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“Yeah, I’m an idiot.” Ihug her before she leaves, saying she’s going to find Deb and her friend before walking me to the car.
I see Deb and her friend going upstairs and wonder what’s keeping Shay. I’m ready to go. A while later I see what’s keeping Shay. She’s pressed up against a wall with some guys hand up her shirt. I shake my head at what she’s using to distract her from thinking of Trigg. I’m out of here. Landon should be arriving at my house soon. I send him a text telling him I stepped out for a minute, but I’ll be home soon. He texts me back—he’s running late but he’ll be there.
I smile at my phone in my hand. Just as I get to the door, a hand lands on my shoulder. Not in the mood to be hit on or go upstairs for an orgy, I frown and brush off the offending hand.
“Your boyfriend’s not here tonight. You’re allowed to dance with me,” the voice says in my ear.
I whip around and do a double-take. It’s him. Perfect Smile. “What are you doing here?”
He has a beer bottle in his hand. He takes a huge gulp and smiles wider. “I’m here to see you, pretty girl. Waiting on my dance.”
“Goodbye.” I reach for the door. He stands in front of it blocking my way. Like the night at the bar. He’s big, imposing and I step back. “Please move out of my way.”
“Don’t be like that, Lacey. We’re friends now. I’ve met your friends.” He leans in, forcing me to inhale the stench of alcohol. “Your mother, she loves me. I know she’s waiting for us to go on that date.” He reaches out, stroking the side of my neck, almost in a caress.
It’s a touch I don’t want. If Landon was here, he would flip. It’s not okay for him to touch me like this. It’s creeping me out. I brush his hand away and say it.
“Don’t touch me again. It’s making me uncomfortable. It’s creepy. Get out of my way.” I put up the bravest front I can, loud enough to clearly hear me over the music. There are a few people standing around us, but they don’t pay any attention.
His eyes squint. The smile of a moment ago turns to a nasty sneer. Shadowed in the dim light, it’s anything but charming. As if his touch from before is sliding up the back of my neck, a sliver of a shiver rolls through me as he stares down at me, hard and cold.
“I bet he touches you all the time. You don’t mind then, do you? You like it, but he’s nothing compared to me. He’s just some punk, a nobody. One date is all I ask.”
“Never. You could never give me anything I’d want, ever.” I bite the words out, alarmed and disgusted at his bizarre behavior.
Not blinking, eyes pinned on me, he swirls the bottle around in his hand. “See you around, sweet Lacey,” he said, all trace of emotion gone. He moves aside, barely giving me enough room to open the door without touching him. I don’t look back.
As soon as I get out, a rush of air leaves my lungs in a wealth of relief. My hand goes over my chest, and I drop my head, chin on my chest. “Fuck.” What the hell? Why do I keep running into that guy? I look up and down the street. We didn’t park too far from here, but all of a sudden it seems like it’s so far away and really, really dark.
I would go back in to get Deb, but I can’t— not with him in there. Something about that guy is not right. He looks fine from the outside, but God, the way he looks at me, his touch? It sets off something in me that screams not right.
The street is quiet as I come off the steps. Not a sound. A marked difference from the booming noise of the house packed with people. It’s creepy out here, so silent and still. They picked a great place for a party they didn’t want the cops to bust up because of disgruntled neighbors. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I walk. I take a look back; the house still visible. I get off the sidewalk to walk in the street, but still don’t feel secure.
As I turn the corner, the house disappears from view, and my fear spikes up. Phone in my hand, I run-walk to Shays car that’s still a good distance away, parked behind a truck. I reach the car, out of breath, fumbling to open the door. I get it open, slam the door behind me, and make sure all the doors are locked before sinking down in the seat. Finally relieved to be safely in, but shaken, I call Landon.
“What frat party?” He sounds upset.
“I came with Shay to find Trigg. They got into another nasty fight. I’m in the car; I’m driving home.”
“Where’s Shay?”
“She’s at the party. But she gave me her keys. I’m good.”
“She left you alone, after you went with her to look for her boyfriend? What the fuck, Lacey?”
“Landon, stop, I’m fine.” I wish I could have gotten back way before him. He′s going to be super pissed at Shay. He’s going to say she’s pulling me into her drama, which is not true. The way she was acting, I wanted to make sure she was all right.
“I have words for your sister. But as long as you’re okay, I’ll be waiting for you in front of your house. How’s the car? You sure you don’t want me to come get you?”
“No, it’ll take twice as long. The car is fine. She just got it back from the mechanic.”
I hear the long sigh of reluctance, but he doesn’t argue about coming to get me. Instead, he says, “I love you. Drive safe.”
“I will. Love you.” I love the way he cares about me.
I drop the phone on the seat and start up the engine. It cranks up, roaring to life, and the radio comes on. Then everything stops. “Lord. Don’t do this to me now, you piece-of-shit car. Not now, not tonight, please,” I beg, turning the key, hoping it’ll rev to life. It doesn’t. I put my head on the wheel, taking deep breaths. I know what Shay does when this happens, but I have to get out. I look out the windows of the car, fretting, faced with the task of stepping out of my safe place in the car. It’s either that or wait twice as long out here for Landon, by myself, and make him even more angry with Shay.
I shut my eyes, tapping the wheel. I'll be fine. The faster I get out of this car and get under the hood, the faster I can get this car moving, be on my way to Landon, and show him I'm safe and sound. A deep breath and another look around, and I open the car door, jump out, flip the hood up and get to work. Three minutes of eternity later, I slam the hood to jump in quickly but the door is locked.
A noise makes me jump, sending my heart rate spiking. I frantically look behind me and unsuccessfully try to open the door with the key. It finally slips in. I open the door, heart pumping, and I start to lean in when a hand clamps shut over my mouth and nose with stifling brute strength, sealing in the piercing scream I let loose.
