Page 104 of Edge of Unbroken

Tori just giggles. “I think maybe I should drink some water,” she says, completely oblivious to the fact that she nearly set herself ablaze.

Shane gives Steve and Zack an exasperated look. “Yeah, good call,” he grunts. “Okay, I’m going to go grab some water. Will you two keep an eye on them?” Shane says to Steve and Zack, motioning around to us girls.

“Yep,” Zack says. Summer crawls toward him seductively on all fours, only to lie down and rest her head in his lap.

“I want to go with you. You’re too fucking sexy to go in that house by yourself and be molested by all those girls in there,” Tori says to Shane, motioning her hands at no one in particular.

Shane chuckles and urges Tori back onto the sofa. “And what would you do about it?”

“Punch ’em,” Tori says, jabbing her fist at nothing. It makes her sway precariously in her seat.

“Babe, you wouldn’t be able to… Never mind,” Shane says. “Just stay here with Steve, okay?”

Tori huffs. “Fine. But don’t get any ideas, O’Connor. That cock of yours is mine,” she growls at Shane.

Shane leans down to plant a kiss on Tori’s forehead, causing her to close her eyes. “Yes, it is. Always and forever, babe.” He turns to Steve and Zack again. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” he says, then walks into the house.

I stand up from the couch, feeling unsteady myself.

Steve immediately gets up. “Whoa, where do you think you’re going?”

“The bathroom. I need to pee, Stevie. And no, you can’t come with me,” I say, willing my tongue to relay the words clearly, but I’m pretty sure I’m unsuccessful. God damn it, why do I have to be such a damn lightweight? I’ve had exactly three drinks since we got here a couple hours ago, yet it feels like my eyeballs are bouncing in their sockets.

I slowly make my way into the house, occasionally stumbling and holding my hands out. I’m decidedly off-balance as I make my way through the crowded living room, bumping into people, apologizing profusely each time I do, before I finally arrive in the small bathroom just down the wide hallway.

I take my time taking care of business, then splash some cold water on my face. It feels good, invigorating.

There’s a knock on the bathroom door.

I wipe my flushed cheeks, ensuring with a quick glance in the mirror that my mascara isn’t too smudged. I half expect either Steve or Shane to be checking on me and am surprised when I open the door to Drew, who has a smile on his face.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asks, taking a step toward me.

I tread backwards into the bathroom. “Yeah, I’m good. Just freshening up a bit.”

He studies me, his brow creasing. “Are you sure? You look—”

“Yeah, umm, I think I may have had a little too much to drink, but I’m okay. I probably look completely disheveled, though.” I take another glance in the mirror and run my index finger underneath my right eye to wipe away any unruly mascara.

“No, you look beautiful,” Drew says, his voice emanating from deep in his chest. He takes another step toward me. “You always do, though.”

“Thanks.” I tug at my shirt to get myself together. No more alcohol for me tonight!

“Cat, I… I wanted to talk to you.” Drew takes yet another step toward me, pushing further into the bathroom.

“Okay?” Where the heck is he trying to go? This bathroom isn’t large. I’m kind of running out of space here. “Do you want to talk outside?” I ask, looking over his shoulder.

“I really like you,” he says. “I’ve liked you for a long time. Like, since the day we met.”

“Oh,” I say with wide eyes. I try to think quickly, to formulate a way to let him down easy, but my brain cells are firing slower than usual. “I… I don’t…” I stammer with a shake of my head.

Before I can say or do anything else, Drew’s hands are on my hips, winding their way around to my backside. He urges himself closer to me, my breasts pressing against his chest as he moves his lips to mine and kisses me. His tongue darts out, seeking entrance to my mouth.

I shove my hands against his chest and stumble backward, hitting a gold decorative shelf with enough force that a small glass jar comes crashing down and shatters on the floor. I wipe my mouth to erase any traces of him. “Drew, I’m with Ran,” I say, my words muffled against the palm of my hand.

“But Cat, you don’t know Ran like I do. He’s been known to sleep around. He fucked a lot of girls before you, never giving a shit about a single one of them. He’s probably doing exactly that wherever he is right now. He honestly doesn’t deserve a girl like you,” Drew says, reaching his hand out to me.

Something deep inside me ignites, an angry flame burning in my chest. Who the hell does he think he is?

---