CHAPTER 27: KISSING COLLINS

Catherine’s POV

My heart was still pounding like I’d run a marathon, and my palms wouldn’t stop sweating. I pushed the door open and walked out of that room before I could change my mind.

Julian’s words were still ringing in my head like a curse. "You’re too easy."

Those words hit harder the more I replayed them. I wasn’t even sure if I was mad at him or at myself. I mean, what the hell was that supposed to mean? Easy? Was he kidding me?

By the time I returned to the game, that bastard was already back among the crowd, leaning casually against the wall, a drink in hand, smiling at something one of the girls said as if nothing had happened.

The thought of him walking out on me, just to come out and laugh with other girls made me boil. I swallowed hard, grabbing the nearest drink off the table. God, what’s wrong with me?

I downed the drink at a go without caring what it was. The burning only made me angrier. A few girls turned to me the moment I joined the circle again, their eyes wide with curiosity.

"What happened back in the room?" one of them asked, giggling with an annoying grin.

I forced a smirk. "Nothing, other than me having to tolerate Typical Julian crap. You know... he’s unbearable."

They laughed, but one of them shook her head. "Come on, girl. Tell us what really happened. Did you guys kiss, perhaps?"

KISS. The word made me choke on my own drink. "No way! I would never kiss that moron."

That sentence came out like I was actually trying to convince myself.

"Don’t be mean. Julian is not a moron."

I let out a loud and sarcastic laugh. "Oh sure, maybe when he’s not too busy being an egotistical jerk who thinks the world revolves around him."

That same girl who continually defended him, spoke again. "Julian must have rejected you, explains why you hate him so much."

What in Mother Theresa’s name was wrong with her.

"Stop speaking for him," I cut in with a harsh tone. "He doesn’t even notice your existence."

That shut her up. The girls exchanged glances, clearly judging me now, which only made me angrier.

I could feel the anger bubbling under my skin, begging to be let out. And then Collins showed up beside me, sliding an arm behind my chair.

"Ignore them," he said, sliding closer. His voice was soft but mocking. "Those girls are just his ass lickers."

I laughed before I could stop myself. "That’s one way to put it."

Collins smirked. "If you need help distracting yourself, I’m available."

That actually made me laugh genuinely, maybe for the first time all night but when I glanced back across the room, my eyes collided with Julian’s, who was staring daggers at me and Collins. His smile wasn’t there anymore.

For a moment, I thought he’d look away but he didn’t.

The bottle spun again and I hadn’t even noticed whose turn it was until someone called my name, "Catherine! Truth or dare?"

I hesitated, before blinking and forcing a smile. "Dare."

"Grab any guy and kiss him," the guy dared me without wasting any time.

The room went wild with cheers. I didn’t move right away, my gaze automatically went to Julian. His smirk had returned. It felt like he expected I would pick him.

An idea popped in my head and my lips curled into a smirk before I even realized it. He called me easy, huh? Fine. I would show him how easy I can be.

I turned toward Collins before anyone could think twice. He was halfway through a sentence when I grabbed his collar and kissed him.

It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t practiced. Hell, it barely qualified as a kiss. Just my lips pressed against his, still, awkward, for maybe twenty seconds.

When I finally pulled back, the room had gone oddly quiet. Collins blinked, stunned, and then smiled, all dazed and proud like he’d just won something.

But I wasn’t looking at him. My eyes stayed locked on Julian.

He stood perfectly still, jaw tight, his gaze locked on me. For a second, I thought he’d explode, shout, walk over, and drag me away.

He just smirked as he got up from his seat and dusted off his jacket.

Then he set his cup down. "Game’s getting boring," he muttered to no one in particular. "Too many amateurs," before walking out.

The crowd went back to cheering, but I couldn’t even think properly.

Did Julian just leave with a smirk? He didn’t even care that I had just kissed Collins.

Collins chuckled softly beside me, brushing his thumb over his lower lip. "You really don’t do things halfway, do you?"

I managed a weak smile, before swallowing hard. "Can you take me home?"

First, he looked surprised, before he frowned. "Really? Now that the party’s just starting."

"I’m tired," I said, avoiding his eyes.

He studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let’s go."

The drive was quiet. Collins tried to make small talk, but I barely heard him. My thoughts were all over the place, guilt, anger, humiliation, everything mixing into one ugly knot.

When we pulled up to my house, Collins offered, "Want me to walk you in?"

I shook my head quickly. "No. I’m fine."

He hesitated. "You sure?"

"Positive." I forced a smile. "Thanks for the ride."

He nodded and drove off.

I slipped inside, went straight to my room, and shut the door behind me. My reflection in the mirror caught my eye.

"Congratulations, Catherine," I muttered bitterly. "You finally stooped to his level."

The tears came hot and fast. I grabbed my pillow and pressed it over my face to muffle the frustrated scream that ripped out of me.

Just then, a knock came on my door. I groaned. "Who’s that?"

No response. I yelled louder, "Who is it?"

There was a pause, before the voice I least expected. "Julian."

Before I could tell him not to come in, the handle turned and he walked right in.