Pushing past them, my feet hit the grass. My heart races as my chest constricts. I fight hard for air to fill my lungs. I hear someone yell behind me—they oddly sound like Seb.
I need to leave this party.
Trying to focus on anything other than my heart beating wildly, I feel myself tilting toward the ground. My breathing comes in shallow gasps, each one more desperate than the last. The thudding in my ears drowns out the faint sounds of the party behind me.
Not now. Please, why me?
Sweat drenches my skin, as the world narrows. My knees buckle, and the ground rushes up—but I barely feel it as arms quickly wrap around me.
Images flash behind my eyes.
Tyler on top of me.
Anthony holding me down after locking the door.
My screams muffled by a rag shoved in my mouth.
The drugs made everything ten times worse.
The feelings of hurt, betrayal, and loss all come rushing back in like a hurricane. The memories drown and rob me of my ability to breathe as Seb’s arms close around me, pulling me into his chest. The pressure is too much. I don’t know what’s real anymore.
Chapter 14
Mary
6 months ago
"Let'sgograbsomedrinks," Seb says, grabbing my hand and leading us to the kitchen, where I take in the rows and rows of bottles lined up on the counter. Vodka, rum, whiskey—you name it.
The whole house is packed. People are squeezing past each other as they go up the stairs, long lines forming for the bathrooms. I can feel the crunch of chips under my feet the farther I follow Seb into the kitchen. It already smells like sweat and vomit.
"What do you want, Little Rebel?" Seb gives me a mischievous smirk over his shoulder. With a matching smile, I run my hands along the back of his shirt.
"Anything," I whisper in his ear so only he can hear me. The look he gives me would make any woman melt into a puddle. These parties always end with my back on his bed and himbetween my thighs—the perfect ending to a fun night. And I have no doubt tonight will end the same way. I can't wait.
He turns his attention back to the drinks and begins to make whatever concoction he can come up with while my eyes roam the room. Everyone from campus is here, including the most infuriating pair of brothers—the ones who have tried to get under Seb’s skin since day one. Always wanting everything he has, even when they already have anything they could possibly want.
My eyes clash with Anthony's, and he sends me a wink before turning his attention back to the poor blonde clinging to his arm. She'll learn soon enough that he's just using her. Seb breaks my thoughts when he turns around and hands me a red cup full of liquid.
I bring the rim to my mouth and almost choke as it hits my tongue. "Jesus. How much alcohol did you put in this, Seb?" I gag before letting out a laugh. He only shrugs. "Probably a little too much." Strong arms loop around my waist. I bring my arms around Seb's neck, careful not to spill the drink still in my hand as he bends down. His lips barely touch mine, drawing me in for a gentle kiss. He moves his lips from my mouth to the column of my throat. My eyes close as I get lost in the way he feels against me. Everything else disappears. It's only us.
"Seb," I whimper, suddenly wanting a lot more than what he's giving me. His chuckle vibrates through my body. "What's wrong, Little Rebel? Need something?" He pulls back, looking down at me with the same need coursing through me.
"Take me upstairs." I press a kiss to his chest, since I can't reach his neck. I watch as Seb downs the rest of his drink and sets the empty cup on the counter before grabbing my hand. A football being tossed in our direction causes him to drop his hold on me and catch the ball with an oomph.
"Nice catch, Seb!" Winston, one of the guys from the football team, calls out, jogging into the kitchen to get the ball back. Seb hands it over to Winston, and I take the chance to take another sip of my drink. Jesus. A little bit of juice or soda would've gone well with this much liquor.
"Come meet the new guys on the team. I doubt Ace has introduced you all, but I think you'll like them," I hear Winston say, but Seb hesitates. His hand finds mine again.
"Maybe another time, man," Seb begins, but I cut in.
"You can go, Seb. I'll be just fine right here with my cup of vodka." I laugh, and he smiles before leaning down to press his lips to mine again, not caring that Winston is waiting.
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you alone with all these people." His hand squeezes mine. I know if I said I minded, he wouldn't hesitate to tell Winston off. But I can entertain myself for twenty minutes.
"I’ll be just fine. Meet you upstairs in one of the guest rooms in, say, half an hour?" My finger runs down his chest, stopping just above his jeans. His eyes darken with lust—I’ve got him.
"Thirty minutes. Not a second longer." He kisses me again, longer this time, before releasing me and leaving the kitchen with Winston. A smile on my face, I set my cup on the counter and pull out my phone, opening my text thread with Maddie.
