinhold, the guy I've been casually seeing, kisses the side of my face. "Where have you been?"

"Right here, talking with Beck." Even though Arron has never struck me as the jealous type, I add, "We went to high school together."

"That's cool." Arron smiles at Beck before giving him a chin lift in greeting. "Great game this afternoon."

"Thanks." Beck shifts his weight as his narrowed gaze bounces between us.

Needing to escape this situation before it becomes anymore stifling, I shake my empty glass. "Looks like I could use a refill."

Arron nips the red plastic cup from my hand. "Sure thing, babe. I'll grab it for you. Be back in a minute."

I open my mouth to protest, but he's already disappearing through the crowd. Unsure what to do now that my plan has been foiled, I glance at Beck from the corner of my eye.

An amused smile tugs at the edges of his lips as his muscles relax. "He seems like a nice guy."

"He is," I grunt.

"How long have you two been together?"

"I don't know." I shrug and mutter, "A few weeks, maybe." My relationship with Arron is the last thing I want to discuss.

"So, it's not serious?" Beck picks up a stray lock of my hair and twirls it around his index finger.

"It's serious enough." I bat his hand away as my heartbeat picks up its tempo.

He steps closer. His voice lowers, and even though the music is obnoxiously loud, I hear every word, every breath that leaves his lips. The chaos surrounding us melts into nothingness. "What if I wanted another chance?"

Air leaks from my lungs until breathing becomes a foreign concept.

Why is he doing this to me?

Because I'm with someone else?

I force my voice to stay level. I won't give away my inner turmoil. "I'd say that you were s**t out of luck."

With his gaze pinned to mine, he moves closer, invading my personal space. The familiar scent of his cologne wraps around me and clouds my better judgment. When I replace myself swaying toward him, I blink back to awareness and yank myself away from the precipice.

"I f****d up, Mia. What happened between us...it's not how I wanted it to go."

It doesn't matter.

None of his excuses matter.

"I can't do this with you," I whisper as panic surges through me.

"I hurt you, and I'm sorry. I never intended for it to happen."

But it did.

And now it's too late.

I don't realize I've uttered the words until he says, "It doesn't have to be."

This time, he wraps his fingers around my biceps and drags me closer.

Our faces are inches apart. "Give me a chance to make it up to you."

As I stare into his eyes, I'm reluctantly sucked into his orbit. How does he do it? How does he make me forget to take care of my heart?

"Mia?" A voice cuts into my thoughts and brings me crashing back to earth with a painful thud. "Here you go."

Beck's hands fall away. I blink, focusing my attention on Arron, who holds my newly filled cup of beer.

It takes effort to shake off the web that Beck has woven around me before hoisting my smile. My fingers tremble as I take the Solo cup. "Thanks." Arron's narrowed gaze slides from me to Beck and then back again, where it stays pinned. His tone changes, turning gruff. "Everything all right here?" "Yup," I say a little too quickly. "It's fine."

Arron slips an arm around my waist and tugs me close so I'm no longer standing next to Beck. Thick tension blankets the air. Beck's jaw tightens as he glares at the guy at my side. The last thing I want is for a fight to break out, although I have no idea why it would. if reading my thoughts, Arron clears his throat. "There's a game of beer pong going on. Any interest in taking on the winners?"

I'd be up for anything that involves getting away from Beck.

"Sure, that sounds fun." I lean into him, and the concerned expression he'd been wearing dissolves. "Let's go."

Arron drops a quick kiss on my lips before glancing at Beck. The friendliness in his eyes disappears. "Take care, Hollingsworth."

"Will do," Beck grunts.

As Arron steers me through the thick crowd, a mixture of relief and disappointment flood through me, and I can't resist stealing one last look over my shoulder. A shiver scampers down my spine when I replace Beck watching me.

I glance at Arron as we weave our way through the crowd and feel...

Nothing.

Frustration blooms inside me.

I like Arron. He's a nice guy, and we have a ton in common.

Only now do I realize how hard I've been working to talk myself into this relationship. I had convinced myself that he was someone I could get serious with, but after my run-in with Beck, and the feelings that continue to simmer beneath the surface, I understand there's nothing between us but friendship.

What bothers me most is that I might never get over Beck.

I can't imagine spending the rest of my life pining after someone I can't have. And yet, that's a very real possibility.