Page 38 of Cheap Shot

That was a mistake.

I shouldn’t have come. I should have left the second I saw how many people were here. I fought my way upstairs and found a line for the bathroom. Two girls were talking together, so I approached them.

“Hey, do either of you have a phone I could borrow?” I kept a small smile on my face, trying to look normal.

One of them nodded and handed over hers. I moved to the end of the hall where she could still see me, but I would hopefully be able to hear better.

I dialed Ethan’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. Was it turned off? The only other number I had memorized was Reid, thanks to Ethan’s encouragement. He said they were usually together so if I couldn’t get ahold of him, Reid was the next best option, and having a backup make me feel better about going out.

I called him next, but it rang several times before going to voice mail. Maybe he didn’t want to pick up if he didn’t know the number. I never answered calls from people I didn’t know.

It was my only hope, though. The panic was creeping up again. Even though I knew I was relatively safe now, my body was still freaking out. Too many touches. Too many people. Too little control.

I called again, and this time I heard him.

“Hello?”

“Reid?” I closed my eyes.

“Hello?”

Could he not hear me? I checked the phone. The call was still connected.

I choked on a sob. I needed him.

“There you are.”

I glanced up. Jay was marching toward me. He stopped so close to me, he was in my space. His chest was practically touching mine. It was too much.

My breathing was coming faster, and Jay smiled.

Something about him was wrong. I couldn’t pin point what, but my gut was screaming at me to get away.

“Leave me alone.” I didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

“Who is this?” Reid asked.

I shoved past Jay then turned and ran into the open bathroom before someone else could step in.

I threw my back against the door and locked it. Someone banged on it, but I ignored them and looked down at the phone.

The call ended.

No. I needed him.

I called him again and waited for his voice.

“Who is this?” he sounded worried.

“Reid, it’s Haley.”

“Haley?” He yelled at someone to turn off a game. “Where are you?”

“Alpha Gamma––”

“Are you okay?”

“No, I can’t find my friends, and there’s this guy.” I rubbed my forehead. I didn’t feel right. A memory was tugging at my brain, but I had to focus.