But all I can think about is Sutton.
My phone buzzes. I quickly check it, hoping for a message from Sutton.
It’s not—just some stupid group text for one of my classes.
"Stop checking your phone!" Crew shouts over the music. "You're in Miami! Have fun!"
He's right. I shove my phone into my pocket.
"Dance floor. Now."
Pierce grabs my arm. He physically drags me downstairs. The music is even louder down here. Bodies everywhere. Lights strobing.
I try to let it take over. Try to just exist in the moment without thinking about anything else.
And for a few minutes, it works.
For a few minutes, I forget about everything.
Ashton's right. I need this. Need to remember who I am outside of the drama.
So I drink. I laugh. I pretend everything's fine.
But in the back of my mind, all I can think about is what comes next.
Chapter Nine
SUTTON
The front door opens, and the guys walk in. They all look a little rough, but they have that glow that you can only get in some tropical location.
“I’m going to bed,” Crew mutters. “My head is pounding.”
Pierce and Holden grunt something similar.
I try not to laugh.
“Little too much sun?” I tease.
“Little too much of everything,” Holden says.
“I’m going to crash for a few, and then I’ve got to do the grocery run,” Ashton says.
I feel guilty because I didn’t do the run. But it wasn’t my turn, and taking four days off definitely put a dent in my checking account.
My eyes go to Declan.
He looks rested. Happy. Everything I'm not.
"Hey." He drops his bag and crosses to me.
"Hey." I let him pull me into a hug.
He smells good. There’s a hint of the cologne he always wears and maybe a hint of cigarette smoke. I blame the airport.Brushing elbows with smokers. His arms are solid around me. Safe.
I hate that I'm about to ruin this.
"You okay?" He pulls back to look at me. "You texted me and said you wanted to talk. Had me worried."
