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Dancing like this is how I imagined going to high school would be. Dancing and laughing with my friends while the party goes on around us. It’s more fun than I ever would have imagined, because I didn’t really want to think about what I was missing by being invisible.

I never could have imagined being here with the guys. Being in love.

Maybe it would have been worth the risk, but then I wouldn’t have what I have now. Five guys fully devoted to me.

At some point, I notice the guys on one of the couches sitting off to the side. A few football players stop and talk with them, but I can tell they’re watching me.

After a while, Jack stands and makes his way over to us. He crowds against my back, sending shivers dancing through my body. He moves with me, touching me lightly as we flow in time with the music.

Every touch is like liquid fire, lighting me up.

After a while, I’m hot from the dancing and his touch. I lean into Kenz and say, “I need something to drink.”

She pouts and then hugs me to her. She yells in my ear, “I call dibs on tomorrow afternoon. We haven’t had girls’ day in a while.”

“It’s a deal.” I kiss her cheek as Jack leads me off the dance floor.

Nico holds out a drink to me, and I climb onto his lap, resting my head against his shoulder and staring out at the party as I sip at the rum and Coke.

The others are talking around us. When I finish the cup, Nico takes it from me and passes it to Caden, who refills it.

“Easy on the alcohol, sunshine,” Nico says in my ear. “Don’t want you to pass out before we fuck tonight.”

I meet his dark eyes and take a sip. I lean in to his ear until my lips brush his skin. “Like that would stop you. I love it when you wake me up fucking me.”

He repositions me on his lap so I can feel how hard he is. “I’m just glad I can take this brace off and fuck you how I want to.”

My insides shimmer. I loved our time discovering ways to make sure he wouldn’t get more injured, but when he takes control of me with the others or on his own... there’s just nothing quite like it. He tips my chin up and kisses me.

“You could let the poor girl breathe once in a while.” Ashley’s voice makes me pull away. She shakes her head at us, but she’s still smiling. Emma and Mike are going strong, and Hannah and Brewster are a thing. They don’t label it like Mike and Emma, but it seems like Hannah really likes him.

“Anything new, Ashley?” Nico asks as I rest my head back on his shoulder and sip my drink.

Ashley stands in front of us with her hip cocked and her arms crossed.

“Thankfully, no.” She looks over at the others. Her long ponytail swings back and forth as she turns back. “They’re moving forward with Tanner’s trial.”

His team has been filing continuances and dragging it out, but Cameron said this is all the usual stuff. Nora’s been formally charged, and the trial is still pending, motions being filed.

“Everyone seems back to normal.” Ashley blows out a breath. “Went to visit Sidney because she asked.”

I stiffen. Eli turns at that. “She asked for you?”

Ashley sighs. “Yeah, she wanted to apologize for what she’s done. Said it was one of her steps.” She rolls her eyes. “But I think she just wanted to see if I’d give her any information.”

“Did you?” Eli asks.

“No, she can rot for all I care. I owe her for trapping me in that fucking office and I’ll get back at her for it, but I wanted to find out what her timeline looked like and when she might come back to school.” Ashley laughs. “It’s not going to be the same as when she left. No one will put up with her bullshit.”

I release the breath I was holding. Sidney has definitely fallen off the radar here. And no one misses her, which would be sad except for the fact she tried to help her boyfriend rape me. Maybe the drugs really did mess with her head. Or maybe she was always a monster and just picked a guy who didn’t have some moral compass this time.

My guys may have dark sides, but they would never take it as far as Zach and Sidney did.

“Anyway, just wanted to update you.” Ashley checks her phone. Her eyes light up. “I have a previous engagement to get to.”

Eli turns to me as Ashley walks away without another word. He takes my hand and squeezes it reassuringly. “Sidney holds no power anymore.”

“I know.” I thread my fingers with his. The party is fun, but I can’t wait until later when the guys take me home. Where I can wake up in Caden’s bed surrounded and safe.