Love Lessons

C H A P T E R F I F T E E N| COLE

|➳| NEW ROMANTICS |➳|

In my head, I assumed taking Jess to a party would entitle me to babysit her. As I've seen her at most parties, I expected her to lean against the wall and mutter cruel things about the drunk college students. I had the party planned out in my head-Jess would watch miserably as girls would hit on me and flirt. Unfortunately, I was completely off because instead, our roles have reversed. I stood against a wall drinking beer with my buddies while I watched her flirt. I had to swallow the sudden jealous feeling as I watched her talk to other guys.

She wasn't even acting like herself.

I had to admit that she looked beautiful tonight. Sure, Jess was a little bigger than most of the girls here, but she made it work for her. The dress did wonders for her body and her makeup helped defy her sassy personality. I was sneaking glances at her all night and that's something I never thought I would do. My football friends searched the room for their latest hookup while I shot daggers at the hot shot she was dancing with. I wasn't sure what I was more surprised by; the fact that someone was hitting on her, or that Jess had the confidence to flirt back. Here she was fucking glowing. I didn't like it. A warm feeling filled the pit of my stomach and I downed more alcohol to ignore it.

She's only around to keep your parents off your back, Cole.

I knew I couldn't get any feelings involved, but as I looked at her, I couldn't help but feel...something. Jess was the only girl I knew who didn't flock at me or treat me like I was some celebrity. Given our horrible start, she treated me no differently than she treated everyone else.

Fuck, I'm starting to feel things for her.

I stood there dumbly against the wall, watching Jess flirt her way with some douche. The frat house seemed smaller and smaller each time I glanced at her. I couldn't relax, I needed to get here away from the crowd of guys.

You're getting possessive.

I thought about picking up a girl and getting laid, but I couldn't do that to Jess. I didn't know why, considering we were only...friends, but I knew it wouldn't result well.

"Did you find your next girl?" My friend Tony, a very sleazy football player asked. He already locked eyes with a whore so I knew he was set. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and pray that I didn't look like he did.

"Not tonight." I grumbled. The guys around me froze and stared me down.

"What?" One gasped.

"You heard me." I groaned.

"What, you got a girlfriend?" One snorted. I watched as the hot shot pulled Jess closer to him and they grinded on each other. Slamming the rest of my drink, I handed Tony the cup and snarled at Jess.

"Yeah, something like that." I ignored their comments and made my way over where the dude was pulling Jess around to kiss her.

Fuck that.

She giggled at something he said and he pulled her in closer, pushing her hair behind her ear. He was looking for a one night stand; Jess wasn't that. Her eyes lit up like the fourth of July and a fuzzy feeling filled my stomach.

Great.

Being the douchebag I am, I stormed over to the happy couple and grabbed her arm. The guy shot me daggers and became possessive.