Page 101 of Did They Break You

It must be the horror room, withScreamposters on the wall.

But it isn’t Ghostface on the screen.

It’s a crown being thrown into water.

Ryan Phillippe diving in to get it.

I Know What You Did Last Summer.

When I look back at Cortland, he isn’t watching the movie anymore, the same one he put on that night everything went to hell after he cleaned me up in his bathroom.

His eyes are on mine.

Slowly, he swallows down his beer, the one he’s barely touched, and he doesn’t look away from me.

“Here ya go, Remi, baby.” Sloane’s singsong voice is right in my ear and I glance down and see the shot glass she’s pushing my way.

I’m tipsy, but I’ve been sipping on water between drinks and I still feel in control. With Cortland eyeing me like he wants to snap my neck but unable to make a scene with all these witnesses, I feel like I have the power. I feel giddy.

His fingers tighten around his glass. I see his knuckles whiten and his biceps flex beneath the deep gray sweater he’s wearing.

“Take it! Take it! Take it!” Van starts another chant and thanks to the strange decor of The Veil, no one can see what I’mstaring off at. Since I’m at the end of the table, it probably looks like I’m working up the courage to shoot back the tequila.

Ryann starts clapping and Sloane slurs my name.

Cortland lifts his chin and his eyes narrow.

Then, holding his gaze, I throw the drink back. And when I slam the glass on the table, I reach out and snatch back the curtain, blocking his view of me.

My phone vibratesas I lie in bed with only a slight buzz, Sloane softly snoring in the bed across the room.

I smile as I lift my phone over my head and read the text in the dark.

Cortland

You’re in my head.

My response is fast.

Then get me out.

Cortland

You never leave.

What do you want, Cortland?

Cortland

You’re lucky I didn’t drag you out of that bar, Remi.

Lucky, huh?

Cortland

If I see you drinking without me again, I’ll embarrass you.

You’re embarrassing yourself right now. This stalker shit is kind of pathetic.

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