“Right? It’s gross, but yeah, that’s the rumor. So just be careful, Kena. Okay?”

“Yeah, I heard you.” I smile as Mekena nods, toeing the ground with her foot. They are cute, and it’s apparent how much Skylar cares about her baby sister. Makes me completely jealous. I’d love for my brothers to care just a little bit about me. I push thoughts of them to the side and look toward the house before letting out a long breath.

“Are we going in?” When I turn, they are both looking at me. “What? Let’s go.”

Skylar grins, her eyes narrowing as she holds my gaze. “Someone you wanna see? Who? I know them all. I’m the captain of the dance team, which means I can get you an in with any dude on the team.”

I give her a condescending grin. I feel that isn’t something you should be proud of, but who am I to judge? Two hours ago, I was considering the ho life, so I’m obviously no better than her. Shaking my head, I go to say something snarky, I’m sure. But before I can answer, Mekena volunteers, “Jace Sinclair invited her, and Ross Asher did too.”

“Oh, wow, I’m impressed,” Skylar says and her face shows it, which is odd to me. What, are those dudes hard to get to? Every hockey player I’ve ever met has been quick to jump into bed with any girl.

Maybe I should be worried about my Lame Line Larry?

Nodding her head, she adds. “Ross, don’t even try. He’s totally in love with his girlfriend, and he has a small dick. Been there, done that. But he probably invited you for his brother, Richie, who is the biggest asshole I know. Also a small dick. But Jace, Jace is good.”

I can only blink. Did she sleep with Jace?

“That’s who she’s wanting to see, Jace.”

Skylar nods once more. “Good choice. He’s a good dude, should be the captain this year, just like his brothers were. By the way, his brother was great in bed, so I’m sure Jace is too. Also, my best friend is married to their older brother, and she says he’s amazing.”

“So you haven’t slept with Jace?”

She grins. “Nope, never got a chance to. He’s young, though, and that makes me feel weird. Plus, I’ll never get to Jude, so really, no point. I like to finish my sets.”

Wow.

“Told you she’s a slut,” Mekena mutters and I grin.

“Whatever. I got things to do,” Skylar says, sending me a suggestive grin.

“Obviously. Lots of dudes, so little time.”

“Right!” Skylar hollers, pointing at me. “At least your friend gets it.”

Mekena rolls her eyes as she lets out a breath. When the door opens and catches our attention, people spill out and I’m eager to get in there.

I want to go to my first party.

I want to drink and let loose.

I want to be immersed in the college lifestyle.

I want to live.

And…I kind of…want to…see…Jace.

Okay. A lot. I want to see him a lot.

“So, we’re going?”

“Yeah. Let’s go,” Skylar says then, starting for the house. “You two stay close.”

Mekena rolls her eyes again, but I smile. It’s sweet and obvious that Mekena doesn’t even know how great she has it. But it isn’t my place to remind her of that. I would have given anything for someone to look out for me when I was younger. I’ve learned to do it on my own, but some guidance would have been nice.

But before I can dwell too much on that, we are walking across the yard and into the Bullies’ house. As soon as I go through the door, someone hands me a drink. I don’t even see the person, but Skylar takes it from me and then one that was handed to Mekena, trashing them both.

Rolling her eyes, she yells, “Follow me, and deny anything from anyone.”

We both nod, looking like deer in headlights as we follow her through the wild party. People are everywhere, dancing, playing broom hockey, beer pong, keg stands—it’s everything you see on TV and more. It’s kind of overwhelming, but then, so fucking cool. With a huge grin on my face, I bypass people, guys mainly, handing me drinks as I take everything else in. When we reach the kitchen, it isn’t so loud, but holy shit, this place is trashed.

Beer bottles, cans, empty liquor bottles, trash, and filth are everywhere. It’s disgusting. When I look at Skylar, her eyes are wide. “Holy crap, this place is fucked up.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

She looks back at me and shakes her head. “Where the hell is Jace? This place should not look like this.”

“Right here, and I know.”

All three of us turn around, and with no warning at all, my jaw drops. If I thought Jace Sinclair was hot this morning, nothing could compare to the picturesque man in front of me right now. Standing there in a pair of loose-fitting shorts that hang low on his hips, he has no shirt on. Nothing.

Just abs, pecs, and tattoos.

Holy. Shit.

His left arm is covered with vines that form a hockey stick in the middle. Along the vines are little red birds with what appear to be names within them. I can’t make out what they say, but I can count five little red birds. Maybe his family? I don’t know because then my eyes are roaming across his chest where a little watercolor elephant sits with the word “Mom” beneath it. Aw, he’s a momma’s boy.

And Lord, is he hot.

With wide eyes, I look up to meet his gaze that’s a little panicked. But soon it transforms into an appreciative look. His eyes darken and I swear the air thickens. Gasping, I tuck my hands into my pockets, watching as he devours me with his eyes.

Roughly, he says, “Hey, No Dating Diane.”

A grin pulls at my lips. “Hey there, Lame Line Larry.”

A grin crosses his mouth and everything inside me goes hot. His teeth are so damn straight and look so clean. I know, I’m weird, but crap, it is hot. His lips are full, except for a little spot where a white scar sits. His jaw is covered with dark hair, giving him a scruffy look that shoots need down between my legs. Hair dusts the middle of his chest—not much, but enough to have my body burning with need.

Lord, he is gorgeous.

“Nice tattoo,” I say, lifting my chin in the direction of his arm. “Who are the birds? All the girls whose hearts you broke?”

He laughs, shaking his head. “My family.”

Aw. Before I can say more, his lips are curving. “I’ve broken way more hearts than just five.”