Page 81 of Unsteady

I hit her—which unfortunately isn’t a first for me.

The very few people in the hallway around us are starting to chant or yell. I only get two good hits—one to her face, the other to her arm—when she finally blocks me, screaming at me. But I can’t hear her beyond the red haze.

She touched Rhys. She took advantage of him.

Then, I’m pulled away.

Bennett easily walks me backwards, even as I squirm in his arms. He’s huge, and I’m sure it looks like a Newfoundland taking a Chihuahua by the scruff. My ears are still ringing as I try to come down from the burst of adrenaline—so I can’t hear as he barks something at her over my shoulders.

Rhys is sitting in front of the bathroom, looking up at me in Bennett’s arms with watery brown eyes.

I hate how vulnerable he looks, but it brings me back.

Focus on Rhys.

Easy.

I stop fighting against Bennett and he drops me after I nod again. He switches me for Rhys, tucking an arm around his waist as Rhys leans heavily on him.

“I didn’t want her here, Sadie,” Rhys coos, his voice slurring even as his eyes shine. He reaches for me but I sidestep him. “I promise.”

“It’s fine, Rhys. I know.” I sigh. “Youdidn’t do anything wrong.”

“I think I'm in love with her.” I hear Rhys tell Bennett, but his voice doesn’t lower even a notch. “And she won’t let mein.”

My heart clenches and I can’t help glancing over my shoulder, maneuvering quickly down the stairs.

Bennett winces, helping Rhys along as we walk out the back door. “Calm down, bud.”

“Sade doesn’t think I’m a golden boy, Ben.” Rhys smiles, but it’s all wrong. “I don’t have to pretend now that she’s here. SheknowsI’m broken.” He lets out a huffed laugh.

“Rhys… you’re not broken.” Bennett sounds as distraught as I feel, despite the hard wall of steel I have raised, my last ditch effort to protect myself.

“I am, Ben. And she’s the only one who sees it.”

Bennett gives me an unsettled look, but continues on.

“Let’s get you out of here, man,” he says, softer in his tone.

Bennett leads, staying close to the side of the house and avoiding the other half of the party enjoying the cool autumn air.

As we make it to the front lawn, I step forward to navigate towards my car.

“Where are you going?” a voice shouts—Paloma, I realize—as I turn towards her.

She’s standing just slightly in front of the front steps, having leapt up from the lap of a very large, very terrifying-looking man I’ve never seen before. Her eyes keep flickering between the three of us, like she isn’t sure who she addressed with her question.

Maybe it’s the already high adrenaline echoing in my veins, or the vulnerable, heart wrenching words spilling from Rhys’ drunken lips, but I can’t seem to stop myself from heading towards her.

I must look slightly unhinged, because a little bit of fear widens her eyes as she steps back.

“If you want him, Paloma,” I snap. “Take better fucking care of him. Or leave him alone.”

She flushes, crossing her arms. “I didn’t say that—”

“Whatever. Be with him or don’t, I don’t fucking care,” I lie, my teeth aching as I push out the words. “Just—” I’m sputtering and then a laugh etches out of me before I can stop it. “You know what? Nevermind. You can’t have him, okay? I don’t get him and neither do you. Leave him the fuck alone and we don’t have a problem.”

She nods, but she isn’t looking at me. No, she’s looking past me towards Rhys. Bennett scoffs and calls for me to leave.

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