Page 62 of Girl Violence

She turns to Charlie, who looks like he’s hit the jackpot. Suddenly, she leans in and slams her lips against his. Josette’s eyes widen. Oh no.

Before Josette knows what’s happening, an arm goes around her waist, and she’s being pulled back. She turns sharply, seeing Ian has hold of her, tugging her back from the chaos unfurling in the room.

“Ian?” she questions, but he keeps her against him, his eyes locked across the room. Austin is now off the couch, and Charlie is sprawled out on the floor holding his face. Jenna is yelling at Austin, eyes welling with tears, but Josette can’t hear what they’re saying over the music. Suddenly, Austin grips her arm tightly and Jenna’s eyes widen with shock before he’s dragging her out of the room, expression like stone.

Josette goes to follow, but Ian’s arm tightens around her. She cringes as he pushes his mouth into her ear and says, “That doesn’t concern you. Let them sort out their shit, babe.”

Josette whirls to face him, which is a bad idea as it brings her closer to him. She tries to push his hands off her, but he doesn’t let go. She then realises he’s taken her to the other side of the room, tucked away in the corner.

“Let go, Ian,” she says, hating that he’s touching her.

He smiles, his grip tightening. “Ah, come on. Stop being a little tease, Josette.”

She recoils. “A tease?”

“What’s going on here?” Josette turns, stiffening when she sees Tyler walking over to them. He leans against the wall next to them, eyes bloodshot from drunkenness. “You two look intimate.”

“We’re not,” Josette clenches her teeth. As she struggles to break free, Ian traps her up against the wall. She tries to push him away, but he won’t budge. As she attempts to move to the side, Tyler blocks her. Josette scoffs, but her stomach twists with anxiety. “I haven’t got time for this. Move. I need to go and see if Jenna is okay.”

“Never mind, Jenna,” Ian says, eyes gleaming for something Josette can’t name. She’s conscious of his hands on her hips. She swallows nervously as he pulls back a little, smiling as he takes in her outfit. “Look at you. The hottest girl in the room. You trying to impress someone?”

“Yes, actually,” she replies, tilting her chin defiantly. “But not you.”

Tyler laughs.

“Are you going to let her talk to you like that, man?” he says as Ian chuckles, though there’s a menacing look in his eye that Josette’s never seen him have before. “She thinks she’s too good for you.”

Josette takes out her phone to call Vince, but Tyler rips it out of her hand. She gasps, but Ian steps closer, pushing her into the wall more.

“Ian, stop.” She pushes his chest, anger pouring inside of her. “Give me back my phone—”

He suddenly bends his head and crushes his lips against hers. At first, Josette is shocked. She doesn’t know how to react. But then her insides scream, entire body seizing with uneasiness. She jabs her hands into his chest, but the alcohol weakens her. That’s when she sees Tyler has his back to them and is going through her phone, shielding them away from the rest of the party. Not that anybody is paying attention to them.

“Mmm,” Ian murmurs, pulling his mouth away for a second. “You taste even better than I thought you would.”

“Fuck off!” she growls, bucking her hips, but he only laughs. “Get the fuck off me, Ian.”

“Relax. We’re just having some fun.”

“Please.” Emotion clogs in her throat, and she knows he can hear it. Instead of letting her go, he reaches up and strokes her cheek with his thumb. It makes her skin crawl.

“It’s okay. You want this—I know you do.” His hand slips up her dress, and Josette gasps, blood pounding behind her ears.

“What... what are you doing?”

He reaches her panties, fingers tucking into the side of them. Before she can scream, his mouth is back on hers, his body keeping her pinned against the wall. He tugs them slightly down her legs, enough to shove his hand into them. Josette screams and clenches her thighs together.

“Whoa—Ian,” Tyler says after turning around to see why Josette is screaming. But any relief disappears when she sees the amused smile on Tyler’s face as Ian’s fingers try to force their way inside of her. He taps him on the back. “Come on, man.”

“Fuck off,” he says to him, shoving his hand off. “She wants it. We’re having fun, aren’t we, Josie?”

Josie? Only Vince calls her that.

“No.” She breaks down and starts crying when his fingernails scratch her inner thighs. It stings, and she can’t breathe. “Get off me. Someone...someone—”

Tyler’s smile fades seeing her tears. This time he grabs Ian’s shirt again. “Come on, enough. For fuck’s sake.”

Ian suddenly turns and grabs Tyler around his neck. He pushes him back violently and glares at him with anger. “I told you to fuck off. You had your fun. Now she’s mine.”

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