Page 10 of Duress
“I need air! Go get the drinks! I’ll be out there!” I shout over the music, as I point to the inviting front porch. There is at least fifty percent fewer people out there, and I need space. Ana looks unsure, not willing to separate just yet, but I flash her a thumbs up, encouraging her to forge on. I really don’t want my introverted ways to ruin tonight for her. She’s been there for me so many times when dealingwith my heartbreak after my high school sweetheart of four years, Cole, dumped me.
It happened at the beginning of our freshman year at BFU, before I had built a support system of new college friends. All I had was a roommate who loved the color pink and partying, but when she caught me sobbing under my comforter the night of the breakup, she offered up her stash of candy and put onLegally Blonde. We went from comically diametrically opposing roommates—nerdy, introverted artist versus extroverted, socialite business major—to best friends bonded over pints of Ben & Jerry’s, shitty ’90s rom-com movie nights, and a mutual dislike of our philosophy professor.
Ana returns my thumbs up and continues on her mission, and I make a break for the fresh air and open space calling to me through the doorway. Outside, I blow out a calming breath as I let the cool night air caress my skin. It’s mid-October. The days are still warm enough not to require a jacket, but once the sun sets, the temperature drops to just this side of chilly. I’ll wind up regretting my choice not to wear a jacket soon, but right now the fresh, crisp fall evening air feels like heaven.
There are drunk couples scattered around the porch, making out in the shadows, and a small gathering of people in the yard next to a fire pit. Not wanting to disrupt anyone’s make out session, I move to head down to the fire, but a large male form appears in front of me, blocking my path.
“Where you going, gorgeous? You here by yourself?” Alarm bells immediately begin ringing in my mind as I takein his appearance. He’s huge. Probably a linebacker for the BFU Wolverines. He towers over me by a good six inches, and his frame blocks out the light from the fire. His blond hair stands in sharp spikes, and his dull brown eyes have an unfocused look to them. I take a step back; he steps forward, forcing me to back up until I come to a stop against the wall, putting himself between me and my path to escape.
“You’re pretty. Whatsh yer name?” He leans in, his large chest consuming my entire field of vision. He reeks of beer, way too much body spray, and a vague hint of stale sweat. Even in the dark, I can make out a large wet spot on his pink polo shirt. Great, he’s fucking wasted.
“Please get out of my way,” I say through gritted teeth, trying not to look as intimidated as I feel right now.
“Naw, you haven’t told me your name yet. I wanna know yer name, pretty girl.” He hiccups, letting a fresh wave of beer breath wash over me.
“Fuck. Off,” I grit out, as I shove him hard in the shoulder. I manage to catch him by surprise and knock him off balance enough to slip by him. Almost. His large, meaty hand grabs me by the upper arm, dragging me back and slamming me hard against the wall. My head snaps back, hitting the brick, causing stars to burst into my vision.
“That wasn’t nice, pretty girl. I was just trying to talk. No need to be a bitch.” His grip tightens to the point of pain, causing me to let out a whimper. When my vision clears and he comes back into focus, his face his right in front of mine, a dangerous gleam to his eyes.
Shit. Fuck. Shit. Fuck. I need to get away from him.
“I said fuck off!” I yell this time, hoping there’s someone not too busy trying to get laid to hear me.
He doesn’t like that. A look crosses his face that tells me he’s seconds away from really hurting me. Suddenly another hand is on his bicep, pushing him away from me.
“Hey, Brody, dude, back off. She’s here with me. I’m gonna need you to step away from my date.”
Brody, the gorilla sized douchebag in front of me, flares his nose as he directs his attention to my rescuer. His eyes track the newcomer slowly, his drunkenness becoming more apparent. The new guy moves so he is between me and Brody. His back is broad and muscular, well-defined under the tight black henley he is wearing, but not nearly as large as Brody. He has dark hair and smells expensive. That’s all I can tell from this angle.
“Shezyours?”
“Yeah, man, she is. Now fuck off.” My “date” keeps his hand on Brody’s bicep and marches forward, backing Brody up enough that I can finally get away from the wall. I dash around him and head down the stairs toward the crowd by the fire, desperate to get back into the safety of light and fellow students. Plopping down on an upturned log, I bend over, tucking my head between my knees, trying to fight away the panic threatening to overwhelm my nervous system.
“Hey, hey, you’re okay. He’s gone.” A warm hand rests on my shoulder as a soft, deep voice murmurs in my ear. I don’t move right away, my mind still fixated on how close I just was to being assaulted. My muscles are locked tight in fear. The voice keeps repeating a soft, soothing mantra of “You’re okay,” while his thumb makes gentle circles on my skin.
Gradually my breathing evens out, and I am able to sit upright and get a good look at my hero. He’s hot. I don’t know why that’s the first thing my brain decides to notice. Maybe because it’s still rebooting and not fully back online. His eyes are a warm brown, framed by thick, dark lashes, and sharp, well-groomed eyebrows. He looks like he might be a few years older than me. Grad student, maybe? His dark hair, olive tan skin, and gorgeous brown eyes remind me so much of Ardeth Bay from the Mummythat I temporarily forget why I’m upset.
“Hey, there she is. Welcome back.” He flashes a smile, revealing unnaturally white teeth.
“Hi—hi. Thank you for that. He caught me by surprise.” I don’t know why I say that. Why am I making excuses for being manhandled by an ape?
“No thanks needed. Brody is notorious for not being able to keep his hands to himself. Not the first time I’ve had to keep him from doing something stupid while shitfaced.” The guy shakes his head in disappointment. “Seriously though, are you okay? Do you want to leave? I can help you get home.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say yes. I really do want to go home, but I don’t feel right abandoning Ana. Especially not if Brody is still at the party. “I can’t; my friend is here. I don’t want to leave her alone.” My new friend takes in my words, his face taking on a calculating look.
“Okay, how about I go find her for you and bring her out here. Then you can go home together.” I nod. I don’twant to ruin Ana’s night, but there is no way I can stay here any longer.
“Who’re you here with?”
“Ana Price. Black hair, blue eyes, she’s wearing a highlighter pink halter top. Looks like Wednesday Adams if she were a Barbie.” His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles at my description of my best friend.
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen her. Stay here…” He trails off, like he’s waiting for me to fill in the blank. It takes a second for me to realize he wants to know my name.
“Everly. Everly Strauss.”
His smile gets wider when he hears my name.
“Stay here, Everly Strauss.” He stands up to leave, and I grab his hand, not quite ready to let him go.
