Page 48 of Her Bully

“Keep telling yourself that.”

Eventually he pulls up in front of a secluded A-frame cabin with a large porch nestled among towering pine trees, the faint sound of music drifting through the night air. I step out of the vehicle, with a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension at the prospect of walking into this party with Gauge swirling in the depths of my belly.

As we make our way towards the cabin, I catch sight of Lauren and her newfound friend walking ahead, their laughter blending with the music coming from inside. The porch is littered in red solo cups lined along the banister and crowded with a group of people chatting and smoking under the soft glow of string lights.

Gauge leads me inside, where the bass thumps loudly, enveloping us in a haze of music. The packed living room is filled with dancing bodies and the smell of alcohol hangs heavy in the air, along with a cloud of smoke. I feel out of place, my discomfort growing as I realize just how different this scene is from my usual weekend nights spent watching movies or reading when I’m not going out with Matt.

I stick close to Gauge, who seems to navigate the party with ease, exchanging high fives with other guys from the football team. As we near the kitchen, he grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. I don’t stop him or pull away. My gaze is locked with Kyson’s as he licks salt off Britney’s neck.

He gives me a challenging look and tosses back a shot before sucking the lime wedged between her lips.

My heart races as I tear my eyes away from the sight of him getting drunk with his ex, focusing instead on Gauge’s hand swallowing mine. The music pounds in my ears, drowning out my thoughts as I let myself be led through the throng of partygoers. People are groping each other openly while some others are sneaking off and disappearing to dark corners or rooms with closed doors.

I hope Gauge doesn’t get the wrong idea because I came here with him.

I’m not interested in hooking up with him.

I find myself backed up against the washer and dryer in the corner of the room, next to a door that leads to a deck out back where a game of quarters is underway. Remy flips a coin and cheers erupt as he hits the intended target.

Gauge leans in close to my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “You okay?” he asks, concern evident in his voice over the loud atmosphere. His cologne wafts under my nose, making my stomach sour with the spicey scent.

It’s way too hot in here with so many people packed in closely.

I nod, unable to form words amidst the chaos surrounding us. The kitchen is a whirlwind of activity, with people mingling, drinks flowing, and laughter echoing off the walls. I catch glimpses of Lauren across the room where she’s deep in conversation with that guy she hooked up with at the fight.

Britney makes a point to rub all over Kyson and grind against him to the beat of the music thumping through the speakers. Her movements are indecent. All she needs is a G-string and a pole. I don’t know why I’m torturing myself by watching the show they are putting on for anyone who glances in their direction. She’s trying way too hard to upset me and to keep his attention. It’s kind of pathetic. She reeks of desperation.

“It’s too loud in here.” Gauge takes my hand again, directing me towards a quieter area of the house to a dimly lit seating area that offers a reprieve from the pulsing energy of the party. This place is much larger than the front design alluded to. I sink into one of the chairs, taking a moment to collect my thoughts as he squeezes in next to me, too close, gazing intently at my lips as though he wants to kiss me. Part of me wants to let him to piss Kyson off, but he probably wouldn’t care.

“This isn’t your scene, is it?”

“Not at all.”

He hovers closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

“I’m glad you came. I’ve been dying to get to know you.”

“You’re nothing like I expected.”

“Hope that’s a good thing.”

“Definitely.”

An awkward silence stretches between us, and he starts playing with my hair and strumming his fingers up and down my thigh. “Want a drink?” Gauge questions, second guessing, making a move, and I’m thankful. I hope he doesn’t notice the relief washing over my face.

“I’ll take a Coke or something.”

“Okay. Cool. I’m sure there’s something other than beer or liquor. Stay right here. Don’t go anywhere.”

“All right. I won’t.” Gauge isn’t my type, but he’s a lot sweeter than Kyson let on, or than my first impression of him. I watch him walk away and smile to myself that tonight isn’t so bad until I check my phone and see that I have several more missed calls and chats from Matt. I never responded to him earlier and now it seems he’s angry about more than that. I check my media and see that I’ve been tagged in a photo with Gauge at the fights. Someone happened to snap a picture of him looming toward me while I was leaning against the building, and it appears as if we’re about to kiss. The caption under it reads: New couple alert.

Is this another one of Kyson’s games?

I quickly feel a surge of panic as I realize the implications of the photo. People are quick to jump to conclusions, and the last thing I need is for stupid gossip to spread like wildfire, especially involving someone as popular as Gauge. My mind races with possibilities as I try to come up with a way to diffuse the situation before it spirals out of control.

I don’t want Matt having the wrong idea and I don’t need rumors started that I’m dating Gauge.

Right as I’m about to make a move to find Gauge to ask who posted the photo, a commotion breaks out in the living room. The music stops. Voices are raised, and I catch snippets of conversation that capture my attention. Kyson’s name is mentioned, followed by Britney’s shrill laughter ringing out.

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