Page 54 of Destroying Everleigh

Jameson reached out, gripping the crook of my elbow to help steady me.

“What are you going to do with that photo?” I asked.

“We’ll talk about it later. When your head is more clear.” There was an edge to his voice, one that promised payment for my wrongdoings. A shudder wracked through my body, but he was right. If he told me anything right now, I wouldn’t be able to focus.

I allowed him to lead me back to the living room where a group of people were beginning to gather. Jameson helped me sit in the armchair adjacent to my ex-boyfriend, before he moved to take the spot beside him.

I glanced around, hoping to see Lucas in the crowd of people and relief sunk its claws in me when I spotted him heading this way, his hands jammed into the pockets of his jeans. There was a sheepish grin on his face as he approached and offered me his hand. As much as I wanted to tell him to fuck off and be mad at him, I needed someone in my corner right now. My hand slipped into his, and he pulled me to my feet before slipping into thechair I’d been occupying. He curled an arm around my lower stomach and tugged me toward him, so I was perched on his lap.

“I’m sorry I’ve been an asshole,” he murmured, his warm breath fanning against my ear.

I turned to look at him, not caring that we were surrounded by the three guys who had once owned a portion of my heart. They meant nothing to me now. Not after the screwed-up things they kept doing and saying. I leaned down, brushing my lips against his, and he opened for me instantly, running a hand over the small of my back. It was gentle and sweet but did nothing. Not like Kash’s demanding kiss, or even Ashton’s. I hated that.

“Forgive me?” he whispered against my lips.

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

I settled back against him, reveling in the warmth of his body. The party was in full-swing now and people had already taken to public fucking off in the distance. A girl with dark hair was bent, her hands on the wall for support while some jock rutted into her. Tearing my gaze from the couple, I looked forward, my eyes locking with Ashton’s for a brief moment.

Guilt threaded through me, reminding me that not long ago, Kash had his tongue down my throat and his hand up my dress. The alcohol flowing through my body helped to ease some of that inner turmoil, though.

“Let’s play a game,” Amber chirped, plopping down into the empty seat beside Jameson. Her gaze found mine, drifting to Lucas before she rolled her eyes, clearly still pissed off at him. “Everleigh, you’ll need a drink for this one.”

“Anymore and I’ll pass out,” I admitted, but stood anyway.

She shot me a grin. “Isn’t that the point?”

I rolled my eyes at her playfully before heading for the kitchen. I fixed both me and Lucas a drink before resuming my spot on his lap and offering him one. His hand gripped my hip instantly, while he cradled the cup I’d given him in his other.

Colt had joined us, too. Sitting in one of the other armchairs. He pulled Allison onto his lap and took a drink of his beer.

“Okay. We’re going to play Never Have I Ever, and if you’ve done it, then you drink.” She waved a hand in the air, like we should already be well accustomed to the rules. “I’ll start. Never have I ever had a threesome.”

I glanced around, taking note of everyone who drank. Unsurprisingly, Kash and Jameson both took a sip, followed by Ashton moments later. Lucas lifted his cup to his lips, and I looked over with my eyebrows raised. He gave me one of his sheepish smiles.

“It was before you, obviously,” he told me.

I wasn’t worried about it. Or even jealous for that matter. But I knew that Ashton’s rendezvous happenedafterme, since we’ve had that conversation before. I settled back against my boyfriend again, twirling my cup in my hands to make the liquid swirl around.

“Your turn,” Amber said to Jameson.

He thought about that for a moment, everyone waiting in anticipation for what he’d say. “Never have I ever taken it up the ass.” A few people giggled, but to me it was completely amateur.

I rolled my eyes, bringing the drink to my lips. The clear liquid slid down, burning my chest as it always did. Ashton was an ass man, and it didn’t take long for us to do anal. He’d been just as gentle as when he took my virginity, making sure to warm me up and stretch me out before sliding in.

Kash was next. “Never have I ever?—”

He was cut off by Lucas. “You’ve done anal?” he asked me quizzically. He didn’t even give me time to process that he’d asked me that in front of a shit ton of people before he was continuing. “We’re doing that next time.”

I snorted in amusement. “Anyway…” I trailed off with another eye roll. “Continue.” I gave Kash a pointed look.

“Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.”

That was one thing I hadn’t done, but it was on my bucket list. A few people drank, while others didn’t. Next, it was Ashton’s turn. “Never have I ever been in love with my best friend’s partner.” My throat felt tight, like the air had been sucked from my lungs. I’d often wondered whether I loved Jameson or not, and the answer was simple as much as I hated to admit it. Jameson’s eyes locked on mine, and he lifted his drink to his lips, swallowing a mouthful. Ash was watching him like a hawk, his jaw coiling tight with anger.

“My turn,” Crystal pressed, repositioning herself on Ashton’s lap. “Never have I ever had my daddy leave me because he didn’t want me.” Her blue eyes met mine. She was well aware of what happened with my family. A lot of people were. But the guys were already gone at that point, and a lot of the people here didn’t know that detail about me since we didn’t go to the same school.

Anger flared inside of me as I took a drink and forced myself to my feet. I was done with this fucking game. Striding forward, I dumped the contents of my vodka all over Crystal’s head, making her screech. The sound was music to my fucking ears. And then I threw the empty cup at her for good measure.

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