I hear the door close, then the sound of the lock follows. I lean my back against the wall, and just stay here, not moving. My body is tense, all my muscles rigid and shivers run down my spine. Not the ones you get from excitement, but the ones reminding me of spiders running up and down my skin. A sticky and unwelcome feeling settles in my chest, and I have no idea how to deal with it.

The sounds of the party are loud. Music is booming, laughter, and people's voices drift to me, but I don't hear anything, it's no more than white noise. I concentrate my attention on the bathroom, listening to water running. They aren't talking, and it starts gnawing at me. Why the hell did they lock the door? I mean, it's fine that they closed it, but why lock it?!

I shut my eyes tightly and grit my teeth. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be waiting to hear what I know I will hear. Just my drunk ass doesn't really want to do what is right. It's like it's dead set on making me miserable. So fucking miserable, I'm already planning what I can do to make them pay for this. Though... why? I'm not her boyfriend. I'm the guy she hates. But she called me Colt... and I finally said her name aloud. What the hell is wrong with me?! I remind myself of a pussy. A coward.

"You're way better person to deal with all this, my ass." I snicker under my breath, balling my fists. "I hate when girls cry, and never know what to do, but with her... With her it was different."

The water stops and I almost instantly hear Benson's voice. They talk about his sister, about me and her being bullied. He sounds irritated, and knowing Drake, I understand how he feels. I felt uneasy when I found out and I barely know her, while he has been her friend for years. He's angry with her, and I even smile. Maybe he will give her a lecture, and they leave this bathroom? Hope dies last... and mine died a long time ago.

Her moans fill my ears as if I'm in the room. She fucking moans his name, and I bang the back of my head at the wall. It doesn't even hurt and doesn't help to replace the ache in my chest. I'm a freaking loser, no less.

Pushing myself from the wall, I storm back to the living room. I grab a beer bottle from the table and gulp down as much as I can. My plan to stay sober is getting flush down the toilet by each passing second. I'm pissed. Mostly at myself. I should have left, but I stubbornly stayed to listen. To hear as my teammate fucks his sister's best friend. The one who he calls a family.

A girl saunters over to me, talking and talking while I barely listen. My gaze is glued to the hallway I just came from. I'm waiting for them to come out any freaking minute, but it's not happening. Not 10 minutes later. Not twenty. They are still fucking, while I'm ready to set this place on fire with my anger. And it's so fucking unusual, so it confuses the hell out of me. Am I jealous? That's the only possible explanation, but I'm not sure. I never felt this way about anyone...

"My roommate left and..." I focus my attention on the girl in front of me. Look her up and down, seeing as she swallows nervously.

"Not interested." I bark and take a swing of my drink.

"Oh... I'm sorry..." She stammers and hurriedly takes off.

I turn my head just slightly and see Benson and her strolling to the front door. A beast in my chest roars, and a poisonous feeling fills my lungs. He has what I want. Obsessively. It's definitely not healthy and makes me want to do stupid things. Things I'm going to regret later for sure.

Suddenly our eyes lock and her lips part. She knows that I know. She knows I like her and that I'm jealous. But there is something else. Fear? Uncertainty? Ugh! She's the most confusing girl I have ever met! I have no idea what she thinks of me most of the time and it irritates me to no end! Just like watching her leave the party with him. It's a catastrophe!

Finishing my beer, I put the empty bottle back on the table and scan the room. I see a girl standing with her back pressed to the wall not far away from me. Well, I might as well do as she suggested. It will help to take my mind off what I just witnessed, and hopefully will make Layla back off. On the other hand... No! No! I shouldn't even think like that! I want her out of my system and if it will do the trick, then I'm all for it.

I make my way over to Grace, and when I'm almost there, Layla appears right in front of my eyes. Like a genie out of a fucking bottle. I take a step back and fold my arms across my chest. "What?!" I yell, and she grimaces.

"Ooookaaaayyyy," she mutters, her fingers flying to her hair. "You're not in the mood."

"That's right, I'm not in the fucking mood and it's all because of you." Not exactly, but I have a point. "You annoyed the fuck out of me tonight, Layla. What else can I do to make you understand you and I are not going to happen? I don't like you and never will. I respect you because of your brother, that's all. Though if you're going to act like a spoiled clingy brat, we are going to have a problem!"

"Sorry if I took it wrong... I honestly thought that, that kiss..."

I throw my hands in the air, my blood is boiling. "I didn't kiss you that night! I helped you to your room, carried you to your bed, tucked you under the blanket and left! That was all!"

"But I-" I take a step closer, and she falls silent. Her eyes are full of tears, and she looks embarrassed.

"Leave me the fuck alone." I hiss, walking around her and heading straight to her roommate. Grace's eyes widen as soon as she sees me approaching her. She looks terrified, and I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. The last thing I want is for her to be afraid of me.

"Hey Colton." She mumbles and bites her bottom lip. "Um... we talked earlier, why did I just say hi again..."

She's so shy so it's even cute. "Hi Grace." I grin, and she smiles at me. "How are you?"

"I feel like an idiot who isn't capable of holding their tongue. You?"

"Would you believe me if I say I feel the same?" I put my hand on the wall near her head, and she sucks in breath.

"Er... no, I'm sorry but no..." Grace shakes her head. "You're Colton Thompson, and your reputation is well known around here."

"My reputation?" I cock an eyebrow, looking curious.

"People say you're hotheaded and vindictive. If someone crosses paths with you, it will be better to find a way to get back in your good graces again, or you're fully capable of destroying your enemies. Your family is rich, but you don't show it off, at all. You don't date anyone, but you're a God in bed and that's why girls don't mind hooking up with you for just one night." She shifts a little, arching her back a bit more. My gaze falls on her body, and her full breasts catch my attention. "You're a bad boy with a very nasty attitude, have a very small circle of people that you trust and don't let anyone get too close because you don't want them to know your secrets."

"Wow." I whistle, my eyes go round.

"I-I'm sorry if I overstepped..." She mutters under her breath, lowering her head and not meeting my gaze. Fuck it! She's exactly what I need right now.

I tip my head, placing my palm on her cheek. Her skin is hot, as she looks up and gazes at me with her big green eyes. "Wanna go to my place?"

She blinks and I blink too. I don't invite anyone to my place usually, but for some reason it feels right with this girl. "Did Ava say something to you about me?"

Ava? Why is she everywhere?! "Like what?"

"That maybe I want to have sex with you..." Grace blurts out, and even in the darkness of the room, I see her cheeks flame up. "Oh my God!"

I tilt her face to my side and kiss her lips, silencing her mumbling. She opens her mouth for me, because she's obviously surprised and also, she's eager to taste me. We kiss and I slowly wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. I have kissed a lot of girls, and this kiss doesn't stand out from the others. Do I expect fireworks? Definitely not, but I would have loved to feel something different. At least something that would have made me remember it...

Taking a step back, I keep her in my embrace. Her eyelashes flutter as she finally opens her eyes and stares at me. "I'll go with you anywhere if you promise to kiss me like that again."

I chortle, shaking my head in disbelief. I always say how fussy I am, how I try to maintain a certain level between my one-night-stands. Tonight proves otherwise. I just need someone simple. Someone who can make me laugh, to make me want to protect them, make me feel... dammit! I'm thinking about her again, and I don't want to! Plastering a smile on my face, I drop my hands from Grace's sides and extend my palm to her.

"Ready for a walk?" I ask and she nods her head.

We leave the house together, and I feel people's eyes on us. It doesn't bother me, but it's the complete opposite for Grace. She's timid and struggles to deal with it. I start bombarding her with questions about her studies and little by little words are pouring out of her. I sigh in relief, congratulating myself inwardly. My job here is done, all that I need to do is to listen to her. As simple as that.

"Am I right when I think you didn't want to invite us to your place last time because of Layla?" Grace babbles her question once I open the door of my apartment.

"Kinda." I nod my head, letting her in first. I turn on the lights, and gesture for her to go to the living room. She's not the kind of girl who you can take to your bedroom right away. She needs to adjust, to feel comfortable enough and I intend to help her to relax. I'm in no rush... as long as talking to her holds me back from thinking about... "I hope that after this party, she will stop all of her attempts to seduce me, kiss me or anything else."

"Because of me?" Grace freezes, just as she's about to plop herself down on the couch. "Is that the reason why I'm here?"

"No," I say firmly. "I talked to her before I approached you. I didn't hold back and... She knows now that she has zero chances with me."

"Okay." She finally sits down on the couch, and I join her. Looking around the room, she starts smiling. A big toothy grin forms on her lips, and I arch my eyebrow at her in question. "Your place is not like I imagined it."

"Not like you imagined?" I lean my back against the couch, nestling more comfortably. It's definitely not how I'm used to spending my time with the girls, yet it makes things more real. More ordinary. I decide to tease her, and the reaction is priceless. "What did you expect? Did you think my apartment would be a total mess with things scattered all over the floor? Or maybe red rooms with whips and bondage?"

"Are you into BDSM?" Grace whispers, looking scared.

"I'm not." I shake my head. I like some rough stuff, but she's definitely not a girl I'll do that with. She also doesn't look like the type to be into experimenting, so I think we're going to take things slowly, and see what I can do for her to feel good. "I can assure you that I will be nothing but gentle with you."

"I actually want you to fuck me like you mean it, like what you need and not what you think I need." She says, smiling shyly at me. "I'm a bit drunk so I easily say things that are on my mind... even if I still feel awkward as hell."

"Good to know." I smirk, roaming my eyes over her face. She has freckles on her nose, and they actually add to her image, making her look more authentic. Her mouth is heart-shaped with a puffy bottom lip. Grace is a beautiful girl, just she makes it really hard to notice it. Most of the time, she really is too much: too loud, too nosey, too much of a blabberer. With how careful I am with things that I let slip, she's a disaster and somehow, I certainly want to stay away from.

"Can I ask you something?" Grace takes off her shoes and hides her legs under butt.

I bite my inner cheek, looking at her with a frown on my face. Did I take her home to talk to her or to fuck her? Pressing my fingers to my temples, I massage them slightly. I have never had so much trouble getting laid, like ever. All my problems connect to the only person in this damned city, the girl who is making me hate my last year in college with every bone in my body. My agitation rises, and I lick my lips in order not to say anything rude or stupid to Grace. She has nothing to do with this storm in my chest.

"What is it?" I try to sound polite, and thankfully she doesn't notice the sarcasm dripping out of my words.

"Promise to hear me out before you make any decisions."

"Really?" I laugh curtly, hoping that she is joking, but unfortunately, she's serious. God! Why didn't I take that girl from the party up on her offer? It would have made everything less complicated.

"Promise me, Colton." Suddenly, a wrinkle crosses her forehead. I roll my eyes and nod my head.

"Okay. I'm listening."

"I have no idea what is going on between you and Ava, but the chemistry between you two at the party was off the charts. Honestly. I even was uncomfortable staying near you two because it felt... It felt like you were ready to tear each other's clothes and fuck right there, in the middle of the crowd... and that was even before you wrapped her in your arms..." The more she talks, the more I want to drown somewhere in the midst of the ocean. Did I really make a fool of myself for everyone to see? Does everyone know that I want a girl who doesn't want me? "... she seems like a very easy-going girl, but she's not like that. And she has a temper, an explosive and a really hard to handle type of temper."

"I don't like her." I grit through my clenched teeth. "You're wrong."

Grace takes a deep breath, fiddling with her fingers on her lap. "I want to be her friend, because she obviously needs one... and I really liked spending time with her..." She finally looks up from her lap, gawking at me. "She's not going to be okay with you sleeping with me if she likes you... and I think she does..."

I'm silent for a moment, just hold her gaze and say nothing. Moving closer like a predator, I wind my hands over Grace's waist and pull her to me until she straddles my legs. She nervously swallows, her hands rest on my shoulders. "You asked if Ava said anything to me about you?" She nods, her chest rises and falls hastily. "She suggested I fuck someone close to Layla, so Benson's sister would stop stalking me anywhere I go. Someone. Not her. Does that sound like she likes me?"

"Ava is complicated, Colton. I don't know much about her, but... she's a very loyal friend." I splutter, fighting the desire to laugh in her face. Loyal friend? Do all loyal friends fuck their friend's brothers behind their backs? "Layla already snapped at her, and it was just because you two danced together."

"I know. I saw them." I cut her off harshly, and she tilts her head to the side.

"You were watching her," Grace states, leaning closer. "Think Colton and think carefully. If you ever want anything to happen between you and Ava, then we should stop right here."

Excellent choice. Either I admit I like the girl or prove that I don't like her by sleeping with her best friend's roommate. I close my eyes for a brief moment, allowing my mind to drift back to the party... to the sound of her voice moaning Drake's name... to her leaving the party with him... Fuck it! I'm tired of it!

I stand up, as Grace wraps her legs around my hips. "Your wish is my command, Grace." I head to my bedroom, noticing an amused look on her face. "Have you ever had a fuckathon?"

"No..." She breathes, shuddering in my arms and I can only imagine how wet I'm going to find her in a few minutes.

"Well, get ready for your first time." I slam the door behind us and toss her on my bed. "Any preferences?"

"Not really," she mumbles, her gaze glued to my chest as I already took off my tee. "But I love blowjobs... my high school boyfriend told me I was a real pro..."

"We're definitely going to need to test his theory." I unbuckle my belt and push down my jeans, staying in my briefs. "Are you going to be a good girl, Grace?"

"A very good girl," her breathing is shallow, as her eyes slide down to my crotch. It's entertaining and I think I'm going to enjoy this more than I initially expected.

"Take your dress off, Gracie, and let me see what's under it," I speak huskily, jerking myself off through my briefs. "I'm waiting."

She stands up from my bed, and on a whim she's totally naked in front of me. Not quite what I asked of her, but I smile seeing her eagerness. I wonder when was the last time she had sex with someone who really knew what he was doing. If ever.

"Come here." I command quietly, and she steps to me. I take her chin between my fingers, making her look me in the eyes. "I want to see you on your knees with my cock down your throat. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes..." She whispers breathlessly, her nipples pebble in no time. I bend my head down, give her a quick kiss on her lips, and then take my hands off her body. The ball is in her court, and she makes a move without the slightest hesitation.

Grace kneels in front of me and pulls my briefs down. A loud sigh leaves her mouth as soon as she sees my dick. Looking up at me, she wraps her hand around my shaft and strokes me slowly. It feels good, but I wait for her to take my hardness into her mouth. A few more pumps, and she finally does as I want. I put my palm on her head, urging her to take more of me, to take it deeper. She gags on my cock, but doesn't try to break free, instead she grabs my ass and squeezes it hard. I groan loudly, letting her know that she is doing everything right and she starts sucking me with more enthusiasm than before. When she makes me come in the next 10 minutes, I don't have any regrets. Taking her to my place is exactly what I needed to forget about her. I'm not even thinking about her anymore... or am I? I'm the King of Stupidity, no less.