Page 31 of Charger

“You’re lucky you pushed her off, or I would have punched you myself.” Garrett stands there, arms crossed.

Yeah, I don’t have time for the brother speech. I take off toward the doors, tossing my stupid-ass crown on the floor. “Jules!” Turning in every direction, I don’t see her.

In the far corner are two stoner kids. “Hey, did either of you see anyone here recently?”

“Uh, there was a girl and some dude. And a group of others. They left though.”

Some dude. Who the fuck? “Did she have dark hair?” The thumping inside my chest pounds harder with each second that passes.

The one kid lets out a puff of smoke. “Yeah, she was hot. They said something about a party.” My veins start to boil with rage.

“Did you find her?” Garrett and Lisa stare at me with concerned faces. Everything is muffled. The pulsing in my ears is intense.

“We’re leaving. Drive us to the party now. Your sister left with some dude and I have a feeling I know who it is.”

Tommy. I might strangle him with my bare hands. He even so much as lays a finger on Jules, and I’ll destroy him.

Jules

It’s only been like half an hour. But Zach has already blown up my phone, along with Lisa and Garrett. I text my brother back, letting him know that I’m fine. I don’t want him calling our parents, or sending a search and rescue team.

I’m sitting on the couch in the back room with Tommy. Yes, with Tommy. Not by choice. Well, I guess by choice. But there’s not many other places to go here, and at least we’re not by ourselves.

“Do you want another drink?”

“No, I’m good.”

He sets his cup down on the coffee table, scooting closer to me. He puts his arm around my shoulders. I can smell the alcohol on his breath. Just because I’ve been sitting here with him, doesn’t mean we’re cool. I’ve watched him do shots for the past ten minutes with his buddies. God, I am such a tease. I used him. I used him to get away.

I shouldn’t have agreed to come with him. Yeah, I wanted to get away from Zach, but this was definitely a bad idea. What a mess. Just as I’m about to text Zach, Tommy whispers in my ear.

“This dress on you.” He eyes me like an animal. “Is fucking insane.” I scoot away from him, shrugging out of his hold. “You’re serious right now?” His voice is angry.

“Yeah, I’m dead serious. What makes you think you can touch me?”

Tommy shoots up from the couch within seconds.

“You’re such a teasing little bitch.”

I jump up to meet him face to face. “Just because I came with you to this party, doesn’t mean I want to fuck you, Tommy. Get over yourself already. We’ve been through this before.” I fucked up, majorly. Now I need to get out of here.

Brushing past him, I try to head for the other room, but I don’t make it. He grabs my arm, jerking me back. The sudden motion actually causes me pain, sending the ache straight to my neck.

“Ow, Tommy, that hurts. Let me go!”

“We aren’t done here.”

“Oh, I think you’re fucking done.” Zach comes flying around me, punching Tommy right in the face. He falls to the ground, holding his bloody nose. I can’t hide my shock. It all happened so fast.

Zach crouches down in front of him, while Tommy holds his face, crying out in agony. “I’m going to say this once and only once. You stay the fuck away from her, Stevenson. Come near her again and you’re dead.” Zach stands, pulling me out of the room with him. We truck past my brother and Lisa. “I’m taking your fucking sister home, so you’re going to have to find another ride later.”

“Roger that.” Garrett salutes and I give him the silent communication of, “Thanks a lot.”

“Are you gonna let go of me anytime soon?” He drags me by my heels, literally. Zach doesn’t say anything until we make it to his car.

“Get the fuck in.”

“No, I won’t get in the car with you.” My hands are planted on my hips.

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