**Wyatt Matheson**

Wyatt

"Mmm, Wyatt," she purrs, curling her fingers into my shoulders.

Shit...What's her name...?

I pull her closer, smiling as I guide her mouth toward mine. I don't wanna talk anyway. She seems to agree, her hands moving quickly to the buttons on my shirt. Dang, she's eager. I roll her onto her back, and our kisses become bold and frantic.

"So you—you noticed me around school?" she asks breathlessly as I kiss the length of her jaw.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, definitely," I mumble, making my way back to her lips. She giggles, wrapping her legs around my waist.

Was it Emma? Or Allie? Allie, I think....

My phone chimes, bringing me to a halt.

"Lemme make sure that isn't my mom," I say, inching my phone off the nightstand and into my hand. She's undeterred by the untimely interruption, her fingers and lips moving over my chest greedily.

The text isn't what I expect. Instead of my mom, it's a message from Colby. I open it to find a video of an obviously inebriated Colby with an arm around the biggest asshole at North High.

"Dammit," I growl, pushing myself up onto my knees, out of happy hands' reach.

"What's wrong?" she asks, sitting up and glancing at my phone screen. "It's just Colby Byers and Cole Galloway."

"Exactly," I say, cursing under my breath. I stand, much to the confusion of what's-her-name in my bed, and grab my shirt off of the floor.

"Where are you going?" she whines, propping herself on one elbow. "I don't get it."

"I don't get it either," I grumble. I toss her top to her and plop into the chair in the corner of my room, jamming my feet into my boots. Colby got enough of my day already, getting me up at the butt crack of dawn so she could go riding, and then helpfully informing my mom about my intent to ignore orientation today. Needless to say, I attended like a good little boy after mom chewed me out.

Colby somehow has a knack for being the center of my universe, even though she wants nothing to do with me.

"Sorry," I say half-heartedly, grabbing my car keys and heading for my bedroom door. "Maybe some other time, Allie?"

She scoffs. "Are you kidding me?" She slips her shirt and sandals on. "My name is Addy, douchebag. As in Addison."

Oops.

I shrug it off. "Your loss, darlin'."

She storms past me, and I head to my truck without a second thought.

I arrive at Cole's place—hell, it's a compound, really— and begin the trek to the front door. I can hear bass blasting out where I parked a good quarter mile away, and why am I here again?

I pause when I reach the porch, fuming as the scents of pot and cigarettes invade my airways. These parties are always the same old shit. Not that I don't do my fair share of partying, but I've got my limits, especially where Cole's hospitality is involved.

Inside, it's everything I expect. People everywhere, dancing, making out, drinking, lighting up. I'm pretty sure I'm already high, and I just walked in.

"Wyatt's here!" Ari shouts from the kitchen. His announcement brings a round of cheers from those gathered around him and a reluctant smile to my face, even though I'm hella pissed to be here.

Ari approaches, his arms draped around two girls I don't recognize. His girlfriend goes to a school about an hour away, so he's been known to take advantage of the distance.

"I thought you weren't coming tonight," he slurs, grabbing bimbo A's beer and taking another swig. "Go get him a beer," he orders Bimbo B, who scampers off to the kitchen without a word.

I shake my head in disbelief, laughing. This kid's got game, even more so than me.

"That's ok, man, I'm not staying. You have fun though, I gotta go," I say, bolting away from Ari. Taylor Galloway has zeroed in on me, and she's waving and stumbling her way over.

Hell to the no. That's a battle I don't have in me right now. She's Cole's little sister and has it in her head that we're meant to be just 'cause we made out once a few parties ago.

Biggest mistake of my life...

"Wyatt!" she trills from behind me. I freeze and begrudgingly face her. She's too close for me to pretend I don't hear her, and I'm not a complete jerk.

"Hey, Taylor," I say, shoving my hands into my pockets and tossing her a tentative smile.

Too much. She takes it as an invitation to glom on to my arm like a leech.

"I've missed you." She stretches up on tiptoe, her lips nearly brushing mine. "Haven't you missed me?" she pouts. Her breath could kill an army of strongmen.

"Uh, whoa there," I say with a laugh, extricating myself from her iron grip. She frowns, so I grab her hand. "Why don't you show me around upstairs?" I ask, opting to take advantage of my unfortunate circumstances by having her be my tour guide.

"Why Mr. Matheson, if you wanna go to my room, all you have to do is ask," she says, her face brightening as she wriggles closer to my side.

"No!" I bark. "I mean... I wanna see all the rooms. Show me Cole's first."

"Ooookay," she grants, her brow furrowed.

I smile warmly, pretending my request isn't creepy, as she leads me up one-half of the double spiral staircase. We climb the steps, and I do my best to ignore the intermittent glances she's throwing my way through her batting lashes.

Colby really flippin' owes me.

We come to a stop in front of a door adorned with One Direction and Justin Beiber cutouts, and as much as I'd like to believe this is Cole's room, I know better.

"Let's start here," Taylor croons. "My room." She reaches for the doorknob, but I'm already tugging her further down the hallway, pausing when I spy a room with an SI swimsuit model taped to the door. I decide to take a chance, heaven help me.

"On second thought, I'm really thirsty," I say, dropping Taylor's hand. "Why don't you go grab me a beer while I...uh, while I make myself comfortable in your room." I plaster a convincing grin on my face.

"Oh, baby, your wish is my command," she swoons, and I feel acid in the back of my throat. She retreats, making her way to the staircase.

Geez...

I dart toward the most promising door and shove it open. I only catch a brief glimpse of Cole's filthy mouth on Colby's neck before he throws his hands up, backing away from her and straightening his clothes. Colby's eyes are closed, and she sways with Cole's sudden absence, catching herself on the edge of his desk.

"What're you, oh—" Colby drawls lazily as she opens her eyes, taking in the sight before her.

"What in the actual hell, Wyatt," Cole spews, having regained his composure. He tosses something to Colby, a sweater I think, smacking her in the face when she fails to reach up and grab it. A look of shock covers her face before she dissolves into a fit of giggles.

"My shirrrt," she drones, falling to her knees to put it on.

What's wrong with her? I've got it on good authority from her best friend, Wynona, that Colby's given up drinking and being 'totally lame-o'. Wynona's words, not mine. Wynn's about as wild as they come, so I'm inclined to believe that Colby's made a change if Wynn is making accusations like that.

That leaves me with two options: either Colby screwed up and got drunk outta her mind, or...

"What did you do," I growl, making my way toward Colby. My shoulder bounces off of Cole's as I pass, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the wall behind him. Colby's entrapped in her shirt, one arm in a sleeve, and the other halfway through the collar of the sweater.

"Here, B," I say, guiding her arm into the correct sleeve, and pulling the collar down over her head.

"Why are you here, loser?" Cole huffs, picking himself up and attempting to look intimidating. "Colby and I were just fine before you showed up."

"Thanks, Dodge," Colby slurs, stumbling into me. I put my arm around her and help her over to Cole's bed.

"Have a seat. I just need a minute," I say calmly. When I see that Colby's stable, I swing around to face Cole.

He smirks. "You're just jealous that she's into me."

My fist collides with his eye. Hard.

"Whoa," Colby snorts, eyes wide and glassy.

Cole lands in a heap on the floor, clutching his already black eye. "Dammit, Wyatt! What is your problem!" he shouts.

"Maybe you'll think twice before you drug a girl again," I spit.

"Wow Cole, I think Wyatt hit you," Colby cackles, doubling over and rolling onto the floor.

"You think?" Cole groans, cursing under his breath. "I didn't drug her, douchebag! She's just drunk!"

"I'm not drunk, Cole!" Colby bellows. "I don't drink anymore, remember Wyatt?"

"Sure, B," I say. I scoop her off of the floor and set her on her feet, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Let's go."

"Go? No!" Colby snaps. "I wanna dance, Wyatt, please."

"I swear I didn't drug her," Cole groans from the floor. "I can't believe you'd think I would do something like that."

"Never again," I fume, pointing a finger in his direction. "Never."

He rolls his good eye. "Just leave."

"Dance, Wyatt! Let's dance!" Colby squeals, tugging at my arm.

This escapade has taken up enough of my evening, so I decide to expedite things. I sling Colby over my shoulder, much to her dismay, and head for the door. I slam it behind me when we exit, causing the frames on the wall to rattle.

"No," she whines, pounding at my back.

And now she's crying. Shit, could this night get any better?

I find my answer when I see a confused Taylor approaching as I make my way down the staircase.

"Wyatt?" she questions, a beer in each hand. She glances behind me at the weeping girl draped over my shoulder.

I sigh. There's really nothing to be said. "I gotta go," I mutter as I head for the front door. I think it's fair to say that I've officially achieved complete jackass status.