This December, page 12
“Really? That’s crazy.” The fake sympathy in Charlotte’s voice made my skin crawl.
Brianna went on. “I guess they sent her to a private religious high school, and he even paid for her college as long as she attended an acceptable Christian school. That’s why she went to BYU when she’s not even Mormon. I don’t think she’s ever dated, let alone had a NCMO sesh.”
Heat flashed through my head at Brianna’s implication. For her information, I’d had a Non-Committal Make Out session. Once. And I’d been on dates! Not that I said a single word or let them know I could hear them. Everything about this moment was mortifying.
“Wait, you can’t mean… You think she’s still a virgin!” Eva all but shouted.
“Seriously, Eva? You whisper gay but yell virgin?” Leah huffed. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I’m drunk.” Eva giggled loudly. “We’ve been drinking all day. What do you accept? Accept. Expest. Whatever. Barkeep! Another round, lickety-spit. Spilt. Argh.”
“I think so.” Brianna’s harsh whisper was so loud it easily carried through the bar. “I suspect Shay is waiting for her wedding night. Like a good girl.”
They all cackled like it was the funniest thing they’d ever heard.
Tears burned at my eyes again. I swiped under my eyes, determined not to let any fall.
“Oh barf. What a moron.” Charlotte sneered.
“Are you sure she’s related to you?” Eva hooted. “I mean didn’t you lose your virginity under the bleachers sophomore year of high school?”
“Whatever, bitch. At least I was getting me some.” Brianna scoffed. “And now I’m getting the best for the rest of my life. Brock’s dick is…”
I didn’t stick around to hear the rest.
I’d swallowed so much crap these past few days. I’d tried to find some common ground with Brianna and her cronies despite their nastiness, but I didn’t have any more grace left inside me. It was official. I was done.
Done with their fakeness and the digs about me, my body, and my lack of experience.
Done with this whole craptacular weekend.
I spun and crashed into someone.
“Ommph.” He staggered and clutched at his stomach where my elbow had apparently collided with him.
“Oh my gosh!” I reached out without thinking and patted his very firm stomach. A zing of electricity traveled up my arm, and I gasped before jerking my hand back. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going, and I just…” I trailed off as I looked up into the deepest green eyes I’d ever seen.
He was gorgeous. From his tousled short brown hair to his dark green eyes and the sexy stubble trailing up his jaw, he was easily the most attractive man I’d seen in my entire life.
Who I was still standing in front of and gaping at like a moron.
I knew the flush reddening my cheeks had nothing to do with my alcohol intake today. “Again, I’m sorry. I’m gonna start looking where I’m going. Or something. You know, I’m just gonna go now. So…thanks.”
Closing my eyes in humiliation, I ducked around him but froze when his hand clasped my elbow.
“Don’t go rushing off now, baby girl. We didn’t even have a chance to exchange information. Maybe I want to file a claim with your insurance.”
I snorted and then was immediately mortified. But still I was me, so I couldn’t help myself from replying, “Really? Does that line usually get you any traction?”
He shrugged. “Usually I don’t have to say anything.”
“Right. You just let all of that—” I gestured at his body. “Talk for you.”
He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. “How drunk are you?”
“Not drunk enough. Clearly.”
“Huh.” He blinked a few times, then a large smile spread across his lips. “Okay. Let me buy you a drink then.”
“Uh, Chase?” A tall, muscular man stepped over to my gorgeous guy’s side. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. The crowd in here is—”
My guy cut him off. “I’m sure we can find a table out of the way. In a little secluded corner.”
“Oh. Are you here for a bachelor party too? I mean, I’m not here for a bachelor party. I’m not a stripper. It’s my cousin’s bachelorette party. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a stripper. I’m just…not.”
I really had to stop babbling. Something about having his full attention just flustered me to no end.
And his husky laughter did crazy things to my nerve endings. “I can’t wait to hear more. You’re so damn cute when you start rambling like that.”
“I, uh, I don’t…” I couldn’t make my brain work when he turned all his attention on me. And seriously, that was my one claim to fame—Book Smart Shay. Not so much with the athletics or the grace or…anything else really.
But no, this guy either had me losing my trail of thought or babbling like a crazy person. I had to get it together. He could be the one to—
“So? Can I buy you a drink?”
“I, uh, yes. Yes, please.”
Yes, please? Seriously, just kill me now. That was so pathetic.
“I got you a table over here, Chase,” Looming Tall Guy said over Chase’s shoulder.
“Right this way, Shay.” Chase grabbed my hand and tugged me in the direction of their table.
I tottered after him, relishing the feeling of his rough hand holding mine. This guy had some serious callouses on his hand. So freaking sexy.
Wait. He’d called me Shay.
“How do you know my name?”
He stopped next to the booth and winced as he turned to face me.
And then it clicked.
“Oh my gosh. You heard that? What they were saying about me? About my…”
“Virginity? Yeah. They weren’t being exactly discreet with their gossiping. Pretty sure most of the bar heard them cackling.”
“Oh, kill me now.” I buried my face in my hands. “This has got to be one of the worst nights of my life.”
“Really, baby girl? Even though you met me? It’s still the worst night of your life?”
I had to smile at that. Dropping my hands, I gave Chase a little smile. “Well, no. I mean it’s just…” I shook my head. “Still pretty horrible, honestly.”
“I can respect that.” He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing on me, making my heart race. “So are you? Waiting for marriage?”
ROCKED (Tin Gods #1) is available at all major retailers!
Also By Gillian Archer
Tin Gods
Rocked
Refrain
Ballad
Encore
Holiday Mode
This December
Star Studded
Falling for Rome
Fighting for King
Burns Brothers Series
Build
Fast
Spark
Torque
True Brothers MC Series
Ruthless
Rebellious
Resilient
Rough Ride
HRH Series
Reluctantly Royal
Standalone Short
King of Hearts.
About Gillian Archer
GILLIAN ARCHER has a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering but prefers to spend her time on happily ever after. She writes the kind of stories she loves to read—the hotter the better! When she’s not pounding away on the keyboard, she can be found chasing her grade-schooler, or surfing the couch while indulging in her latest reality TV fixation, or reading awesome romance ebooks by her favorite authors. Gillian lives in the wilds of Nevada with her amazing husband, brilliant daughter, and goofy dog. Please visit her at gillianarcher.com
Gillian@GillianArcher.com
Facebook.com/GillianArcherWrites
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Gillian Archer, This December
