Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1)(37)
Author: Cambria Hebert

“Sam?”

His muscles were bunching and rippling beneath his skin in a way that I never knew was possible. I tried to take comfort in the fact that he was clearly ripped.

Before I could truly start freaking out the lights came back on. Kimber’s dad was on the upper deck and yelled down at the crowd. “Sorry! The breaker blew!”

Everyone cheered, and the DJ started up another slow song. I wondered when my heart would return to normal. Sam titled my head back and stared into my face. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Are you?”

He nodded and pulled me close again. Seconds later he pulled back. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” I asked, alarmed.

“The bathroom,” he called and ran toward the edge of the dance floor. Instead of turning toward the house, he disappeared into the trees.

Where was he going? Last time I checked, the bathroom was not in the woods. I was about to follow when someone caught my hand. I turned, ready to yell, when I saw who it was. “Brice.”

“I thought he’d never leave you alone.” He smiled.

That smile used to make my palms sweat. Before. We were practically an item last summer. Then I was attacked, scarred, and emotionally wrecked. Brice had come to visit me in the hospital once. He’d taken one look at my face and hadn’t talked to me since.

“Who? Sam?” I stuttered.

“Dance with me,” he said, flashing a smile and blinding me with his dimples. I let him sweep me forward because I was so shocked.

“You want to dance with me?” I asked. He was holding me a little too close so I eased back, creating some distance.

“Haven’t seen you around much this year,” he said.

“I’ve been busy.”

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, leaning in.

“You have?”

He nodded. “It’s good to see you out, having fun. Like old times. Remember?”

Was he hitting on me?

“I heard you were going to take Jenna’s place on the cheer squad next year as team captain.”

Ahh, he thought I was going to be popular again. I stepped back, cutting off our dance. “I need to go find Sam.”

“Let him go. We had something good last year.”

“Maybe,” I said, wetting my lips. “But that was before you came to the hospital and were disgusted by my face.” Where had that come from?

His blue eyes widened, and he shoved a hand through his perfect blond hair. “I wasn’t, I’m not…”

“It’s okay, Brice. Really. I’m with Sam now.”

“You’re going to blow me off?” He seemed incredulous. “For the new guy?”

I noticed that people around us were staring. This was going to be all over school tomorrow.

I tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t embarrass him. Or me. A deep hard voice answered for me. “You heard her. She’s with me now.”

Sam stepped around me to face Brice. They measured each other for long moments, and I held my breath. Then Brice smiled. “Hey, man. That’s cool. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

He walked away.

When he was gone everyone turned toward Sam and me. Kimber came through the crowd. “The DJ’s giving away free stuff at his booth!” she announced.

That took all of the attention away from us. I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” I told her.

“You looked like you needed some help.”

I turned questioning eyes to Sam. “I thought you were going to the bathroom.”

“I did,” he answered vaguely, his eyes darted through the crowd to land on Brice again. I wasn’t worried about Brice. He was an idiot.

I grabbed his hand. “You went into the woods, Sam. You didn’t go to the house.”

Beside me Kimber burst out laughing. “Guys pee all over the place, Heven.”

Sam laughed and looked down at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I guess they do.” I laughed, feeling silly. What else would he go in the woods to do? All the excitement lately has been going to my head; I’m seeing danger in my boyfriend peeing in the woods, what next?

Some guy walked by carrying a tray full of drinks. The cups were so full they splashed over the sides as he danced. “Oooh! I need one of those.” Kimber said and went off to grab one.

Sam touched my fingers. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I guess that blackout just made me a little nervous.”

Sam wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “You’re safe.”

I shifted and rose up on tiptoes to brush a kiss over his lips. He always made me feel so much better. He made a low growl in his throat as he deepened the kiss. I laughed against his lips.

“Break it up you two.” Kimber exclaimed. Sam pulled back but swiftly came back to press a quick kiss to my lips.

I giggled. Kimber reached out and wrapped her arm through mine. “Let’s take a walk.”

“Sam and I were dancing,” I protested.

“Oh, please. You managed to find the only person on this planet as bad at dancing as you are.” Kimber said. “Besides we haven’t had any girl time.” As she towed me away I looked back over my shoulder. Sam was standing in the crowd with a frown on his face. I smiled and blew him a kiss. His lips titled up.

Beside me Kimber slurped her drink. “Maybe you should take it easy on those,” I said, eyeing the cup.

“It’s my birthday.”

For the first time I noticed that she was towing me toward the lake. At the water’s edge she stepped onto the dock. “Kimber, this is far enough.”

“Oh, come on, the stars are beautiful over the water.”

Fear licked into my belly, and I turned back to look for Sam. He wasn’t far behind us, someone had stopped him to talk, and he was smiling.

“Oh, come on, Heven. Don’t be such a baby.” Kimber said a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Maybe it shouldn’t have, but her comment stung. I knew she was half-drunk, and I knew that she was probably kidding, but she hit a soft spot. I was scared a lot. I was always looking over my shoulder, and I was always seeking out reassurance from Sam. I did act like a baby. But, I didn’t want to. Bravely, I stepped up on the dock, ignoring the shivers of fear that ran up my back. I looked up at the stars and realized that Kimber was right. They were beautiful. When we stopped I realized we were almost to the end and the lake stretched before us. My nerves, not long forgotten, returned. “Let’s go back now.”