The Impact of You

Chapter 3

Avery

Jase remains silent beside me, and I can sense there’s something more on his mind than just escaping the party inside – only I have no idea what it is, or why he’s chosen me as company. I grin to myself thinking Madison will be proud that I’m out here talking to the Pretty Boy. And pretty, he is. It’s almost too much to handle having him this close and personal. He smells freakin’ incredible too, like a hint of spicy cologne and a trace of laundry detergent. I want to bury my nose in his neck and inhale, get closer to that delicious scent. Of course I do no such thing.

“What’s the most interesting thing about you?” he asks suddenly.

I am so not telling him that. His question is an odd one, but I go with it. “I was adopted.”

“Really?” His gaze flicks to mine.

Whenever I tell people, their eyes light up in wonder, like I’m suddenly special, different. I don’t know if they expect me to be from some cool foreign country, or maybe have celebrities as parents, but the truth is nothing like that. “Not from anywhere interesting. Just Colorado.”

“That’s cool. Have you ever been back to visit?”

“Nope. My dads wanted to take me there as a graduation present, but I don’t know…” I shrug. “I’d convinced them I didn’t want to go. I actually did. Desperately. But I felt guilty for wanting to. They got uncomfortable whenever I brought up anything about my birthmom, as if they thought they weren’t enough for me,” I finish. I have no idea why I’m unloading all this on a guy I just met. It seems Pretty Boy possesses the rare ability to coax the truth from me. Not good.

To his credit though, Jase doesn’t react at all to the two dads thing. He just nods and continues picking at the fraying string on his jeans, like he’s listening thoughtfully, both to the things I’m saying and what

I’m not saying.

The truth is I’d never met my birthmom, but I’d always wanted to. Depending on the mood I was in, I would picture my mom as an elegant model, or during the tougher times of dealing with my adoption, as a homeless bag-lady.

My first impression of Pretty Boy Jase when I watched him inside with the blond was that he was your typical party-loving frat boy. Now, watching him silently pick at the hem of his jeans, I’m not so sure. He seems more comfortable sitting out here in the dark than being inside with his friends.

“So, what’s the most interesting thing about you?” I ask, returning his strange question. He chuckles softly, the timbre of his deep voice rolling over me like a seductive wave. “Hmm.” He considers my question for a moment, looking up at the sky. “I don’t know. But I kind of want to find out, you know?”

I nod. What a pair we make sitting out here alone in the dark. I’m running from my past, and he’s trying to discover his future. Either way, it seems we’re both over the idea of pointless partying. As the bash rages on inside, I find solace in the knowledge that I’m not alone.

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I need to direct the attention back to her before I say something stupid. And the way her bright green eyes gaze into mine, who knows what I could admit to if pushed. “So why are you really out here hiding?”

Her eyes flick nervously to mine, like I’ve uncovered some big secret. Only I have no clue what it is. Avery straightens her shoulders and lets out a sigh. “I’m not hiding. I just needed a break.”

She acts like being at a party is work, but I can’t argue. I’d rather be out here with her too. For a moment she watches me from the corner of her eye. Rather than stare at her like I want to, I continue picking at the blade of grass I’ve pulled from the ground.

“Why are you bored with life?” she asks.

She has no way of knowing the truth behind her words. Before I can respond, the door opens behind us, blasting us with an unwelcome wave of music. Avery and I both turn to see who’s interrupted our hideout.

It’s Trey. Shit fuck. He staggers toward us, his eyes dancing between me and Avery with interest. “Stacia’s looking for you,” he announces.

I cringe as Avery’s eyebrows raise, no doubt wondering who Stacia is.

“I’m busy right now.”

Trey continues, “Come back inside, man. I need you to divert some of the pussy you attract over to me.” He takes a deep chug from his cup. “Hell, I’ll even take your leftovers.” His eyes dart to Avery’s. “And considering this one’s still talking to you, I’m guessing you haven’t fucked her yet.”

Avery cringes at his words, and in two seconds flat I’m on my feet.