CHAPTER 48
JESS
I’d had enough of Luke and Tiffany’s public display. I needed a distraction, something or someone to take my mind off the image of them together. Leaving Tom’s side, I set off in search of Sam and Laura.
Weaving through the crowd, I found Laura and Josh tangled in a corner. I closed my eyes so fast that I almost got dizzy, so I grabbed the wall to steady myself. “Yuck,” I mumbled to myself, trying desperately to get rid of the images that flashed before
- me.
I could go for a sht of amnesia right about now. I never want to see my brother in that position in my entire life, and I never should have in the first place.
“Laura’s out,” I muttered, continuing my search for Sam. I was a little drunk, the shots finally kicking in, and I bumped into a few people, slurring my words as I apologized. “S–sorry, didn’t see you there.”
Also, where did I lose Tom? I stopped and scanned the house for a second, but everyone’s face started to become one. The music was too loud, and it felt like it was vibrating my heart, and the air was musty.
As a familiar song played, my face lit up. I spotted Tom against a wall, chatting with a guy I guessed was a football player by his size. I snaked my arms around his waist and cooed at him,
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“Let’s dance,” and pulled him back.
I dragged us to the center and felt the burn of the alcohol run through me. To hell with it. If Sam could
reinvent herself and Luara could somehow get my brother to be monogamist, then I would dance with the school’s quarterback. I pulled Tom closer and let him grab my hips and sway us. My arms hung loosely around his neck as we twirled, and then he put his lips on mine, and I opened my mouth to dive into the kiss.
I could taste a mix of drinks on him, but I didn’t care. I wanted to feel free just for a few minutes and not -not care about Luke, about the pact or Bryan.
Shit.
Bryan… why did my head go there?
Halfway through the song, Tom’s face turned pale, and I saw panic on his face. “I… I need to get to the bathroom,” he stammered, looking like he was about to vomit.
Tom practically sprinted off the dance floor, leaving me alone. I downed the beer I held, trying to shake off the disappointment and looked around me. Luckily, most people here were just as wasted as I was, and nobody cared that I was standing alone on the dance floor.
I closed my eyes and forced the image of Bryan’s face out of my head. I hated that he was still there, in the back of my mind, lurking like a monster. When I opened my eyes, I almost thought I saw him across the room, but I shook my head, and it turned out to be just some guy.
“I need air, muttered, looking for an exit.
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Feeling a wave of anxiety starting to form in the pit of my stomach. I backtracked, doing my best to weave through the mass of bodies. The world around me was becoming hazy, and I felt dizzy. Everyone’s face was blurry, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe deep enough.
Panic clawed at my chest, making it hard to breathe. I pushed past people, muttering apologies. Just as I stepped outside, I felt something catch my ankle.
Before I knew what was happening, I stumbled, and then I was flying… no, wait, falling, definitely falling. “Shit!” My arms flailed out but caught onto nothingness. I closed my eyes and hit the pool with about as much grace as a rock.
The shock of the cold water snapped me out of my panic attack instantly, and all the tequila left my veins. I was stone–cold sober now. I surfaced, gasping for air, and looked around to see Tiffany smirking at the edge of the pool while she dried off her extensions. I just narrowed my eyes at her.
Next to her was Luke, and on his face, I could see it. He felt sorry for me. I took a deep breath and decided that I didn’t care. I didn’t want or need pity.
Two can play at this game. Instead of cowering and feeling ashamed, I sleeked my wet hair back as I slowly stepped out of the pool. Fully aware that my purple bikini was painfully thin as it clung to my wet skin.
I spotted Sam running out with a towel, but I took my time, moving slowly and as sultry as possible. I squared my
shoulders, swayed my hips, and pulled my hair over my shoulder to wring out the water.
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I heard a low whistle from the side, and when my eyes flickered to Luke, his jaw was clenched, and I saw it in his eyes. He was furious.
Good. Let him be.
As I reached the pool’s edge, I extended my hand to Sam for the towel, but instead of wrapping it around me, I held it casually over my shoulder. The cool night air made my skin tingle, but I kept my composure.
“Jess, are you okay?” Sam asked, concern etched on her face.
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Never better.”
could feel Luke’s gaze burning into me, but I refused to look his way. Instead, I sauntered past Tiffany, giving her a smirk of my own. “Thanks for the swim,” I said sweetly.
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t respond.
Tom reappeared, looking slightly green but more worried about me than anything else. “Jess, what happened?”
“Just a little dip,” I replied nonchalantly, tossing my wet hair back. “No big deal.”
Tom offered his hand, and I took it, letting him pull me close. His touch didn’t ignite the same fire as Luke’s, but it was comforting in its own way.
Luke’s stare was practically drilling holes into the back of my head.
I leaned into Tom, letting my fingers trail down his chest. “Maybe we should get out of here,” I whispered, loud enough for
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Luke to hear.
Tom nodded, a bit confused but willing to follow my lead. “Yeah, sure.”
As we walked away, I dared a glance back at Luke.
His fists were clenched at his sides, and his expression was a mix of anger and something else something deeper.
Good. Let him simmer.
