Page 82 of Under Pressure

“Are you going with friends?” Despite our differences, I still worry for her out there, drunk and vulnerable, easy prey for anyone wanting to take advantage.

“Yeah, I’m covered.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “I don’t need another mom concerned about my life choices.”

Yep, that’s Kelsey.

* * *

I wake out of a half-dozing sleep at the sound of my phone. God, I hope it’s not Kelsey asking me to pick her up. Please let her friends be the ones to take care of her for a change.

I wince as I turn on my bedside lamp, fumbling for my cell, the light blinding me. I squint at the display and nearly drop it when I see who it is.

Tyler.

“Hello?” I ask tentatively, unsure if it’s really him. Why would he be calling me in the middle of the night? I glance at my clock and— Oh, it’s only eleven. I’m just that lame on a Friday night.

“Mia.” His voice is soft and warm, the sound of it like a cozy blanket, lulling me.

I sit up further in bed, grabbing an extra pillow to stuff behind me, still trying to wake. “Yes?”

“I miss you.”

I blink rapidly. “What?”

“I miss your hair,” he sighs, as if that explains what exactly is happening right now. “It’s so curly. Like those Medusa snakes.”

Um, what?

“And it smells so good. You smell sweet all the time. Like the desserts you bake. I miss those too.”

“Tyler, what are you—”

“And you always seem so happy to see me. No one but Riley’s ever glad that I’m around. Mom acts like it, but I know I ruined her life.”

My heart breaks a little at the sadness in his voice, but I don’t interrupt. I have no idea why he’s calling and saying these things, but if he’s actually opening up, there’s no way I’m stopping him. It’s all I wanted in the first place.

“I miss the look in your eye when I challenge you. You transform into this other woman… God, I can’t get enough of her. And I think you only show her to me. That’s what makes it even hotter.”

He slurs the last word, and that’s when I finally make the connection. “Are you drunk?”

“I’m fine,” he insists, but yes, there’s definitely a slur. No wonder he’s saying things he’d normally never admit. Did he perhaps go out to ladies’ night too?

“Where are you? Do I need to come get you?” I toss off the covers, searching for my jeans on the floor. For some reason, the thought of going to rescue him doesn’t annoy me as it would with Kelsey. Probably because he never shows any weakness. Never needs anyone. Especially me.

“See, that’s what I love about you. I’m an asshole to you and you’re still so fucking nice.”

I swallow heavily at his mention of love. I can’t take anything he’s saying seriously, though. He’s drunk off his ass.

“That’s why I couldn’t be with you, you know? You wanted us to be equals. But we’ll never be that way. You’re too good. And I’m an evil Slytherin. A bastard. I’m only good at breaking things.”

“None of that is true, Tyler.” I hold the phone between my ear and shoulder, attempting to put on my jeans and make sure he doesn’t hang up. “Do you need me to come get you?” I repeat.

“No, I’m at your apartment.”

What?

I rush to the door and open it, but he’s not there. “Where are you?”

“In my car. Ethan started hounding me earlier at home about you, so I left to escape him. I started driving, but all I could think about was what he said.”

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