Possess

hoarse laugh from behind. “Hello, Matt.”
    Bridget spun around to find Alexa Darlington’s green eyes staring through her. She was wearing the most gorgeous dress Bridget had ever seen: a kind of wispy tiered skirt with a sweetheart fitted bodice, all in icy blue with a hint of sparkle. Her deep auburn hair was piled up in a complicated twist, with tendrils of her signature corkscrew curls framing her neck and face.
    “Doing charity dates now, are we?” she said without even trying to hide her disgust.
    Matt drew Bridget behind him, as if to protect her from Alexa’s venom. “Are you kidding? I was lucky Bridget agreed to go with me.”
    “Like anyone here knows who she is.”
    Matt took a step forward. “At least when you get to know Bridget, you still like what you see.”
    Bridget stepped out from behind Matt to get a full look at him. His eyes were narrow, his cheeks pinched. Whatever had happened between them, he pretty much hated Alexa as much as Bridget did. Point to Matt Quinn.
    “Aw, that’s cute. Playing the big man in front of your little date.”
    Bridget bristled. She didn’t need anyone sticking up for her. “Hey, Alexa, don’t you have an entire football team to make out with? You know, now that you’ve worked your way through the spring sports?”
    “Bitch!” Alexa spat the word out; her eyes glowed with anger.
    “Come on, Bridge,” Matt said, taking her hand. “Let’s dance.”
    Bridget was painfully aware that everyone in the gym was staring at them as Matt half dragged her out onto the dance floor. Great, now she had to stress about an audience witnessing her total lack of dancing ability. Last thing she needed to do was embarrass herself further.
    Thankfully, sort of, the DJ morphed into a slow song, and instead of some half-assed attempt at hip-hop, Bridget found herself swaying awkwardly with her arms around Matt’s neck.
    “Can I ask you something?” Bridget said.
    “Sure.”
    “Why did you date her?”
    She felt Matt’s body stiffen and realized she’d probably overstepped her bounds. What were they to each other anyway? This wasn’t a real date, just some prolonged babysitting on his part.
    “I—I don’t know,” Matt said. His voice sounded far away.
    Bridget had no idea how to respond to that. “Okay.”
    “I met her last spring, right after your dad’s funeral.”
    Now it was Bridget’s turn to stiffen.
    “She came up to me after a game I pitched against St. Michael’s. And then, I don’t know. We were dating. I don’t really even remember asking her out, I just remember those deep green eyes . . .” Matt gave a shake of his head and looked down at her. “Can we not talk about Alexa?”
    “Gladly.”
    Matt pulled her close and rested his head against her shoulder. Bridget’s heart nearly leaped up her throat. She’d never danced with a guy before, but now she found herself wrapping her arms tightly around Matt’s neck. It felt good to be that close to him, the orangey scent of his cologne dulling her senses.
    It should have been awkward, uncomfortable, the worst moment of her life. But it wasn’t. She felt protected, like for once she could let her guard down. She was so proud of being strong, tough, someone who could stand by herself without anyone’s help. But it was exhausting. It felt nice, for once, to give in.
    Matt lifted his head from her shoulder, grazing his cheek against hers. His clean-shaven face was soft, and Bridget couldn’t ignore the chill that rocketed down her spine. Matt slipped his arms farther around her waist, wrapping them one over the other as he held her body firmly against his own, gazing into her eyes. Bridget’s breaths were short and her brain was fuzzy. Suddenly she didn’t care if the entire gym was staring at her, she only cared that Matt was holding her, protecting her. And it felt good.
    He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. Bridget wasn’t even sure if they were moving to the music anymore. She had a desperate urge to feel Matt’s lips against her own. She stood on her tiptoes, arching her face up to his. . . .
    That’s when she heard it.
    “Yesssss.”

Twenty-One
    B RIDGET BROKE AWAY. “D ID YOU say something?”
    “No.”
    “Oh.” Dammit. Not now. Not here.
    Matt pulled her face close to his; the warmth of his breath on her face calmed her. “Are you okay, Bridge?”
    “I’m fine,” she said hesitantly. “I just thought I heard something.”
    Matt put his arms back