Chapter 8
A few days later, I got a notice from my club about a dinner gathering.
When I got there, I discovered people from several clubs had come.
So had Xander.
Even after our breakup, the system still hadn’t completely given up on me, which meant I could still see the number over his head.
It was still dangerously high.
I looked away and sat as far from him as I could.
Halfway through the gathering, somebody suggested truth or dare.
I got dragged into it.
At first, my luck held.
Then it didn’t.
When my turn came, I pulled a dare card that said I had to kiss someone in the room.
A few people at the table knew about my history with Xander, and I could feel their eyes moving between us.
I didn’t look at him.
I simply picked up my drink and said, “I’ll take three penalty drinks instead.”
Even the club president thought that dare was a little too much and didn’t press.
Unfortunately, I ended up drinking more after that.
By the time the dinner was over, I was definitely tipsy.
The president steadied me and asked the room, “Who hasn’t been drinking? Someone help me get Harper back.”
As he spoke, someone came over and took me from him.
But I had already texted Lena earlier, so I instinctively pulled back and mumbled, “No need. Someone’s coming to pick me up.”
The person holding me paused.
Then a low voice asked near my ear, “Who’s picking you up? Lucas?”
I blinked slowly and made a confused sound.
The person bent lower and softened his voice.
“It’s me,” he said. “Lucas. I’ll take you home.”
I squinted at him.
Gray coat.
Black hair.
Glasses.
And that familiar clean scent.
In my drunken state, it calmed me instantly.
So I let him lead me away.
We had only walked a short distance when something about it started to feel wrong.
I stopped, frowned up at him, and stared hard at his face.
Then I shook my head very seriously.
“No. You’re not Lucas.”
The next second, the person in front of me broke.
“Why can’t I be?”
He sounded furious.
His teeth were practically grinding.
“What’s different? The hair? The clothes? The glasses? Didn’t I know you when we were kids too? Why is he the only one you remember?”
My tipsy brain was almost shaken awake by the force of those questions.
Xander, however, looked like he had suddenly figured something out.
“Oh,” he said quietly. “I get it.”
Then he pulled me into the stairwell where no one could see us, cupped my face in both hands, and lowered his head until his nose brushed my cheek.
His voice turned soft.
Dangerously soft.
“Is it because I’m not gentle enough?”
He rubbed his face lightly against mine like he was trying to imitate tenderness.
Then he said, in a low coaxing voice, “Harper, baby… would you like me a little too? Please?”
I was completely dazed.
For one dizzy second, it felt like time had reversed to when we were still together.
So I went up on my toes and kissed him.
Then I answered honestly.
“I’ve always liked you.”
His throat bobbed.
He caught my hand like he had just snatched up something precious and stolen.
But then his eyes lowered again, and he laughed bitterly.
“You’re drunk enough to mistake me for him.”
I stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
He looked at me. “Then why kiss me?”
I blinked slowly. “Because I like you.”
He asked at once, “Like what? This look?”
I frowned.
Even with alcohol fogging my brain, I still didn’t want him misunderstanding me again.
So I shook my head and told him clearly, “It has nothing to do with the way you look. I like you. You. Got it?”
The second the words left my mouth, Xander went dead still.
Then the system shrieked in my head.
“Host! Look! His irritation just dropped by half!”
But I no longer had the energy to care.
My stomach was twisting violently.
A second later, I shoved him away and ran for the bathroom.