“Sorry to disappoint,” Wyatt says. “I was on a date when Spence called, whining about needing his books.” He lifts the book bag off his shoulder.
“A date?—?”
His gaze finally flicks toward, me and the newcomer eyes me with open curiosity.
“I’m Terrance,” he offers.
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. With a quizzical look, he turns to Wyatt as if to askwhat’s wrong with her?But Wyatt brushes the silent question off. That’s good. I don’t think I can talk right now. It’s hard enough just to breathe.
“This is Cecilia,” he tells him.
I’m in the Zeta Pi house. Austin’s house. Is he here? Of course he is. Austin never misses a party, let alone one his own frat throws. I scan the room, looking for any signs of the boy who’s been hell-bent on tormenting me, but I don’t catch sight of him.
Okay, good. If we can do what Wyatt said, just get in and out, it’ll be okay.
I can do this.
I can be here for a few minutes. Not see Austin. Not talk to people. Leave.
I suck in a breath. Then another.
I’m fine.
Is it hot in here? I tug on the neckline of my dress.
“Have you seen Spencer?” Wyatt asks his friend. “I can’t stay long?—“
“Yeah. He’s upstairs in his room trying to study.”
“With all this racket?” Wyatt asks.
I focus on their conversation, using it to block out the noise and intrusive thoughts swirling around inside my head. I’ve got this. Deep breath.
Terrance shrugs. “You know how he is. Kid’s allergic to social activity.”
Can’t say that I blame the guy. I’m pretty allergic to people right about now, too.
Wyatt chuckles. “Cool.” He jerks his chin toward the staircase and steps that way. “We’ll head up and drop this off.”
Wait. Up?
Wyatt reaches for me, and on instinct, I step back.
Brows furrowed, he gives me a bewildered look.
“I’ll uh ... I’m going to wait down here.” Yep. That’s what I’m going to do. I’ll stay right where I am. Wyatt can go drop off the bag and then we can get the hell out of here.
“You sure?” Wyatt asks, his blue eyes warm and concerned.
I eye the staircase warily and try to tamp down on the fear flooding through my system.
Scenes from that night flicker across my vision.
Austin’s smile. Him offering to help me find my friends. Me following him upstairs. That was my first mistake. He led me into a bedroom he swore he’d seen Kim go into, and I believed him. God, I was so naive.
The moment I realized my friend wasn’t inside the room, that it was his friends in there instead … I should have bolted. But Austin was fast. He didn’t give me time to think before closing the door and leaning against it, intentionally blocking my escape.
All of it comes rushing at me, and suddenly I’m drowning. Hyperventilating where I stand.
