Page 26 of In the Dust

Damn. Well, I need something to calm my nerves. Brad returns from his call, wrapping his arm around me as I take a swig of the shine. It burns my throat and makes me hack. “Too strong,” I choke.

Brad reaches for the jar.

“It tastes like gasoline,” I warn him, but he throws it back.

And doesn’t even flinch. “I used to drink worse back in college.”

I nod respectfully. Normally he’s a martini drinker. I can’t even imagine Brad throwing one back with the boys on a Friday night. But there’s a lot we don’t know about each other.

The moonshine makes everyone loosen up besides Colton. He’s sitting in a chair, stoking the fire, while the rest of us are cutting up and enjoying its warmth on a big blanket.

“I need to run to the bathroom.”

I shake my head, nudging his shoulder. “The woodline,” I hiccup, feeling the effects of the shine.

He plants a kiss on my cheek before stumbling away.

A look crosses Colton’s face that tells me he’s contemplating coming to sit beside me, but stops himself. I need something to eat, maybe a sandwich or some marshmallows. I look over to Harper to see if she’s hungry, but Jackson’s tongue is down her throat, and it makes me giggle.

It feels like Brad’s been gone for hours, but I’m just drunk. I look down at the blanket, running my fingers along the stitching when I see a light. It’s Brad’s phone.

When my blurry eyes finally adjust, what I see makes me shake with rage.

A text from his assistant, Valencia.

‘Brad …’

She’s still typing, and next a picture comes through. Her, wearing a lacey black piece of lingerie. It’s a set Brad bought me, but I have mine in my suitcase …

The worst part is, she’s in our bed.

Well, what would be our bed when I move in.

I scroll up through his messages, my stomach turning as I stumble upon hundreds of flirty messages.

My eyes roam, landing on Colton. He takes in my expression knowing something is terribly wrong as he stands and makes his way to me.

I have to think fast.

Do I even have the right to be mad with how much I’ve been flirting with Colton?

Honestly, hell yeah I have the right. I haven't done anything with Colton, and I damn sure wasn't having an affair behind Brad’s back for what looks like months.

The rage turns into jealousy, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Then, tears fall down my cheeks in waves.

I’m too drunk, way too drunk to be dealing with this right now.

“What happened?” Colton asks, his eyes roaming around my face.

Brad stumbles back, completely clueless. “What’s wrong, babe?” he slurs.

Colton responds faster than I do. His chest smacks into Brad’s, and he nearly falls over. “What did you do?” Colton sneers at him.

Brad pushes his shoulders, “What the fuck is your problem, man?”

“You.” Colton steadies himself. “You’re my problem.”

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