Page 61 of Consume Me

A soft knock on my bedroom door is followed by the girls coming inside.

Abigail drags me by my feet. “Enough is enough. You pick.”

“I just want to sleep,” I whine, turning to my side.

“No, we can’t have that,” Celine says.

A night out sounds good. Maybe I’ll forget for a bit. Dancing would be nice, too. Ever since he was inside of me, it’s as if he reassembled pieces of me, and I have to acclimate to my own body. That’s what happens when you fall for someone you shouldn’t.

“It’s okay. Go be with your men. I am fine.”

“If pretending to be fine were an Olympic sport, you’d win the gold medal,” Bailey says.

“You won’t let this slide, will you?” I ask, and all three look at me as if I should know better.

“Okay, fine.”

They leave to get ready, and I change into a tight black skirt, a silver, deep V-neck top, and boots that almost reach my thighs. Adding smokey eye makeup, I finish the look with a bit of violet lipstick.

When the girls come inside, they do a double take.

“You look fantastic,” Bailey says.

“That’s going to get attention, but something tells me that’s exactly what you want,” Abi says.

I want Blake to see me and choke on his damn spit.

“Revenge dress looks good on you,” Celine says.

Jutting my chin out, I say, “I’m ready.”

We walk downstairs and find the guys in the living room. As soon as Kaden sees Celine, he pulls her to his side. Whatever he says, she giggles low as he kisses her neck.

Dane backs Abi into a wall, kissing her so ardently that I turn away.

Hunter stares at Bailey, who glares back at him.

I feel Blake’s intent gaze on me. Goose bumps erupt on my skin, and I look anywhere but at him. My knees wobble, and I leave on unsteady legs.

“You should have seen the look on his face,” Abi says.

“I thought he’d go all caveman on you,” Celine says.

“Good.”I am petty. So what? Let him see what he won’t get a second time.At least, that’s what I tell myself as we head to The Cave.

The moment we’re inside, the electric atmosphere wraps around me. Tonight, I am going to party until I forget about him, my unrequited feelings, my unhealthy obsession, and my unwavering desire.

When Tyson sees us, he whistles low. He kisses each of us on our cheeks. “Drinks are on me.”

We approach the bar, and Xander places a hand on his chest. “You girls wanna give me a heart attack?”

“Did Dane let you out like that?” Tyson asks Abi, and she rolls her eyes at him.

Xander lines up shots in front of us, and Tyson comes to my side. “So, is this our first date?” he asks playfully. “Because let me tell you, it will be worth getting pummeled by Blake.” He winks at me, but there’s no flicker of desire there. And as his jaw clenches, I don’t have to look around to see who has his interest.

I lean into him. “You and I understand wanting things we can’t have.”

“Beautiful and smart. You’re a dream woman.”

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