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She glances toward the hallway. “Okay, you’re going to head in that direction and then, after the first door, take a right.” Her brow furrows. “Or maybe a left. I’m pretty sure it’s a couple of rooms down from there.”
I should probably call him.
Before I can reach into my pocket and pull out my cell, she locks her fingers around my hand. “It’ll just be easier if I show you where it is. I’ve played strip poker in there a ton of times.”
That’s not a surprise.
From what I’ve heard, she’s done way more than just play card games.
We only get a handful of steps before passing a group of her friends. When Aubrey stops to chat, a couple of them glance at me as if they can’t figure out what I’m doing with the popular cheerleader. I’m silently asking myself the same question. At the moment, I feel very much like an unwanted third wheel. Unsure what to do, I shift before twisting off the bottle cap and taking another deep drink.
After a handful of minutes, I decide to find Austin on my own. Standing around with this particular group of girls is beyond awkward.
I stifle a yawn, covering my mouth with my hand, as a wave of fatigue crashes over me. It’s a battle to keep my eyes open. I don’t know what time it is, but it can’t be that late.
Where did this exhaustion come from?
Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised. This week has been stressful. I could probably crash for a solid twenty-four hours, and it wouldn’t be nearly enough.
I need to find Austin so we can take off. I’m over this party.
“Aubrey,” I say, tugging on her hand. “Thanks for your help, but I’m going to find him on my own.”
With a glance, she holds up one finger. “Give me just a sec.” She turns back to her friends. “I’ll catch you guys in a bit. There’s something I need to take care of.”
Ugh. Why can’t I shake this girl loose?
It’s not like we’re besties.
I should have snuck away without saying a word. “It’s fine. I’ll find him on my own.”
Instead of responding, her grip tightens around my hand before she tows me through the kitchen and down the dark corridor toward the front of the house. At least, I think that’s where we’re going. I’m a little turned around. We pass by acouple groups talking and laughing. A few people say hello to Aubrey, but this time, she doesn’t stop to chat.
She’s a woman on a mission.
“Here we are,” she singsongs in a high-pitched voice before grinding to a halt in front of a closed door. “Ready to find your man?”
God, yes.
Her words circle through my head.
Is that what Austin is now?
My man?
The idea makes my belly flutter with happiness.
Her gaze drops to the drink in my hand. “Looks like you’re almost done with that water. Finish it up and I’ll throw the bottle away.”
My eyelids feel like they weigh a thousand pounds as I glance at the plastic container. Strangely enough, the near-empty bottle feels equally as heavy. Her words circle through my brain but don’t penetrate. It’s like I can’t make sense of them.
“Huh?”
“Drink up,” she encourages with another smile.
When I remain still, she huffs out a breath and nips the bottle from my fingers before removing the cap and lifting it to my lips, not giving me a choice in the matter. Even though Aubrey has been weirdly nice, I want to find Austin. A splash of cool liquid rushes down my throat and dribbles from the corners of my lips.
Sputtering, I swipe the back of my hand across my face.
