“Alright,” Sal says eventually, tugging Jace along. “Ferris wheel time!”
“Okay, okay.” I wave them off. “I’ll grab something to eat while you guys go. Meet me by the food stands?”
“Yes! See you in a few!” she calls back, already dragging Jace into the crowd.
I watch them disappear, the colors and noise swallowing them up, and head toward the food stalls. The smell of funnel cake draws me in like a magnet.
I'm almost there when I feel it… that crawling sensation on the back of my neck.
I glance up.
And lock eyes with Cole.
I tear my gaze away, willing my feet to move. I need todisappear, melt into the crowd. But I’m too slow. He’s already here.
“Well, hello, gorgeous,” Cole drawls as he reaches me, the reek of beer rolling off him in heavy waves. His voice is syrupy and fake. I shift away, but he steps in closer, blocking me in with his body.
“Where’s that bitch Sal? She’s usually glued to your hip.”
“Don’t call her that,” I snap, but the words are too soft and brittle to have teeth. He smirks like he knows it, and before I can react, he grabs my arm, his fingers sinking into my skin. I flinch, my pulse skyrocketing.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he says, already steering me away from the food stands, dragging me toward the dark edge of the fair.
“No, thanks. Sal and Jace will be back any second,” I lie, my voice shaking. He laughs, a low, ugly sound, tightening his grip when I resist. He knows I’m bluffing.
The crowd thins as he pulls me behind the game booths. I wrench my arm, trying to break free, but he slams me against the rough concrete wall. Pain bursts up my spine. I cry out, the sound small, useless against the noise of the fair.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” he snarls, his breath sour against my face. I turn my head away, trying to push him off, my hands scrambling against his chest, but he’s too strong. His body cages me in, his shadow swallowing mine.
“Look at me,” he growls, grabbing my jaw roughly.
Tears sting my eyes, my breaths coming out ragged. My heart slams against my ribs. A tremor ripples through my body as I squeeze my eyes shut and brace for whatever comes next.
And then?—
He’s gone.
The pressure disappears so suddenly that I stumble forward. I blink, disoriented, and then I see him.
Theo.
He stands between me and Cole, tense and furious,a storm barely contained. His fists are clenched at his sides, his whole body vibrating with rage. I press a shaking hand against the wall to steady myself.
“Touch her again,” Theo says, his voice low and lethal, “and I’ll break your fucking face.”
Cole scoffs, that same stupid grin twisting across his face like this is just another game to him. He shifts like he’s going to lunge.
Theo moves first.
One clean, brutal punch slams into Cole’s jaw. The crack of it echoes through the night air. Cole stumbles back, stunned, blood already blooming from his nose. He clutches at the wall for balance, swearing under his breath as security charges toward us.
Within seconds, they’re on him, hauling him away, barking orders he’s too drunk and dazed to argue with. He tries to twist free but fails, cursing Theo as they drag him off into the crowd.
And just like that, it’s over.
Or at least, it should be.
My body gives out, sliding down the wall until Theo catches me. His arms wrap around me, lifting me against him like I'm fragile. His heart hammers against my ear as I clutch the front of his hoodie in both fists, the adrenaline draining out of me all at once.
