Breaking Kate: The Acceptance Series (5 page)

“Connor, can you show us where we can get a drink? We need one after our sing-along.”

“Oh no, you two were at it again? What was it now, Justin Timberlake?” he says, laughing.

Jess looks at him with indignation and retorts, “Just so you know
, it was the incredible Britney Spears this time.”

Connor looks intrigued and asks, “Which song?” as he casually puts his arm around Jess; I think I know where this is going.

“
Hit Me Baby One More Time.
Why?”

Connor gets a devious look on his face and says, “I was hoping you would say that. I was just wondering if you have the outfit that goes with it and if maybe I could get a private performance.”

Jess slugs him on the shoulder. “You are such a perv!” she shrieks as she laughs. “Besides, I only perform as a duet.” 

Connor’s getting ready to say it so I cut him off, “No, Connor, we don’t perform threesomes, either!”

Connor feigns innocence. “I am an absolute gentleman, Kate. I would never ask that, at least not on a first date.”  Again, he flashes me his gorgeous smile.

As we make our way into the kitchen, I grab a vodka and orange juice and Jess grabs a vodka tonic. We both also take a shot of vodka to loosen up. Earlier, we agreed to take it easy so we can drive back to our house later, but now Connor informs us he already has the guest room ready in case we need a place to crash. Jess is so excited she squeals, although they both can tell I am less than enthused. She excuses herself to the bathroom with a “Be right back” thrown over her shoulder in typical Jess fashion.

Connor takes this time to drill me. “Okay, Kate. I really like Jess, and I think she likes me, too, but I don’t want to move too fast. Can you tell me what the best way to woo her is?” I look up at him and stop myself from laughing because he’s being dead serious.

“Connor, why do you think we’re here? You know it’s not
me
that dragged Jess along, but the other way around. She doesn’t know you well, so she wants a buffer, but I don’t think she’s going to need me around long at all. In fact, I’ll bet you she ditches me as soon as your friend shows up. Just be yourself. You’re doing fine. She likes you,
more
than likes you; it’s all good, no wooing necessary. But just for future reference, if you ever want to know how to woo me it’s chocolate, coffee, and chick flicks—in that order.”

I see relief flash in Connor’s eyes as he laughs at me and wraps me in a hug. Connor sees someone he knows in the crowd and waves him in our direction. He releases me and pulls his friend in for a quick guy hug before making introductions.

“Daniel! Hey, man, it’s good to see you. I’m glad you were able to come up a day early. Kate, this is Daniel. Daniel, this is my beautiful friend Kate.”
Asshole!
That’s the
first
thing that pops into my mind as I watch Daniel’s eyes look me over from breasts to toes and back before finally looking me in the face to say anything.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Kate. I’m glad I was able to come up early, too, man. I would have been here earlier but the traffic was a nightmare.”

Part of me is shocked that he just so visibly checked me out. I mean, seriously,
not
the best way to start the night. This guy is obviously cocky, and if Connor hadn’t already told me he wasn’t dating and hasn’t dated in over six months, I would assume he’s a complete player. The other part of me is probably just as obviously checking him out; he’s effing gorgeous! Daniel is tall—at least six foot three. His eyes are the lightest shade of brown I have ever seen; I could just look into them for hours and get lost in them. His arms, which are my favorite part of the male body, are perfect. They are perfectly proportioned to his broad shoulders, definitely a football player’s build. They’re muscular, but not in an excessively gross body builder kind of way. It looks like he hits the gym every day.

God, I hope he isn’t a dumb jock. I really don’t want to waste my time with a ditz all night, but he
is
good eye candy. I know as soon as Jess makes it back she’s going to take Connor off somewhere ’more quiet’ and I’ll be on my own. I silently pray to myself,
please don’t let him be a dumb jock and please just let us get along at least for the night.

I quickly finish my drink and grab another just as Daniel finishes talking about the traffic. I get my wits together and finally speak, “Nice to meet you, too, Daniel. It’s nice to finally meet one of Connor’s infamous friends.” I extend my hand to shake his, which now seems really awkward, but oh well.

He shakes my hand delicately, as if he’s going to break it, and I laugh out loud. I totally couldn’t hold it back. Of course he’s looking at me, completely puzzled. Connor can tell I am going to say something and is biting his lip to stifle his laugh. 

Daniel asks, “What’s so funny?”

I give him a very serious look. “I’m guessing you are, or were, a football player? You’re definitely built like one. So, while a big guy like you being so delicate with me is touching, let me fill you in on a little secret—you can be rough with me. I promise I don’t break that easily.”
Fuck. Freudian slip?
I can’t believe I just said he could be rough with me. I’ve got to be a million shades of red.

When he releases my hand, he shocks me. Connor slaps Daniel on the shoulder, no longer containing his laugh. Daniel looks at Connor and says, “You weren’t kidding. She’s a spitfire, and sexy, too. This night just got a lot more interesting. Kate, I have a feeling we’re going to get along just fine,” Daniel says as he winks at me.

In the meantime, as I’m trying to pick my jaw up off the floor, Jess comes back. “See, Kate, I told you, you look
hot
tonight!” I shoot her a look to kill and she just laughs. I’m
so
not looking forward to the rest of this night. Daniel just talked to Connor as if I weren’t standing right in front of him. What is this, the god damn fifties? He’s obviously a chauvinistic pig, and I seriously doubt we’ll have anything at all to talk about tonight.

I tell myself to breathe as I slowly sip my drink while Connor introduces Daniel to Jess. Interestingly enough, he doesn’t give Jess the onceover that he gave me. That is super strange,
everyone
gives Jess a onceover. They can’t help it; she definitely looks like a model even though she hates being classified that way.

Connor excuses himself to use the restroom, gives Jess a peck on the cheek, and winks at me. Daniel excuses himself to go with him after the long drive, which gives Jess the perfect opportunity to drill me. “Oh my god, Kate, he’s so fucking hot! He’s definitely NFL bound; just look at his build. If I was not
so
into Connor I would be all over that. My god, woman, why are you just standing there looking irritated? You’ve just been given a hot piece of ass wrapped in a fancy bow and he’s here just for you.”

She squeals in excitement as I sigh loudly. “Jess, everything isn’t about looks. So far, he hasn’t made the best first impression. He’s cocky, arrogant, chauvinistic, and ugh! Just remember I’m doing this for you so you can have time with Connor, but I really wish I was home.”

Jess glares at me and I know I overstepped—she’s upset. “Kate, I’m going to try and ignore the fact that you basically just called me superficial because you and I
both
know that nothing could be further from the truth. I met the guy two seconds ago and he is HOT, and you, my friend, need to get laid. You haven’t had a relationship in over three years. I want to see you happy. I want to go on double dates. I want to swap sex stories with someone who is actually getting some, but most of all, I want to see that sparkle that has been missing from your gorgeous eyes for the last three years. I know how broken you’ve been, and you have every right to grieve your losses, but it’s time to move on. My god, Katie Grace, you met the man all of ten minutes ago and have already decided he’s a jerk. Maybe he’s nervous. If I were you, I would give it an open mind and see where it goes. If it’s awful, well, you wasted a night. But if he’s great? God, Kate, if he’s great maybe you can be happy again. Besides, I don’t think Connor would set you up with a jerk. He’s
way
too over protective of you to put you in that kind of situation. When they come back, I’m going to ask Connor to show me around and you need to play nice with Daniel, if for no other reason than to do me a favor. Can you please do that for me?”

I sigh. She’s right; I
am
judging him prematurely. I guess it can’t hurt to see where it goes once he’s on his own. He got roped into this just as much as I did.

“You’re right, Jess. I’ll lighten up, have another drink, and give it a chance. Go ahead and tell Connor we need the guest room because there’s no way I’ll be able to drive later and we both know you can’t say no to a good drink
or
a good lay.” I smile deviously at her and she smiles back so I know we’re okay.

When the guys come back, Connor casually throws his arm around Jess who leans into him like a pro. Daniel helps himself to a shot of tequila and a beer. Maybe it will help him loosen up a bit so I can get to know the real him. I can definitely feel my buzz and realize that I better slow down my drinking. Jess, true to her word, asks Connor to ‘show her around’ and they’re gone.

The music is loud and the house is getting more crowded by the second. Once again, I’m reminded why I hate parties. It’s almost as if Daniel can read my mind.

“Kate, do you want to go outside and get some fresh air? The backyard is big and hardly anyone ever goes out there.”

It actually sounds like a really good idea, so I nod my head. Surprisingly, he grabs my hand and a couple of beers and leads the way. It’s obvious that Daniel knows the house well. He leads the way to a private little side yard where there’s a small fountain, swing, a flower garden, and a gardening shed. It’s really a beautiful space and it’s such a clear night—the stars are all out and the view is breathtaking.

“Wow, this is gorgeous! I would have never known this was out here,” I say to Daniel.

“Yeah, I’ve spent a lot of time here with Connor and his older brother Jake. This house was our home away from home. I used to live here with them until I graduated two years ago. Connor loves to throw parties, but I would honestly just rather have a few friends over in a smaller setting. Usually when Connor throws a party, it’s to impress a new girl, but don’t tell him I said that.” He gives me the most beautiful smile when he says that and my heart races.

“Sounds like he and Jess will get along just fine; she loves parties and she loves attention. Personally, I’m a homebody. I don’t like parties, either; I would rather be in a small group as well.
Honestly, though, I really don’t do much except go to class and study, I don’t have much of a social life—I haven’t felt the need to make it a priority.”

Daniel looks at me while he pulls a bottle of tequila out of his pocket. I laugh because I didn’t even see him put it there. He holds it out to me and asks if I want some and I shake my head. “I learned long ago not to mix alcohol types or colors or I’ll regret it in the morning.”

Daniel laughs. “Girls usually learn that lesson pretty quickly but some hardly ever pay attention to it. There is always one dumb enough to keep mixing up her alcohol. Usually, those are the ones at the end of the night who have someone, usually me, holding their hair back while they’re puking their guts up. It’s nice to know you’ve learned the lesson.”

Wow, maybe he isn’t so bad after all
, I think to myself. Not too many guys will hold a girl’s hair back willingly while she’s throwing up everywhere. I realize that I really
do
want to get to know him.

Maybe it’s the alcohol getting to me, but I feel the sudden need to ask him a question. Before I can even filter it through my head it just flows out of my mouth like word vomit, and I feel like an absolute idiot.

“Daniel, can I ask you something?” I don’t even wait for an answer; I just keep talking. “When you walked in tonight you totally checked me out, but when Jess came up to us you barely glanced at her. Why?” A very perplexed look flashes across his face. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s surprised I asked him the question or that I don’t know his answer already.

“Are you seriously asking me that, Kate? You seem like such a confident girl. Don’t you know how breathtakingly gorgeous you are? I saw you with Connor when I walked in and just assumed you were Jess. When I was giving you the onceover, I thought you were her until he said your name, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of
you
. Connor only dates beautiful girls—that’s his one and only requirement, so to speak. I was really surprised he wasn’t going after you himself. So, when Jess walked up I didn’t care who she was, or what she looked like, because I had already seen you.”

I know I have a dumbfounded look on my face, and I’m once again struggling to pick my jaw up off the ground. I have no idea what to think of him. I don’t think anyone has ever called me gorgeous, let alone breathtaking, before. Well, maybe Michael did, but that was a long time ago and it didn’t make me feel like it does when Daniel says it. I would definitely remember something making me feel like this. Even if it sounds like a pickup line, especially since we just met, I wonder to myself if he’s really a romantic at heart or if this is all part of his game.