I gaze up at the plethora of lit windows, my lips parting as I drink it in, then walk down the path and into the equivalent of a human beehive. Between the music, chatter, and cacophony of bodies, this place is buzzing.
“You good?” Tyrell murmurs, kissing the tip of my nose before literally getting dragged away from me.
“Ty, buddy, help me out here.” Two big guys who are obviously from the football team sandwich him between them, and he’s pulled into some discussion/argument over two people I have never heard of before. I’m assuming their NFL players by the way they’re talking.
I linger behind him, checking out the crowd as I wait for him to wrap this up.
He looks over his shoulder, throwing me an apologetic wince.
I brush my hand through the air, telling him not to worry about it. “I’ll go find us some drinks.”
Moving away before he can stop me, I head into the throes, steeling myself against bad memories. That’s not going to happen tonight. Tyrell won’t get drunk. And besides, this party has a different vibe. I think. There’s not the same dark edge in this place, and people seem happy-drunk, not dangerous-drunk. There’s a big difference.
Turning sideways, I inch past a group of girls as I head toward the kitchen, but I’m stopped short by a sight I wasn’t expecting.
Nix is storming down the hallway, shoving people aside. Tears are blurring her vision, and she looks about ready to fall apart.
“Nix?” I dash over to her, grabbing her arm to slow her down.
“Let me go!” She wrenches herself out of my grasp, then freezes when she sees it’s me.
“What’s the matter?” I whisper.
“It’s over,” she growls.
“What’s over?”
“He’s cheating on me!”
CHAPTER 42
DANI
A sob punches out of her as she covers her mouth. “I just saw him with his pants around his ankles. Fuck!” Holding a hand on either side of her head, she tries to draw in a breath, but she can’t.
Oh no. Poor Nix.
How can this be happening?
She’s supposed to be spending the summer with Ricky. She’s supposed to be moving in with him!
I gape down at her, not even sure what to say.
He’s cheating on her?
Here? At the party?
What the actual fuck!
I have to get her out of here.
“Come on, let’s go.” I reach out my hand, but she backs away.
“No. I…” Shaking her head, she holds up her hand. “Just… I need some space. I… I don’t want you to come with me. I need to be on my own.” Before I can argue, she spins on her heel and runs out of the house.
My chest deflates, sorrow for my friend taking me out, followed swiftly by a healthy dose of fury.
That asshole!
