Chapter One
Six Months later-
Tate
As I step through the door, I’m hit by a wall of noise. The bass from the music is booming and I can feel it vibrating through my entire body. The air is thick with the scents of sweat, alcohol, and various other substances. It’s clear this is going to be a wild night. A night I didn’t really want to be a part of, but Maddie, the party queen herself, wouldn’t stop begging me to come until I said yes.
Navigating our way through the crowd, I see the house has been transformed, making it look like something fresh out of a movie. The living room, once filled with furniture and decorations, is now a dance floor. Neon lights shine throughout the entire house while bodies move in a synchronized rhythm to the beat of the music, jumping and swaying as they take up every inch of space.
Girls grind on guys as their drinks slosh over the rim, landing on the floor. I wouldn’t want to be the person who owns this house and has to clean everything up tomorrow.
In the kitchen, empty beer bottles and red Solo cups are scattered across every surface. The counters are sticky with spilled drinks, and my face scrunches up at the feeling of my heels sticking to the ground. A group of people huddle around the keg, taking turns filling up their cups and shouting over themusic. I recognize a few people from campus, but nobody I’m friends with.
“You want a drink?” Maddie turns to me as we step farther into the kitchen toward a large amount of alcohol spread out on the counter.
“Yeah, sure,” I raise my voice to try to speak over the music.
With a smile, she grabs my hand and pulls us through the sea of people, quickly making two drinks and taking us in the direction of the hall. I notice the bedrooms have also become makeshift lounges, with people sprawled out on the bed and floor, passing joints and taking hits from bongs. A couple is making out on one of the beds, oblivious to the chaos around them.
As I take in the surrounding scene, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. This is what college is supposed to be all about, right? The wild parties, the new experiences, and the freedom to let loose and forget about the stresses of everyday life.
Tell that to my anxiety.
But at the same time, I can’t help but wonder what kind of trouble I might find myself in before the night is over.
Nothing good ever comes from these types of parties. Hangovers, vomiting, and someone possibly drugging your drink.
We can’t forget about unwanted pregnancies—definitely don’t want that.
As we make our way back into the main room, my attention is drawn to people gathering around the couches. Everyone is yelling with excitement, and of course, Maddie being Maddie, she drags us that way. It doesn’t take me long to recognize several people once we’re closer.
A few friendly faces smile and wave at Maddie and me. No one I’m really friends with, though. The first familiar faces I seeare the four men seated on the couch. Mischief radiates off them like invisible waves, filling the room with electric energy.
Ace, the football team captain, is known for how sweet he can be. He’s pretty tall, with a strong, muscular build and dirty blond hair. Next to him sits Roman, the broody, not-so-nice one. He has dark brown hair and tanned skin, like he spends most of his time in the sun. You can tell, even with him sitting down, that he is tall, too. He doesn’t really like to talk to anyone other than his close-knit group. Even then, he still seems annoyed.
The next guy on the couch is Sebastian. Now, that’s one guy who scares the fuck out of me. Everything about him screamsYou come near me, and I’ll murder you and your whole family.I know my friend Mary and he have a history, which gives me another reason to stay clear from the dark and broody man. Speaking of Mary, I look over at the little couch off to the side she’s claimed as her own, and it doesn’t surprise me when I see her smoking a joint by herself. She sits there silently glaring at anyone who tries to approach her. Shaking my head, my attention moves back to the men on the couch.
My heart speeds up when my eyes clash with the last guy. Sitting there with his arms spread out behind him on the couch is Damon Carter.
Damon’s skin is a canvas of inked designs, ranging from small symbols to more extensive and intricate artwork. The tattoos cover his arms, neck, and even parts of his face. He styles his black hair in a way that complements the overall aesthetic, which I assume he was going for. He’s wearing a black T-shirt with blue jeans. Even in something so simple, he makes it look amazing.
Once we’re standing on the outskirts of the group of people, I see the one girl I hate, Becca, take a seat on Damon’s lap. She smiles down at him and anger that has no reason to make its wayinto my chest creeps in when she leans down to whisper into his ear.
I know I can’t really be upset. It’s my fault I am too much of a pussy to even make eye contact with him, but that thought alone makes me feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.
Maddie must notice my internal dilemma because she looks at me and follows my gaze.
“Come on, Tate. You’re too good for him, anyway. Plus, you look hot as fuck tonight. So, it’s really his loss, not yours.” She winks at me and grabs my hand. I look down at my outfit as I roll my eyes, knowing I don’t look any different from any other day. I’m wearing my usual black crop top with skin-tight jeans and black Vans with my hair down. It doesn't really scream,‘Look at me, I'm hot!’
It’s nothing special.
Letting my gaze wander, I watch as both Becca and Briana spot Maddie and me. They make their way through the party and over toward us in an instant. I brace myself for whatever horrible comment will come out of their mouths; only what comes out as they stop in front of us isn’t what I was expecting. Especially because I know Maddie doesn’t necessarily like the pair, either. Not to mention Becca has had it out for me since the day I met her and Damon.
“Oh my God, Maddie! It’s so good to see you. How have you been?” Briana asks.
Maddie lets her normal resting bitch face settle before she speaks up, her words matching her facial expression, “Hmm, well, let’s see, I was doing really good until you guys walked over here. Now, I’m annoyed by your voice and thinking how rude it was to ignore my bestie, who is standing right next to me. Not even a single hello. That’s kind of an asshole-ish move if you ask me.”
Both girls look taken aback by Maddie’s blunt comment, causing me to chuckle.
