Page 25 of Did They Break You

Van turns his dark blue gaze to me, his mouth wide open. “Damn, Remi,” he says with a smile, running a hand over his shaved head. “Do it again.” He takes the cup from my fingers, placing it on the picnic table at our side and reaching for the bottle of vodka.

Sloane claps her hands, then throws her arms around me and I stagger backward, inhaling her strawberry scent. “I’m so proud of you,” she says with a laugh, and I can smell the alcohol on her own breath.

I feel my drink burn down my throat, to my empty stomach. My appetite was bad before, but after seeing them, it’s worse. Me and Sloane are nearly the same height, with similar builds. We used to be able to share clothes.

Now, though, I only wear these hoodies, and I’m a few sizes smaller than her.

She releases me, then slides up the strap of her white cami that slipped down her arm. It’s a little chilly out, but she doesn’t seem to mind. I see her glance over her shoulder again and I smile as Van pours me another drink.

“Slo,” I say, and she turns back to me.

I grab her shoulders, already feeling the alcohol in my veins. “Go find him.”

Sloane smiles, pulling a strand of hair from her glossed lips. “No way, I’m not leaving you.”

Van pushes the second drink into my hand, and I take it, releasing Sloane. The woods are at my back and I have this strange urge to look over my shoulder, but I resist.

They’re not here.

I tip the cup back, swallowing down half of it before I lower it, flexing my fingers around the plastic and giving a silly bow.

“Seriously,” I dart my eyes between both of my friends, “go find who you need to?—”

“Nuh uh, Rems,” Van says, folding his arms over his chest. I see the tattoos on his arms flex as his muscles do. “We’re not leaving you.”

I roll my eyes, tip the rest of the drink back, and when I toss it into the trash behind me without looking, I point at Van, then Sloane. “It’s not leaving me,” I tell them, dropping my hand. I feel my buzz coming on already, and my lips pull into a smile. “I’m telling you to go. Bring them over here to me,” I suggest, glancing at the crowd of people at their backs.

I don’t want to walk through that but I’d love to spend time with the people they’re dating.

Both Van and Sloane eye me skeptically, but I flop down on the bench seat and shove my hands into the pocket of my hoodie, circling my fingers around my phone. I nod my head. “Go on. I don’t need a babysitter. I’m anadult.”That word comes out a little slowly and I start laughing despite myself.

Sloane giggles, running her fingers through her hair. “Oh my god, Rems, are you already drunk?” she asks, excitement splashed over her words.

“Yep,” Van says, shaking his head, “not leaving you.”

I stick out my tongue and see Van’s eyes narrow in on my piercing.

“Put that thing back in your mouth before I teach you how to use it.”

My mouth drops open and my face flames as Sloane hits Van on the arm and he smirks at both of us. “Van, you’re a nightmare.”

My heart thrums a little faster in my chest and I feellight.

“Come on,” Sloane says, offering me her hand, “let’s go find Asa.”

Van pulls his phone out of his back pocket and glances down at the screen, lit up with a message. I see the spark in his eyes as he reads it.

“Van. Go get her,” I admonish him, hiccupping and clapping a hand over my mouth as I do.

He starts typing, glancing up at me with his fingers still flying over the screen, a smile on his face. “Are you sure you’re good Rems?”

“I’ve got her,” Sloane says easily, her hand still extended out to me. “Go get laid.”

Van laughs, but he starts walking backward, still texting. Probably to Ryann. “All right, all right, if you ladies insist.” He pockets his phone and holds my gaze. “Text me before you even think about leaving.”

I narrow my eyes at him and finally swat away Sloane’s hand. “Yes, Daddy,” I tell Van, then look to Sloane as he laughs, walking off. “Go find Asa. I know you want to.”

Sloane circles her fingers over my wrist and tugs, but I plant my Chucks on the ground, not letting her haul me to my feet. “Just come with me.” She looks over her shoulder at the thick crowd of people, the music growing louder, a vape cloud hanging over the clearing. Sloane’s green eyes find mine. “I don’t want to leave you.”

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