For some reason, I can’t tear my gaze away. It’s like watching a car wreck. I want to look away, but my body is forcing me to stay rooted in place, watching as Colton’s hands roam over Lainey’s body.
When his hands begin to slowly lift the hem of her dress up her thigh, I think I see red. I am not going to make it out of here without a murder charge if I keep watching this.
“Dude, you look like you’re about to burst. Do you need another drink?” Mason asks, a smirk on his lips.
“No. I don’t need another fucking drink,” I seethe.
Mason holds his hands up in surrender, and for a minute, I almost feel bad for snapping at him, but when my eyes find Lainey again, the anger overtakes me.
Don’t cause a scene, Holland. Don’t cause a scene.
“No need to bite my head off, Holli. I was only trying to help.
I shake my head, looking down at the table.
“I said I’m fine. I don’t need help.”
Feeling Ryker’s knowing gaze on me, I look up with an expression that I hope conveys how pissed off at him I am. He didn’t really do anything, but he made me think about the feelings I’ve been having toward Lainey. Feelings I’ve been trying to avoid. Feelings I don’t even understand.
My fingers tap anxiously on the table as I wait for my anger to settle, but the more I watch that pricks hands move up Lainey’s thigh, the more I want to tear him apart.
She moves closer to him, like she’s enjoying his touch, and that pisses me off even more.
Keep your head, Holland. You don’t need a murder charge on your hands. You are too pretty for prison.
When Colton’s hand slips fully under Lainey’s dress, and she makes no move to remove it, my patience runs out.
Jumping up from the table, I barrel through the crowd to where the asshole and Lainey are dancing. They don’t see me approach, too busy feeling each other up.
I’ve seen Lainey with a lot of guys over the years. I’ve seen her making out in corners, in dark rooms where she thinks no one’s watching. I’ve seen it and it’s never pushed me to act this way.
The already confusing as fuck feelings just got a hell of a lot worse.
Chapter 13
Lainey
The feeling of alcohol running through my veins has me feeling more relaxed than I have in days. The music in the club is loud, and I can feel the bass in my stomach.
I wasn’t sure how tonight would end, and I didn’t really have any plans. I was going to chill out with my friends, get a few drinks, and dance the night away. But somehow, I found myself in the arms of a stranger once again.
I don’t know his name, but I think he’s an Elite because I’ve seen him at the mansion.
He’s attractive enough, and my drunk brain really doesn’t care. I’m having a good time, and that’s all that mattersright now.
The lights above me flash around the large space in different directions, and I’ll admit, I may have had a bit too much to drink because I’m starting to feel dizzy.
I don’t know what’s going on with me lately. I don’t know why I’m feeling so off, so unlike myself. It’s like things that didn’t bother me before are all coming to a head and making me feel emotions I’m not used to feeling.
For as long as I can remember, my parents have travelled and been gone for long periods of time. When I was little, it really bothered me. I would have nightmares, and Erica the nanny would have to come soothe me in the middle of the night.
I would cry when it was Parents’ Day at school, or at recitals where everyone else’s parents were there, and it would always be Erica sitting the audience for me.
When I met the Monroe’s, Mrs. Monroe would cheer for me, but it was never the same as having a parent there.
My parents should have been my biggest supporters, my loudest cheerleaders, my allies, but I wasn’t so lucky. I got the parents that were barely around, that made me feel like a burden, that tried to shut me up by throwing money at me.
As if that would make up for them never being around.
