“I’ll call him,” I lie. Thane said he’s going to a bar and by now, he’s probably found himself a woman for the night. I have no intentions of cockblocking him either. “Go.” I jerk my head towards an awaiting Brayden, hedging her a smile. “Have fun. I’ll talk to you later?”
Michaela gives me a big hug, whispering in my ear, “I have so much to tell you.”
I bet she does.
I hug her back and then she’s gone, bounding up the stairs to join Brayden. He extends his hand for her discreetly and she wraps their fingers together.
With a deep breath, I veer towards the front door, shouldering my way through the crowd.
The moment I step outside, I suck in a large gulp of fresh air, feeling like I can finally breathe for the first time since arriving at the party. There’s no loud chatter or music. Everything fades away into the background. The front lawn of the home is littered with red Solo cups and there’s no one out here.
I’m about to phone a cab when I hear my name being called out in a loud, exasperated voice, “Marlow!”
I peer over my shoulder.
Hank.
What is he doing here? Did he follow me out?
“I can’t believe you ditched me like that!” Annoyance flickers in his eyes despite the nonchalant smile he’s trying to feign as he nears. “How rude.”
I frown. My heart starts to beat fast. Something doesn’t feel right. Not in his gait or the leering way he stares at me. Hank, out of all the boys, was consuming the most alcohol and drugs. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was extremely high and drunk. “It’s not rude, Hank. I didn’t want to stay at the party so I left.”
“Just tell the truth: you didn’t want to kiss me in that closet.”
I have zero fucks to give now. “Okay. I didn’t want to kiss you in that closet.”
His face scrunches up. Stepping closer until we’re toe-to-toe, I realize he’s fuming. “You think you’re too good for me?”
Well, Hank, I’m still obsessed with your Coach and unfortunately no one else will do it for me. But I don’t say that. “Yeah, I do think so.”
Wrong thing to say. Hank’s face gets redder, angrier. He barks a bitter laugh and his alcohol-laced breath practically slaps me across the face. I hate the scent of it. I back a few steps on the pathway, almost toppling over in my heels when his hand jerks out and gropes my ass, squeezing hard. I gasp. “Well, maybe I’ll change your mind with a kiss.”
“Don’t touch me!” I glare at him, batting his hand away.
Except he wraps his arms around me before I can escape and yanks me into his chest. A strangled noise leaves me. “Come here, Marlow, and let me?—”
Twack.
Out of nowhere, a strong fist sails forth and smacks against Hank’s face, whipping his entire body sideways and disengaging the hold he has on me.
I almost tumble and face-plant next to him.
But a familiar inked arm snakes around my waist and draws me upright. I don’t even have to turn my neck to see who it is. I just know, based on the cologne, the harsh breathing, and the muscular planes of his body.
Thane.
Still, I glance over my shoulder and my throat tightens.
Turbulent green eyes lock on mine.
“W-What are you doing here?” I ask the only thing I’m able to, shell-shocked.
Thane grinds out, “I was parked along the street.”
“Why?”
Shouldn’t he be at a bar with his buddies? Shouldn’t he be with another woman, getting laid? Why in the world was he here?My mind races with questions.
