Losing Nuka (Litmus Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

Defective like me.
    Declan’s arms wrap around me from behind as he places a drink in front of me. I thank him with an appreciative smile. The rest of the group stare at us, their expressions full of hope and suspicion.
    “Please tell me you two have finally got your act together?” one of the girls asks in a high-pitched, excited tone.
    “No, Gabs. Still just friends,” I say.
    All of their faces drop in disappointment, but this is typical. Even in high school, everyone was pushing for Declan and me to get together.
    Eventually, as the night goes on, we all disperse from our little hideaway in the corner of the club for the bar, the dancefloor, or the bathrooms from having drunk so much. The drinks are coming freely, and before long, I find myself on the dancefloor with Gabby, both of us laughing and practically falling over one another.
    My eyes find Declan at the bar, being approached by a girl. Declan’s not one to be rude, and I can see him politely flirting back, but surely he can’t actually be interested in her .
    I know I have no right as the best friend to pass judgement, but seriously, he has the worst taste in girlfriends.
    An arm wraps around me, some guy grinding against me. I try to pull away, but he grips me tighter. With a strong elbow to the ribs, I make him take a step back, and just before I get the chance to turn around and punch him in the throat like Lia taught me, a hard body slams into me from the side, moving me away from him. Declan’s eyes find mine, his arms wrap around me, and our faces come so close they almost touch.
    “You looked like you needed some help,” he says, smiling.
    “You know, I could’ve handled that myself.” I smile back.
    “Yeah, and got us kicked out in the process.”
    We start moving to the beat, our arms still around each other. It’s not exactly a slow song, but we’re making it one.
    “So, having fun?” I ask. “The girl at the bar is probably missing you.”
    He pulls his head back, confusion marring his features. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d say I detect a hint of jealousy, Miss James,” he teases.
    I hang my head in sudden embarrassment.
    He brings his hand up to my face, brushing my fringe behind my ear. He leaves his hand cradling my head, and part of me doesn’t want him to move his hand away. The other part is screaming at me, “What the frick is happening right now?”
    Swallowing hard, I look up into his eyes only to see they’re no longer trained on me.
    “Shit,” he swears, dropping his hand from my face.
    “What?” I follow his gaze and there she is. Standing at the edge of the dancefloor giving us an evil stare is Cassia, the wicked witch of an ex. With her long legs and fake blonde hair … ugh. “You’re not going to go talk to her, are you?”
    “You know it’ll only be worse if I don’t, Nuke.” He pulls completely away from me and walks off the dancefloor, leaving me alone.
    Gabby’s no longer on the dancefloor anymore either. Storming off in a huff, I head for the bar. Maybe drinking more will help. Yeah, because alcohol is so known for making things better . I probably shouldn’t have any more, but oh well, it’s my birthday and I can do what I want to. Real mature. I tell my inner voice to shut up.
    I lean over the bar, trying to get the bartender’s attention by making my cleavage more noticeable. It’s despicably un-feminist of me, but it works and I want a drink. At least, it usually works. This guy isn’t giving me any attention. I need bigger boobs.
    Some guy approaches on my left, raising his hand to the bartender who promptly places two beers down. I turn to ask how he managed to do that when I’m met with a familiar face. Coffee Guy is standing beside me.
    He smiles at me, handing me one of the beers he just bought.
    “Thanks,” I manage to say, although it comes out quieter than I would’ve liked.
    “I thought you said he wasn’t your boyfriend?” He nods towards Declan who’s now