I just didn’t know the extent of it until he groaned and pulsed before he quickly pushed off me and climbed to his feet. His naked body was lit up in oranges and reds against the lapping flames reflected in from outside.
Then Aaron, he smirked.
I blinked down at this amazing man who lay completely still, listening, knowing he wouldn’t judge me. But that didn’t mean my voice didn’t quiver with shame and agony. “He gave me this look before he ducked down and grabbed my clothes from the floor. He balled them against his chest and just...walked out with them. I couldn’t stop crying, Rex. Couldn’t stop crying. I kept calling for him. Screaming for him to come back. Not to leave me. Never in my life had I felt more alone than the moment when he walked out on me after he’d taken my innocence. After I thought I meant something to him.”
“That piece of shit.” His words barely made it between his clenched teeth.
My tongue darted out to wet my lips. “I stayed in there for so long. It was horrible. It was dark, and I was naked and alone. Finally...finally, I stumbled out to find him, trying to cover myself when I did.”
Grief clamped down on my heart. “I stumbled out and...there was...there was a bunch of kids from school,” I finally managed. Every word was filled with the disgrace I’d felt that day. “They were waiting for me to come out. They all just started laughing, like my standing there naked...hurt...terrified...was the funniest thing they’d ever seen.”
The group of about eight laughed. Laughed as I stumbled on my feet. My body sore. The trickle of something foreign ran down my leg.
My head dropped, not wanting to meet their eyes.
Oh God.
Help.
I twisted awkwardly, bending over and pressing my thighs and knees together, my arms crossed over my chest.
As if it might shield me.
Shield me from the insults.
From the jeers.
From the laughter.
I barely peeked up, gasping when I saw Janel at the center of it. With Aaron. One of his arms was wrapped around her waist, her body plastered to his side, her hands on his chest. He’d pulled on underwear and was casually draining a beer as if he hadn’t just degraded me in the worst way.
Oh God. No. My head spun with dizziness. Nausea churned in my stomach. I was going to be sick.
I stumbled a step backward, trying to quiet the cries that were tearing from my aching throat. Raking from me like broken glass. “Aaron,” I mumbled the plea.
“Oh, Rynna.” Janel took a step toward me, her blonde hair lit up like a ring of flames from the fire behind her. “You poor, pathetic thing. Did you really think he’d actually go out with you? Did you actually think he wanted you?”
“Oh my God...look at all that fat. Dude, did you really just put your dick in that? Not sure how you stomached it.” I didn’t want to acknowledge it, but I couldn’t help but look at Remi, Aaron’s best friend, who was laughing hysterically where he stood by the bonfire.
Aaron looked at him with a grin before he planted a kiss on Janel’s temple. “Like I wouldn’t do anything for my girl. And it was dark.” He hefted a shoulder. “Didn’t make it all that bad.”
Janel smirked at me.
Horror.
It spun around me in whipping, rending lights. The world canting.
Oh God.
Oh God.
“Ah, poor, Rynna Dayne, always such a good girl. But look at her now, nothing but a filthy, fat slut.”
Another string of lights. Flashes from a camera.
Picture after picture.
“Janel,” I begged.
