Page 122 of Dare To Break

Miles wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into the warmth of his side. “My girlfriend is the sexiest girl here.”

“You two are back together then?” Evan chuckles.

I rest my head against Miles’ chest and hug him tightly. “We’re soul mates. Nothing was going to keep us apart for long.”

“I’m going to get a drink.” Jace edges around us and storms off toward the other side of the hall, with Evan behind him.

Miles leans down to whisper in my ear. “Did he try anything?”

“No, but I’m pretty sure he was going to.”

“Don’t drink the punch.”

I meet his gaze at the warning. “Why?”

He flashes me his perfect white teeth in a boyish smile. “I think Kellan just spiked it.”

“Should we tell someone?”

“No. Security will figure it out soon enough, when people start staggering around. After last year, we all need something to distract us.”

The sadness in his tone piques my curiosity. “What happened last year?”

Miles’ gaze drops from mine. “Zoey died.”

My mouth falls open in shock. “Wait! That was on Halloween?”

“Yeah.”

“Lacy never mentioned anything.”

“I think this party is Lacy’s way of trying to forget what happened.”

“I thought they were friends?” I can’t see her or Brad through the growing crowd.

“Everyone copes differently with bad memories.” Miles’ grip on my waist tightens for a heartbeat before it loosens. “Maybe this is just her way of dealing with it all.”

Music erupts into life, ending any further conversation. Couples swarm eagerly into the center of the hall, bodies moving to the beat. Grabbing my hand, Miles drags me to join them. My dance moves are uncoordinated and stiff. He doesn’t seem to mind and pretty soon I’m laughing at some of his own chaotic and messy movements. I’m breathless and feel more confident by the time we leave the dance floor.

“Stay right here. I need to use the restroom.” Miles drops a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

He pushes his way through the packed ballroom, and past the security guards, who are prowling around, splitting up anyone making out.

The music changes to something with a faster beat. It thrums straight through my body and into my eardrums.

Minutes tick by, and Miles doesn’t return. Worried, I send him a text.

Me: Hey, where are you?

I scan the crowd. Lacy and Brad are dancing, surrounded by a few of the other jocks, but there’s no sign of Miles.

I check my messages, my concern notching up a level when I still have no response after ten minutes.

Me: Are you ok?

The air is hot and sticky in the packed space, and my earlier uneasiness returns, growing stronger by the second.

I can’t breathe.

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