Page 23 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

I clung to Eli like he was my lifeline as we wound our way through the crowd.

I drank each shot that was pushed into my hand, trying to stifle the panic rising in my chest.

"Can we go?" I tried to yell over the music.

"Just try to relax."

His hands were on my hips. People kept bumping into me. My whole body felt like it was on fire.

But I had learned how to dance among the flames a long time ago.

Chapter 11

Saturday

"Can I steal her?!" Kins yelled over the music. It almost looked like there were two of her in front of me.

I giggled. God, I was probably even drunker than her. Eli was a complete genius. I don't think I had ever been so relaxed.

He seemed to reluctantly let go of my hips. I liked how much he liked me. I was getting caught up in the feeling. I stepped toward Kins and immediately grabbed her arm so that I wouldn't fall over.

"You okay?" Eli said with a smile.

"Peachy!" I toasted my red Solo cup against his bicep and he laughed. "I'll be right back."

Kins started pulling me away from him and he disappeared in the crowd of people.

"Slow down," I said.

"Girl, you are so drunk."

"Me? You're the one that's drunk."

She laughed. "Fine, we're both a little drunk." When we reached the side of the makeshift dance floor, she turned to face me and put both her hands on my shoulders. "I just hope I can remember tonight tomorrow because Patrick just told me that he loved me!" She started jumping up and down.

I had a feeling she wanted me to jump too, but I was almost positive I'd fall over if I tried. "And that's a...good thing, right?"

"Of course it's a good thing! I'm obsessed with him. You know that."

Are you though? "Well, I'm happy for you."

She beamed at me. "How was Eli in bed?"

"Would you keep your voice down?" I took another sip of the beer in my hand.

"No one can hear us over the music. How was the sex?!" she yelled even louder.

I laughed. "It was good."

She gave me an exaggerated frown. "Just good? Not great?"

"I mean...yeah, it was great." I looked over my shoulder to see if he was nearby. Why did I just say good? I smiled to myself. Probably because it was better with the mask. I couldn't explain why, it just was. I tried to stifle my laugh. What is wrong with me?

"Do you love him?"

"What? I think it's a little early for that. I barely even know him." We hadn't really gotten a chance to talk today. I still had all my questions for him. I glanced again at the crowd, but I couldn't find him.

"You two will get there eventually, I just know it. Oh my God, we can

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