"Okay... maybe just one," I say as I take my first shot of the evening, all thanks to peer pressure.
"I knew we'd convince you," Steph says and a huge grin takes over her face.
"What... is... that?" I ask as I swallow and scrunch my nose.
"Cherry vodka sour!" Steph beams.
"Your turn, Emma," I say as I try to forget the unwelcome taste in my mouth.
"Um, no thanks." Emma giggles.
"You promised!" I shout and playfully hit her.
"Um, guys..." Steph interrupts.
"Yeah?" Emma and I both ask in unison.
"I know I've already had a few, but I could swear that's Zed over there," Steph says with a puzzled look on her face.
"What?!" I whip around to see who Steph's looking at. "Oh, no... Who's he fighting with?"
"It looks like—" Steph begins to say.
"Nate?!" Emma says in a worried tone.
"We better get over there!" I immediately bolt toward the guys. "Hardin?"
"Hi, baby," Hardin says cheerfully.
"Um, what are you doing?"
"Enjoying the show." He smiles. "Here, come sit on my lap, baby."
"Hardin! Why aren't you stopping the fight?"
"Because Zed deserves to get his ass kicked." He smiles gleefully.
"Okay... I know Zed might deserve it, but Nate doesn't. Look how upset Emma is." I gesture toward her.
"Fine," Hardin groans before finally getting up to help.
I watch as Hardin pulls Nate back from the fight and another guy pulls Zed away.
"Don't you ever say another word about my girlfriend or else you'll be getting your jaw wired shut!" Nate shouts as Hardin tries to hold him back.
I watch as Emma rushes over to Nate and gently rubs her thumb over the bruises on his face. "What are you doing getting into fights, Nate?" she asks with concern. "It's not like you."
"I was defending you. Zed was saying all sorts of disgusting things, Em," Nate explains as he embraces Emma.
"He was just trying to start something. I wish you wouldn't have let yourself get sucked in! I can't believe Hardin was the sensible one tonight. No offence, Hardin."
"None taken." Hardin quietly chuckles.
"I think I'm going to take Nate back to my apartment tonight. We can't stay here while Zed is still here. I'm sorry to ditch you so early, Tessa."
"I understand. Just go take care of your hot-headed boyfriend and we'll talk tomorrow."
"Don't be mad at me, Em," Nate begs as he gives her puppy dog eyes.
"I'll deal with you at home." Emma pulls Nate toward the front door of the frat house.
"Good luck, man!" Hardin shouts. As Hardin turns toward me, he's met with an angry glare. "What? I didn't do anything, Tessa!"
"I know. Why didn't you stop the fight sooner?"
"I told you. Zed deserved it."
"I guess I should just be happy you didn't get dragged in, too." I sigh.
"Exactly. It was a win-win. Zed got his ass kicked and you can't be mad at me." He smirks.
"You have a sick way of looking on the positive side." I can't help but giggle.
"So, I'm not in trouble?" he asks as he wraps his arms around my waist.
"I guess not." I brush his hair off his face. "What happened anyway?"
"Zed was saying some pretty awful things about Emma... and you."
"And you still didn't punch him?" I ask in shock.
"I wanted to. I really, really wanted to, but I knew how mad you would be at me, so I used my words instead. That was actually more satisfying, especially when I got to tell him that you never really loved him. It really struck a nerve."
"How did Nate get dragged into this mess with Zed?"
"Nate was defending you and then Zed brought up Emma. He was calling her a... well, he was saying more shit he shouldn't. You really can't blame Nate for beating the shit out of Zed, not with what he was saying about Emma. It really bothered me, too, especially after what she just went through with Dan."
"Well, I hope Emma's not too hard on him. I can tell he really loves her. I think she's making the right decision."
"About what?"
"She told me she's going to ask him to move out of the frat house and into her apartment with her."
"Oh." Hardin quietly chuckles.
"What?"
"Nothing..."
"Tell me what you know!"
"You have to promise not to say anything to Emma."
"Okay, I promise! Now tell me!"
"Nate wants to marry her."
"Really?! That's amazing!" I squeal.
"But you can't say anything, Tess!"
"I won't," I promise as I continue to smile.
"But you know what that means, right?"
"No... What?"
"We have to move up our wedding date. We're first in line to get married and no one is taking that away from me."
"Hardin! It's only been a week and you're already trying to change our wedding date?" I playfully hit his arm.
"I asked you before Nate is going to ask Emma. It's only fair we get married first." He brushes my hair behind my ear.
"Let's talk about this later. I just want to go home."
"You want to leave before midnight?"
"I don't feel like staying with Zed lurking around here somewhere. We can just celebrate the New Year at home."
"Okay. You won't hear any complaints about that from me!" Hardin quickly pulls me toward the door and before I know it, we're in the car driving home.
When we walk into the apartment, I kick off my heels and leave my purse on the counter before pulling Hardin into the living room.
"What's going on?" He chuckles.
"Well... I thought that because you were such a good boy tonight you might like a reward." I smirk.
"Oh, yeah? What kind of reward?" he asks and raises his eyebrow.
"Something you've been wanting for awhile..." I push him to sit down on the couch. "How would you like a midnight striptease?"