At dinner, Liam gives me and Jacob a look like we're savages who haven't seen food in years. We can't help it; we skipped lunch, so by the time we got home from the beach we were starving. Plus, I can never turn down a good burger.

"I can't believe you guys are leaving me again tonight," Liam says, and I'm starting to feel bad. When we got home, I told him that we were invited to some guy's house. I made sure to leave out the 'pool party' part, but he still asked his usual questions: who is he? how'd you meet him? who are his friends?

Liam's definitely annoyed that Jacob and I have been spending our nights socializing with people we don't know, but he's also been pretty lenient about it. Considering...

"You can come with us," I propose, which causes Jacob to look at me like I'm out of my mind.

"Great, a good cock-block. Just what I need," Jacob says.

"Let me remind you little brother that I was the king of house parties back in my prime," Liam counters.

"Key word, bro: 'Prime'. Which, may I remind you, was 8 years ago," Jacob fires back.

"Okay boys, settle down," I chuckle. "Liam, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not looking forward to this party."

"That doesn't make me feel better, Fee, you know that. Have a good time and enjoy yourself. You deserve it. Just be careful; that's all I ask."

After we're done eating, I run up to my room to change out of my beach dress and into a pair of white jean shorts and a one-piece red bathing suit. I bought this bathing suit right before we left for Charleston, and while it's pretty plain and simple, the deep v-neckline makes me feel slightly risqué than normal. The cups are padded, so it makes my small boobs look exceptionally bigger. I top my look off with a pair of beige, wedged espadrilles and some red lipstick. I also decide to change up my hairstyle and use my Wave Wand to cast a few soft curls throughout my long light brown hair. I half it up and hold the two front pieces back with a white long hair clip.

"Fee, you ready?" Jacob shouts from the living room.

"In a minute!"

I grab my phone, keys, and lip gloss and messily drop them in my wristlet before making my way downstairs.

"You're not wearing that," Liam says once I come into view. I knew I was wearing something more sensual than usual, but I didn't know that it would be this big of a deal.

"Did I mention it was a pool party?" I innocently smirk, hoping that the statement will justify my outfit choice.

"A pool pa—," he doesn't finish his thought and grabs onto his hips. "I don't care what it is. Go change. Now."

"I think she looks great," Jacob chimes in.

"Fee...," Liam says.

"Liam, we're already late, please don't make me change. Howard's waiting in the car, and I even have this sweater to cover me up," I say, holding up the thin piece of cashmere.

"Fine. But, put it on," he says. "Now."

***

Greg's house looks similar to Justin's in the sense that it's huge and pretty traditional looking; the only difference is that Greg's has a wrap-around porch. There's a sign on the emerald wooden green door that reads "Entrance" with an arrow pointing to the backyard.

I had texted Cassie to let her know that we were on our way, but she never answered, so Jacob and I end up walking in alone.

Most of the party is stationed at the bar, while a handful of girls are in the pool playing chicken fight as they straddle guys' shoulders. There's also a steaming jacuzzi, which is right next to a pool house that, I promise you, can pass as a regular house.

"Feeeeee!" Cassie calls from the bar once she spots me. She's wearing a black, cutout one-piece under a sheer floral coverup, and holding a shot of, what looks like, tequila. I can tell by the annoyed expression on Kyle's face that she's already drunk. "Damn girl, don't you look hot?" she says as she twirls her fingers through my curls. "Looking to break some hearts tonight, aren't we?"

"Damn, Cass," Jacob interrupts. "You couldn't wait until I got here to start pounding down the tequila?"

She turns to look at him. "Don't worry, Jakey; I'm nowhere near done."

Jakey? Yup, she's wasted.

"Babe, why don't we pace ourselves?" Kyle suggests, reaching for the shot glass in her grip, but she smacks his hand away.

"Hey, get your own," Cassie says.

"Fee, I'll be right back," Jacob says. "I'm going to get a drink. Want anything?"

"No, thanks. I'm good."

"Vodka soda it is then," he winks before taking off.

Cassie follows Jacob to the bar, and Kyle tags behind her, which leaves me on my own again. I make my way over to the fire pit, and join a couple of girls on the couch, who look at me like I'm invading their privacy. I don't care, though.

Jacob eventually walks over, handing me a Red Solo cup that's fizzing with alcohol and seltzer.

"Nice touch," I tell him, referring to the umbrella pick and lemon wedge that's hanging off the rim.

"Only the best for the best," he says. "I'm going to take a lap around the premises; try to find the cute red-head that was eying me when we walked in. Care to join?"

"As tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass. Thanks for the drink, though," I say, holding my cup in the air.

"Cheers," he says, clinking my cup with his, before walking away.

I take a sip of my distasteful cocktail when Greg makes his way over to me. "Hey, you made it!"

"I did! Thanks for having me," I say, looking around the backyard and taking in the atmosphere. "Your place is great."

"Thank you! Can I get you anything?"

"I think I'm all set," I say, raising my drink in the air.

"Ah, someone beat me to it, I see," he grins. "Well, enjoy yourself, and if you need anything, I'll be around."

I take another sip of my drink and make a sour face before spitting it back into the cup. Yup, that's going to be a 'no' from me. It tastes worse the second time around. I should've known better than to trust Jacob's bartending skills.

I go back to the bar and order myself a gin and tonic, which I surprisingly finish in seconds. I then decide to go for a dip in the pool. Now, normally, I'd feel super awkward about it, but half the party's already in and the other half's pretty much wasted. I keep to myself anyways, and hang in a corner by the stairs before getting out after ten minutes.

I reach for a rolled-up towel on one of the lounge chairs, but a hand beats me to it. Looking up, I find Noah standing before me.

Droplets of water fall from his soft, yet perfectly suave hair, and he glides his hand through it so that the front pieces fall back.

"What do you say we change that 1-piece into a 2-piece?"

"What do you say I push you into the pool and make it look like an accident?" I mock.

"Ah, threats," he smirks. "Anyone ever tell you that you're cute when you're feisty?" He hands me the towel that he's already grabbed, and I contemplate taking it before finally accepting and wrapping it around my shoulders. He stands there, soaking in his black swim trucks. "I was kidding by the way...about the 1-piece."

"Look, Noah, I know we didn't get off on the right foot, so why don't we just call it a truce? You go your way, I'll go mine."

His brows furrow. "Trying to get rid of me just like that, huh?"

"I'm not trying to do anything. All I've been is honest and upfront, which is a little more than I can say for you."

"Tell me then, saint Sophia," he says, placing his hands together in front of his chest, "what have I not been honest about?"

"Hm, let's see," I sarcastically say, tapping my index finger to my chin. "Why don't we start with the fact that you told me it was Justin who wanted me at his party, when really, it was you who did?" I love the look on Noah's face right now. "That's right. Maybe you should teach your boy Justin how to be a better liar. I mean, that's your specialty, isn't it?"

I'm not looking for a response, so I walk away and head towards an empty section by the pool house.

"Okay, so maybe I tweaked the truth," Noah says as he follows me, and I whip my head around to look at him.

"Your vocabulary needs some serious work. Tweaked? Not even close, liar."

"What's the big deal?" He reaches for my hand and pulls me back so that I'm facing him. "You should take it as a compliment."

"Oh yeah. I'm flattered that Charleston's bad boy has a crush on me."

"A crush?!" he repeats in an insulted tone. "You think that's what this is? Wow, I didn't know you could be so stuck up. Then again, you are a spoiled, rich br-"

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence," I hold my finger up to his face and cut him off.

I lean my back against the white brick wall of the pool house as Noah moves in closer to me. My hands are by my sides, but he locks me in, placing his palms over my shoulders and against the wall.

"If I had a crush on you, you'd know it, and you'd love it," he says. His lips are so close to mine that I feel this desperate urge to kiss him. The rich scent of his musky cologne pulls me in, and I find myself enraptured. It's taking everything in me to resist.

I pull his hands down so that I'm no longer locked in. "Good to know that we're on the same page then," I say.

I can tell by the look on his face right now that he wants to kiss me, which prepares me for what I say next. "Just a heads up," I whisper. "Next time you try and kiss me...don't."