Every Little Thing

The Party Part 2

It didn’t take long to find them—Amy and Lily were by the pool, dancing and laughing as music pulsed through the backyard. Jace immediately walked up behind Amy, wrapping his arms around her and whispering God-knows-what into her ear.

Lily stood a few feet away, watching them with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. From where I stood, I could tell she was starting to feel like a third wheel.

Something tugged at me.

I took a slow breath, stepped forward, and reached for her hand. She turned just as I gently spun her around to face me. Her smile bloomed instantly, her cheeks tinged pink under the pool lights. God, she was beautiful. The makeup she wore was subtle—just enough to highlight what was already perfect about her. And standing this close, I couldn't look away.

She glanced down at my shirt, then at her dress, and raised a brow. “Please tell me you picked that shirt yourself and weren’t... persuaded.”

I laughed softly. “Nope. Conspiracy. Apparently.”

It was only then I realized I was still holding her hand.

My throat went dry. Swallowing hard, I slowly let go, meeting her eyes again.

“Do you want to dance?” she asked, glancing around at the couples swaying all around us.

“I don’t really dance,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

She bit her lip. My heart nearly short-circuited.

Then, without a word, she stepped forward and gripped the fabric of my shirt just above my waist. I raised a brow as she pulled me toward her.

“Tonight, I think you do,” she whispered, voice soft and daring.

She took my hand and placed it on her waist, then looped her other arm around my neck.

Jesus Christ.

My brain stalled. My heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out. I froze, then slowly—awkwardly—started to move with her as the beat of “Despacito” vibrated through the air. Her body swayed effortlessly. I followed, too focused on not screwing up to think straight.

When her fingers brushed the back of my hair, I nearly lost it.

Then she turned, pressing her back against my chest.

What is she doing?! My thoughts screamed as she rolled her hips into mine.

I clenched my jaw, willing my body not to betray me. This was—this was beyond anything I was prepared for. I’d never let a girl this close before. Not like this. Not even close.

But Lily… Lily made me forget why I ever kept my distance.

A few more songs passed in a blur. I couldn’t even tell you what they were—I was too caught up in her. In the way she moved. The way she kept glancing up at me with those eyes like she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

Then “Timber” started to play, and everything shifted.

I felt her being tugged away from me.

My head snapped up. One of those hockey douchebags—Anderson—was gripping Lily’s waist, laughing like this was all a game. She was trying to push him away, her voice firm but panicked. “No. Stop. Let go of me.”

I saw red.

I stormed toward them, grabbing Anderson’s wrist and digging my fingers into the pressure point in his palm. He hissed and immediately released her.

I stepped between them, pushing Lily behind me. My grip didn’t loosen.

“She said no, Anderson,” I growled. The name alone made his jaw tighten.

“She’s not your girl, man,” he snapped, trying to shove me. I didn’t budge.

“I suggest you mind your own, Caleb.”

I looked him over—glassy eyes, unsteady legs. He’d been drinking. That didn’t excuse a damn thing.

“She was dancing with me, asshole. What makes you think you can just pull her away like that?”

He smirked, all teeth and malice. “I wanted a dance. So I took one.”

Wrong answer.

“She is not property you can take.” My voice was low, venomous. I shoved him hard in the chest. He stumbled, but stayed on his feet.

Then hands grabbed me from behind—his friends.

Before I could shake them off, Anderson swung.

His fist connected with the side of my head.

Pain exploded across my temple. The world spun. The last thing I heard before everything went dark was Lily’s voice, shrill with panic.

“Stop! Somebody help! Stop!”