Page 91 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Not just any party, one of Nathaniel’s infamous pool parties. They were known for how wild they got, wild enough that Ronan always showed up. Sure enough, my oldest brother was in the shallow end with three girls, taking turns making out with them.

I rolled my eyes.

“Great. Just great,” I mumbled, annoyed that my house had turned into a frat party.

Then I spotted Goran.

I should have known he would be there. He was wherever Nathaniel was. He wore blue and yellow swim trunks, and from my spot high above the partiers, I watched him.

He had always been like an older brother. But today, when I looked at him…I got all hot and flustered. My cheeks warmed when he laughed, and then a girl touched him. I wanted to rip her arm off.

I had no idea what was wrong with me, but his hard muscles, tanned skin, dark hair, and crooked smile had me glued to the window like a stalker.

Aaron cannonballed into a cluster of topless girls, and the whole yard erupted. I looked away as he surfaced and things got heated.

But no matter where I turned, there was one of my male family members with multiple girls. Even Goran was kissing someone, and jealousy burned hot in my chest.

Turning away from the window, I leaned against the wall and stared across my room. Two thoughts crossed my mind.

First, I hated being so much younger. The age gap made it hard to connect with any of my brothers. Second, I never wanted to be like one of those girls. I never wanted to be someone’s poolside piece of ass. I wanted to be special to someone. To be all they thought about. All they craved.

My stomach growled, and I realized just how late it was and that I hadn’t eaten. I jogged downstairs, weaving around the people who were talking or making out, managing to avoid being seen.

I was hunting around in the fridge for leftovers when I jumped out of my skin at the sound of a guy’s voice.

“Heyyy, beautiful,” he slurred.

I whipped around, heart pounding, to see one of Nathaniel’s friends standing behind me. He was obviously drunk. I might have only been fourteen, but I had seen that glassy-eyed look before.

“Hey. Are you trying to get to the fridge?” I pointed over my shoulder.

He smiled slowly. “Maybe. Or maybe I already found what I wanted.”

My gaze dropped to his hands, but he wasn’t holding anything.

“Uh…okay.”

“Name’s Steve.” He took a step closer.

“That’s nice.”

He smiled wider, dimples showing in his cheeks, but the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

“What’s your name?” He stumbled over his words as if they were too heavy for his tongue.

“None of your business,” I snapped.

Turning back around, I grabbed a plate of roast chicken and a bowl of potato salad.

“Aw, don’t be like that. We can have a good time. I won’t tell if you don’t,” he whispered.

He was right behind me. I tried to jump away, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

I stared up at him as terror suddenly took over. He reminded me of Alex. That soft, sexy voice, the pretty boy look, and the smile that said trust me.

Humiliation rose, followed by bile and I forced it back down.

“Let go of me.” I tugged at his grip.