Romance: Duplicity (Duplicity New Adult Romance Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

girls?" Adam's getting them in, gin and tonics all round. “Not the cheap stuff I hope?" Tara inspects her glass comically before she sips.
    I have no such qualms about the brand of gin, and drink half the glass in one go. I know it's a bad idea, mixing with the wine we had earlier, but I'm thirsty and it's so refreshing. In no time we're all pretty drunk.
    The band is loud and we're shouting and laughing. Adam keeps buying me drinks and I know it's leading to the inevitable. I'm so used to it now, in fact it's part of the routine. If he didn't make a move on me I'd be insulted. He puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close. "We should do this more often, Hols," and it feels nice being close to Adam, familiar and safe.
    I'm leaning against him, glad of his steady support, because I've had too much to drink. He kisses my hair and for a brief second I wonder what it would be like to be with him. I like that he's kind of mine if I want him.
    Tara is watching us, and she's making faces like she's going to puke. Adam sees her too and we both laugh. Tara beckons me towards the toilets. I extricate myself from Adam's clutches. "Be back in a min," I say, looking up at him.
    "You better," he replies, squeezing my hand, and smiles.
    “Jeez, what is Adam like?" I shake my head at Tara as we stand at the mirrors in the loos.
    "You know Holly, you really shouldn't encourage him like that." Tara looks serious.
    "Wise up, Tara," I laugh, smacking my lips together as I reapply some lippy. "I'm only messing around. You know that, right? Right?" I can't believe Tara is looking so cross with me. Surely she knows me and Adam are only having a laugh.
    Tara gives me a warning look. "Well, steady on, Hols, because clearly he's crazy about you. Don't pretend you don't know, and don't come crying to me when it all backfires."
    I'm shocked by Tara's tirade, and meet her eyes in the mirror. "I'd never hurt Adam, he means a lot to me. Honestly, it's fine." I'm sure Tara's overreacting, but her reprimand makes me feel guilty. I try to brush it off with a joke. "Anyway, I think Hairy Hal is hot for you! Want me to put a word in?" I give Tara a playful nudge but she's not playing ball.
    Her lips are set in a straight line as she fixes her hair. "Just be careful, babe, yeah? C'mon, let's get some action. Watch out Hal, here I come!" Tara winks at me and I know we're good again.
    Back in the club, I'm starting to feel queasy and my head is spinning. It's so loud, Adam has to shout in my ear to be heard. "YOU DANCIN'?"
    "YOU ASKIN'?" I holler back. We grin and Adam pulls my arm and leads the way to the dance floor.
    "C'mon Holly, show us your moves!" There are two Taras calling to me now, grinding with two Hairy Hals. The wine and gin cocktail is kicking in and the strobe lights are flashing like lightning across my field of vision.
    "You OK?" Adam is mouthing to someone and he looks worried. I think he's talking to me but his face is a blur. My legs are like jelly and someone's moved the floor. He catches me as I fall in a drunken heap. Not so classy.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

    My thumping head in the morning reminds me sharply of last night's exploits. I waken early to the sounds of Tara's music blaring full blast as usual, with an undercurrent of muted voices. I groan as I drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom. The boots outside Tara's bedroom door signal that whoever she hooked up with last night is still here. Hairy Hal? Who knows. I came home in a cab, alone, after my wobbly moment. Adam had wanted to come with me, but I managed to convince him I would be fine.
    The warm jets of the shower bring me back to life and I feel invigorated, but my head is still pounding. I know there's only one thing for it. I dress in my running gear and shout out to Tara as I leave, "I'm going out to the Heath."
    There's no reply from Tara, and judging by the sounds of her bed squeaking, she is otherwise engaged. The thought of her getting it on with Hairy Hal makes me