“I bribed the guy with the good stash,” Brynn grins, offering me one of the cups. “Tastes like lighter fluid, but it’ll do the trick.”
Evie hands Dakota the other cup.
I accept it, eyeing the liquid warily before taking a small sip. It does taste like lighter fluid, with maybe a hint of lime.
“God, that’s awful,” I cough.
“Exactly.” Dakota grabs my free hand. “Now c’mon. We don’t come here to stand around.”
I hesitate. The clearing has turned into a writhing mess of limbs and sound—bass thumping through the speakers, people grinding, hands roaming. I’m not used to this kind of chaos. It makes my skin buzz, but not entirely in a bad way.
Dakota tugs me again. “Come on, sister.”
I follow her and the girls into the fray. The crowd swallowing us whole.
Heat and sweat and laughter blur together. Dakota twirls, her curls bouncing as she dances. Evie and Brynn dance next to us wildly. I keep my movements smaller, guarded, but let the beat settle into my bones. For the first time in a while, I’m not watching the world move around me. I’m in it.
Evie leans close, yelling over the music, “See? Not so bad!”
I smile—an actual one, I think—and raise my cup toward her in mock salute. “Maybe a little bad.”
We spin back into the rhythm, surrounded by strangers but cocooned in our own reckless energy. I almost forget the boys in the shadows, watching like wolves waiting for prey.
Almost.
I can feel eyes on me. I turn away from them.Let them watch, let them all watch,the little voice inside my head chants encouragingly.
I take another gulp of the lighter fluid, forcing it down. Letting the warmth spread through to my fingertips and down to my toes in my black combat boots. I let my hips swing more, my eyes closing, and my head falling back. The simple tight navy dress I’m wearing is soft against my body as I move.
Hands wrap around my waist and hot breath fans my ear.
“Let’s dance, sexy.” He squeezes my hips.
My eyes flash back to the dusty carpet. Ice replaces all the warmth in my body. Daniel’s voice echoes in ears.
“What’s wrong, baby?” He pulls me against him, grinding against my ass.
My chest tightens.No.
“Get off me,” I mumble. It’s hard to get the words out, but it seems the guy doesn’t get the memo, and his hands travel up and down my sides, then further grabbing my ass.
Something inside me flicks on like a light, and I whirl around and knee him in the balls.
He groans, doubling over.
“I said. Get. Off. Me,” I growl at the guy, feeling stronger now.
“You bitch,” he hisses through his pained grunts.
I glare daggers at him then scoff, turning away and grabbing Dakota’s hand, dragging her behind me to an area where a large white sheet is strung up between two trees.
“Are you okay?” Dakota looks over me. “What an ass.”
“Yeah, just… flashbacks.” I shiver. “Had to get some air.”
“I understand.” Dakota gives me a small smile.
I let the clean air fill my lungs and exhale all the negativity out of my body.
