Page 51 of Brightness

“Just don’t get too complacent. Otherwise, you’ll end up like Void. How are your ribs, VP?” Nycto jabs, raising his brow.

Eva elbows Nycto in the side, so he turns to walk back down the ramp.

Eva lets out an exasperated huff. “Sorry. He’s worried you’ll hurt yourself. He’s only snapping out of concern. That’s all.”

I exhale. “I get it. But Eva, I felt good. I know I can handle this.”

“Yeah, you can,” Void insists. “Nycto’s angry at me, not you.”

“Okay. I’m going to park it, then we’ll get back to the party,” I state.

“Good fucking idea. I need a drink,” Void adds.

I wince as I watch Eva run off after Nycto.

“It’ll be okay,” I say to Void. “Everything will work out. You’ll see.”

“You always have such enthusiasm about everything, but not everything works out.”

While parking the bike, I contemplate just how right Void might be.

***

This party sucks!

Everyone is wasted, while I sit back, watching them all make fools of themselves and wishing I were downstairs in my own little bubble. Instead, I’m trying to keep an eye on Void because it seems like whatever happened between him and Nycto outside has gotten to him. Now, he’s at the bar drinking. I don’t want him to hurt himself. He’s still recovering from the crash and taking painkillers, and mixing them with alcohol can’t be good for him.

I just wish I knew how to help Void when he gets lost in his own head like this. I have gone from such a high, to now sitting on my own on the sofa behind the pool table, like a loser.

I’m glad everyone else is having a great time, I think sarcastically.

As I sip on my second Cuba Libre for the night, Dash strides over with a wobble in his step. Oh shit! He flashes his pearly whites at me and flops on the sofa beside me, his arm instantly wrapping around my shoulders. “Hey, good lookin’. Heard you went for a solo ride tonight.”

“Are you drunk?” I tease, trying to keep things light.

Dash pouts, and his eyes shift to the ceiling. “Hmm… maybe a smidge.” His free hand comes up, indicating a small gap between his thumb and pointer finger.

My hand taps his knee as I chuckle. “You need to remember how you’re gonna feel in the morning, when you’re up bright and early doing all your prospect duties.”

A blank expression crosses his face. “Shiiit! You’re right. So, so right. How can you be so fucking perfect all the time?”

I furrow my brows. “Is that meant to be a compliment or an insult?”

His eyes widen so much I’m scared his eyeballs might pop right out of his head. “No. Shit no. It’s a compliment, Ivy. You amaze me… all the time, like, fucking constantly.”

“I’m nothing special, Dash. Just a girl who likes to hide away in the Cell.”

Dash’s irises darken as he focuses on me. “You’re a woman, Ivy. A woman who has me completely torn up inside.” His eyes glisten as his hand behind me moves into the back of my hair.

I gasp in panic as he leans in, his lips puckered.

My hands move to shove him off me, but I don’t make it in time.

Chapter Thirteen

VOID

Dash wobbles on his feet as I yank him up by his cut before Ivy can push him off her.

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