Page 22 of My Rules

“Hell . . .”

“How did ...” I frown. “I don’t even remember getting home.”

“Me neither. Jules said she found me asleep in our front garden when she got back from work.”

“What time was that?” I frown as I try to retrace our steps.

“I don’t know, midnight.”

“What were we drinking?”

“Taryn’s punch.”

“Hell.” I drag my hand through my hair. “How’s Deluca?”

“Not answering his phone.”

“Go check on him. He’s probably dead.”

“Based on the way I feel, it wouldn’t surprise me.”

My stomach rolls, and I dry retch over the sink. “This is a fucking code-red hangover.” I heave again. “What the hell was in that punch?”

“Who knows.”

Holding my stomach, I lean my behind against the kitchen counter and feel something dig into me from the back pocket of my jeans. I reach my hand in and pull something out. It’s a pale-blue flash drive.

I stare at it. “What the hell is this?”

“What are you talking about?” Henley replies.

“There’s a flash drive in the pocket of my jeans.”

“What’s on it?”

“I don’t know.” I walk to the hall and glance in the mirror, and my eyes widen in horror when I see my reflection.

There’s a giant love bite on my neck.

What the fuck?

I turn my head to the side as I stare at the dark-purple bruise. My mind begins to race. Who did this?

“What’s on the flash drive?” Henley repeats.

“Who cares? I’ve got a bigger problem than a stupid fucking flash drive.” I drag my hand down my face in disgust. “Who the hell did I hook up with last night?”

“What?”

“I have a giant-ass hickey on my neck.”

“From who?”

“That’s what I would like to fucking know,” I snap.

“Well, nobody else was there, and you didn’t leave to go anywhere ... so that can only mean one thing.”

“Which is?”

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