Page 54 of Don't Think

“Oh myGodd.We need tequila m-moreoften,” Nora slurs, clinging to my arm.

“Maybe… maybe justonemore,” I say to Ana, holding up one finger like it’ll convince her.

She shakes her head and leans in close enough to shout in my ear, “That’s enough for now, girl. Slow down.”

I point at her, swaying dangerously while my vision starts to double.

“Youssaidwe were here to get drunk”—I hold up one finger—“andssteal someone’s boyfriend,” I add with a pout, slowly raising a second finger.

Ana bursts into laughter, pulling out her phone while shaking her head.

Then the next song hits—something fast, loud, and loaded with bass. The vibrations call to me, pulling me to the dance floor like a magnet.

I turn to Nora, tug on her arm, and point toward the overflowing dance floor by the DJ booth. “Let’ss dance!” I yell, already dragging her to her feet before she can even answer.

She nearly drops her phone in the process but eventually stumbles along. We squeeze through the crowd of people until we find a spot the two of us can fit comfortably, and I sway my hips back and forth. Letting the music lead my body while everything else just fades away.

I close my eyes and keep moving, not feeling anything as the alcohol plunges me deeper into a state of…not caring. Not caring if my dress is riding up, or down, for that matter. Not caring if anyone’s watching me like I’ve lost my mind.

I’m havingfun. Way more fun than I ever thought I’d have tonight. And that’s what really matters.

Then, I feel hands on my hips.

My eyes snap open, and Nora’s nowhere to be found.

My heart slams against my chest as I try to scan the room, but everything is spinning. Faces blur together, melting into one big, moving color-smeared mess that makes my stomach twist.

The hands pull me closer, and my body feels too heavy, too weak to fight it. So instead… I just keep dancing. Because deep down, I know I’m safe. Nothing will happen to me here.

Not with Ana close by.

But something doesn’t feel right about these hands.

They’re rough—not in the sexy kind of way, but in the kind that makes my heart lurch into my throat. The kind that makes my skin crawl as they travel lower, grazing just above my ass.

Fight or flight finally kicks in, and I use all the strength I have to pry the stranger’s hands off me and spin around.

“What’s up, baby? Wanna take this somewhere else?” the man slurs, his hand sliding back around my waist, pulling me flush against him again.

I plant both hands on his chest and push as hard as I can. “N-no,” I stammer, stumbling back from the force.

He looks at me likeI’mthe crazy one—but thank God, he listens. He shakes his head, muttering something under his breath, then disappears into the crowd.

And suddenly, I’m left standing there.

Alone.

In a sea of unfamiliar faces.

The bass still pulses along with the blinding lights, but all I can feel is the weight in my legs and the way the alcohol has me sinking like cinderblocks are tied around my ankles.

I don’t know where Nora went.

I don’t know if Ana’s still at the bar.

Panic starts to claw at my throat, creeping slowly up my spine when a hand suddenly grabs onto my shoulder.

I whip around and quickly step back, nearly stumbling into the person behind me.