Page 36 of Cheap Shot

He gazed down at me with an easy smile. He wasn’t leering or creeping me out.

This could be fun. It should be.

I sucked in a breath and smiled back.

This was normal. This was what people did at parties. I was perfectly safe with my friends around me.

Nothing was going to happen.

His hands roamed up and down my sides, stopping at my lower back.

A sudden wave of nausea hit me, and I pulled back. His brows furrowed, and he said something, but my brain couldn’t understand.

Everyone was too close. It was too loud. Too hot. I needed to get out.

“You okay?” Ella whispered in my ear. Her eyes showed her concern, but she kept a smile in place.

I stared back at her, and she somehow understood.

“We’re going to get some air,” she called over the music.

She pulled me to the back doors and pushed through until we stood out on the back lawn lit with dozens of light strands.

I closed my eyes and took in several deep breaths. I looked around as I relaxed enough to take in my surroundings. It was much less crowded back here. There were a few small groups, but no one pressing in on me. Once that set in, my body loosened.

“Thanks,” I told her.

She nodded and glanced behind me. Jay and the other guy were watching us. Jay stepped toward me, looking worried. “Are you okay? I didn’t realize you needed a break.”

I waved him off. “Yeah, just got a little too hot in there.”

The other guy huffed out a laugh. “Tell me about it. I swear there has to be a hundred people in that room alone.”

“This is better anyway,” Jay said. “It’s easier to talk.”

I nodded, though I still focused on calming down. I’d been so close to having a panic attack, something I hadn’t experienced in a few weeks. I wasn’t sure how Ella knew I needed to get out, but I’d have to explain later.

“Do you guys live here?” I asked.

They both shook their heads. “No, we live on campus.”

“Us too,” Ella said. “Henry Hall.”

I wanted to nudge her for giving away information unprompted. I wasn’t sure I wanted these strangers to know where we lived. I wasn’t really interested in Jay, and I didn’t want to accidently see him again.

“Oh, we’re in Granger,” Jay said. At least that was on the other side of campus. Little risk of us running into each other getting food.

“What are your majors?” Ella asked.

“Business management,” Jay answered.

“Same,” the other guy said. “What about you?”

“Prelaw.” Ella grinned. She told me she liked telling guys this to see their reactions. If a guy was intimidated or didn’t believe her, she knew to dump him immediately. If he was supportive, he passed the test.

“Really?” He eyed her and I bit my bottom lip, waiting for his next words. “You didn’t strike me as the attorney type.”

“Why not?” she asked, sounding curious rather than challenging.