Tasting The Forbidden

12. Little Pest

Melissa’s pov:

Bill and I were dancing to the music, like any two young teenagers would – low and sexy, wild and untamed – when someone cleared their throat behind us.

“I think you’ve had enough fun, little pest,” Lance let out, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, no sign of a smirk on his face.

“Get your own dancing partner,” I pouted, mock-glaring at him, knowing that provoking him was exactly the way to go for Billy, and tonight’s endgame.

“But you’re dancing with him,” he retorted cheekily, his eyes never straying away from my face.

For a moment there, the world stilled, and I wondered if he meant what I thought he meant. I turned with a bright smile to Billy, but he had the deepest frown I could imagine.

I nodded at him encouragingly, and was soon nudging him towards Lance... only the latter, too, sported a frown.

“There you go. You two dance,” I let out cheerfully, my excitement bubbling over for my sweet best friend who always had my back. “I’ve done my part here.”

“Did you now?” Lance’s dark mood seemed to affect nearby pack members, who stopped dancing to watch the drama unfold.

Neither Lance nor Billy moved to one another, and it just wasn’t going the way I had hoped it would.

Why were they shy all of a sudden?

“Come here, little pest,” Lance grabbed my hand and tugged at it.

Not expecting the sudden movement, I stumbled right into his chest, and my nose felt like it had hit a dam*ned wall.

“What was that for?” I groaned, giving Lance the stink eye, because why would I not?

Wasn’t he trying to make a move on Billy? It sure seemed that way with the way he had told me that I had been dancing with him.

But then, it hit me… Could he actually have meant me? He wanted to dance with me?

My eyes widened even as I backed away a little bit, confused and frightened beyond reasonable doubt.

“Thank you for always looking after her, Pierce,” Lance’s words made an unwanted chill run down my spine.

I had not expected such a turn in my wildest dreams.

“She’s my best friend,” Billy told him matter-of-factly, hooking his right thumb over the pocket of his jeans, not even a hint of the feelings I could imagine bubbling inside of him showing.

His unaffected front was almost unsettling, and I honestly feared the worst.

“Lance, you don’t understand,” I tried to interject, ready to explain that Billy had a crush on him.

Billy’s hand landed on my shoulder, and he brought me back into his personal space, whispering but one word, “Don’t.”

I couldn’t understand Lance. He had never shown such interest in me. Hell, he had never shown much interest in anyone… Everyone had begun to speculate at some point that he was gay, and was secretly entertaining guys whenever he could.

And yet, as his intense eyes settled over my frame, another unpleasant shiver ran through me.

This guy, whom I had once called brother, even as he always called me pest, was looking aggrieved, as if I had betrayed him greatly by stepping out of his hold.

“We should go,” Olivia suggested in a soft tone of voice.

“You don’t have to,” Lance let out, his voice mellow and almost tender, his eyes still focused on me, making me different kinds of unsettled.

A quick look at Billy told me everything I needed to know. My best friend might show a strong front, here with so many curious stares, but he was hurting beyond reason… of that, I was sure.

“We absolutely have to,” I retorted, having recovered from the shock somewhat.

I was soon tugging on Billy’s hand, and he followed me without another word. Olivia trailed behind us, her steps slow and measured, like that of a scared rabbit who wished to disappear, but wanted to appear calm in front of the predator.

There was no telling how things would change for us, how this would affect our friendship, but I already could feel my chest constrict.

There were so many things I wished I could tell Billy. He knew me. He knew I wouldn’t hurt him like that. I just hoped he wouldn’t feel like he had been played, or worse, made a fool of.

“I should have known better,” Billy let out in a dejected manner once he got behind the wheel.

I didn’t know what to say to that. Hell, what could I possibly tell him?

“I should have known better,” he repeated, the sigh that followed one of utter and complete despair.

“It’s okay,” I told him softly, even as tears stung my eyes, unable as I was to come up with anything really comforting to say. “It’ll be okay.”

“2 years crushing on him. Two. Years… and he barely even looked at me today,” he anxiously rearranged his hair, a tell of his growing hurt.

“I am so sorry,” I let out in a strangled voice, not knowing what else to say.

Why did Lance freaking Miller have to treat me differently, today of all days? If he was just trying to get his point across, then he truly was cruel to Billy… And I had half a mind to go back in there and give him a piece of my mind.

Billy didn’t shed a tear, but his voice was strangled as he let out, his eyes looking at me for the first time since we got into the car – which he had yet to start admittedly, “It’s not your fault, princess.”

“It’s no one’s fault really,” Olivia let out softly, reminding us of her presence, from where she sat in the backseat. “But I am still sorry your hopes had to be crushed like that, Billy.”

“You’re a good guy,” I held onto Billy’s hand and just squeezed a couple of times until his eyes focused on me again, “A skilled warrior, whom many pack members drool over. I am sure you’ll find someone worthy of you soon.”

“The sooner, the better,” he all but growled. “Heavens know that I need to get the jerk out of my system.”

“You will,” I assured him softly, just as he turned the ignition. “You absolutely will.”

I didn’t know it then, but that party, that exchange was bound to trouble me much more than I ever thought possible… and I just wasn’t ready.