Page 69 of Fractured Mind

“Hey, stranger,” he jokes.

I smile back at his playfulness—I saw him only yesterday. “Hey, yourself.” I notice we’re blocking the doorway, but everyone has stepped out of the way, allowing him ample room to walk inside.

“Do you know where Ruby is?” I ask as I glance around once more.

He tilts his head forward. “This way.”

I follow him, but as we walk deeper into the house, people are calling out his name over the music. The guys shout their football chant while fist-pumping the air. They sound as though they’re already drunk. Other people pat his back and high-five him, so instead of walking right behind him, I leave plenty of space and lower my head, trying to stay out of the spotlight.

One girl tugs on his wrist, and when his eyes meet hers, he shakes his head. The girl’s face falls, and when her eyes land on me, she glares.Joy!

I follow Roman, moving briskly past the angry girl and into the living room, which has been cleared of furniture to create a dance floor. I lose sight of Roman but spot Ruby and Jackson. The contrast between them is dramatic. He’s wearing ripped black skinny jeans and an oversized black shirt, with his tattoos peeking out down his arms and up his neck. She’s wearing a bright-red minidress that showcases her long legs. I go over to her, and the moment her eyes land on me, she screeches, “You’re here! Come have a dance with me?”

I peer around at the people dancing. I just got here and I’m still anxious. “Maybe later. You go get ’em, girl.”

She confidently walks onto the dance floor, a few people away from Levi and the two girls who are flirting with him. Ruby dances to the beat, her arms sensually moving down her body, her black hair swaying down her back as she swings her hips. Guys are wolf-whistling at her. One guy steps toward Ruby. They dirty dance as Ruby grinds into his crotch to the music.

From across the room, Ashton captures my gaze. Although his attention appears focused on Roman and Jackson, his eyes remain fixed on me, and my body heats as his eyes caress my skin. They walk over. Ashton encircles my waist and pulls me into him, giving me a lazy smile. He’s had a few drinks because his eyes are glassy, the way Mom’s used to be.But he isn’t Mom, I reiterate mentally, trying to stop my mind from thinking toxic thoughts. I trust he won’t treat me the way she did. Zoning out of all conversations around me, my attention is on Ashton, and as he talks, I peek inside his glass. It contains a caramel-colored drink—whiskey, maybe?

My stomach drops as I scan our group and then the rest of the room. It seems I’m the only one not drinking, and it’s areminder of why I never go to parties. Ashton brushes my hair from my shoulder, grazing my skin with his fingers, before he bends down and whispers in my ear, “You look like a goddamn tease.” The desire in his voice is enough to have me biting back a whimper.

Ruby and Levi leave the dance floor, and when Ruby reaches me, she interlocks her arm with mine.

Roman asks, “Are you two coming to the bonfire outside?”

Ruby shakes her head. “No, it’s my turn with Mia. Ashton, you don’t get to hog her all night.” There’s determination in her eyes, which makes me laugh. A boyfriend and a friend fighting over spending time with me makes my heart swell.

“But first,” Ruby says, not allowing anyone to talk, “I need a photo.” There’s an exaggerated groan from all the guys, but Ruby ignores them. We all crowd together as she takes many photos of us.

“That’s enough,” Jackson barks.

Ruby goes through her phone and then mock glares at Jackson and Ashton. “You two could at least smile.”

Jackson rolls his eyes. Ashton gives me a chaste kiss on the lips. “Behave.” He gives Ruby a stern look.

She crosses her heart. “Always.” But by her tone, she might as well have said never.

He grumbles before he releases my waist, but the light touch of his fingertips grazing my behind has me biting my lip. He smiles, and his heated eyes suggest we’ll finish this later.

Ruby grabs my hand. “Let’s go sit down somewhere comfortable.” We go from one room to the next. I’m coughing from walking past people who are smoking. Ruby drags me to the first row of leather seats facing what I would call a small cinema screen. This place is insane.

As I skim the crowd, I see a group of girls I don’t know giving me dirty looks before going back to talking among themselves.“I hoped I wouldn’t have to deal with the staring tonight,” I say, and sigh.

Ruby looks around, then notices the girls who are staring at us. “You are the talk of the town.”

She smiles in amusement while I let out a long groan. “Why though? I’ve been in Crown Village for a while now.”

She snorts, cocking a brow. “You’re in a relationship with Ashton. Girls our age haven’t been able to sleep with him, let alone be in a relationship with him.” She looks at them again. “My guess is they know Theo, and he liked you too. Don’t worry, they’re just jealous.”

That doesn’t make me feel any better. “Do you know where everyone is going after school finishes?” It’s been playing on my mind for a while now, and Ashton hasn’t confirmed anything yet.

“There’s a local university, so we’ll probably end up going there because it works for everyone. If Levi needs help with his studies, his brother lives close by. Jackson can do his apprenticeship here with Jaye, who owns the local tattoo parlor. Your, Ashton’s, and Roman’s families are here too, and you and Ashton can set up your gym because we don’t have one. There are private gyms, but none for the entire community. I think it will do great.”

She’s put a lot of thought into this, and I appreciate being included. “Levi mentioned we’ll all be living together. Are they renting a place or...?” I dread all the awkward moments I’ll encounter when random girls end up doing the walk of shame.

“There’s been suggestions for us to live here, at mine and Jackson’s.”

My eyes bulge. “In your home? Why would you want us here?”

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