Page 204 of Seeds of Malice

He takes another moment, keeping his scowl on Dax, and then leads me to his golf cart.

I get in, and he takes me home.

When I step inside, I move toward my bedroom.

Dad barks, "How much did you drink, Ivy?"

I freeze, my insides quivering.

"Look at me," he orders.

I close my eyes and hold on to the doorway.

"Ivy."

I slowly turn toward him. I start, "I don't know what?—"

"Don't you dare lie to me!" he spouts.

I sigh and attempt to lift my chin, but it feels heavy. "Dad, I'm going to sleep. We'll talk later." I go into my bedroom, then shut and lock the door.

I slide into bed, wanting to forget everything about this day. I close my eyes, but my dreams haunt me. My nightmare spins on a constant replay of me sandwiched between Dax and Bobby, breathing in Avery's scent and Lilly's arousal, and my voice repeating, "I earned my spot and I did it for you, Dax."

32

Ivy

When I wake up, it's dark out. My phone rings. I glance at the screen, expecting it to be Dax, but it's not.

I answer, "Hi, Avery."

She laughs. "It's about time you woke up."

"What do you mean?" I ask, sitting up.

"You've been asleep for over a day."

Panic hits me. "What are you talking about?"

"You must've just been tired, but it's Monday night."

"Monday! I missed school?"

"Don't worry. I talked to your professors. Everything's fine," she declares.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I came over and checked on you. Girl, your dad's upset."

I close my eyes, trying to remember the interaction between Dax and him and me.

Dad knew I was drunk.

I didn't drink that much.

Avery adds, "Don't worry. I told him it's the first time you've had any alcohol, and it was just a mimosa to celebrate. I said that it probably went to your head. And I apologized and took the blame."

"You did?"

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