Page 16 of Toxic Obsession

Nausea rolled in my stomach as dark thoughts slammed into me fast and hard. Screams filled my mind, and I grabbed the sides of my head, hoping no one would find me until the flashbacks were over.

“Breathe,” I said softly. Forcing myself to look around, I rattled off what I saw as the flashback continued to gut me. “A pool, shed, lawn chairs, an outdoor kitchen, a privacy fence.” I repeated it several more times until my heart rate calmed down and I could understand where I was. How the fuck had seeing the man who was possibly Quinn’s father send me into a full-on panic attack?

The creak of the door opening caught my attention. “There you are. I thought I saw you come outside. Are you sick?” Gabby strolled toward me, concern in her pretty face.

“Yeah.” I gulped, hating my lie, but under no circumstances could I go back inside and see Quinn or that man again.

“Oh, hon. Did you drink too much?” Gabby put her arm around my shoulders and led me to one of the lawn chairs. It was still relatively clear for a northwest fall, but it was still cool outside. At least it wasn’t raining. I shivered and rubbed my arms.

“I think I need to go home. I’ll call an Uber, though. I don’t want to mess up your evening.”

Gabby grinned at me. “No way, I’ll take you. Hell, I even have a barf bag in my car. I’m prepared for this. Everlee wanted to leave early, too, so let me grab her. Stay put.” She hurried back into the mansion, and I leaned my head against the red bricks of the house.

Confusion swept over me as I recalled Quinn’s door slamming open and an outraged man bursting in. I had to find out more about who he was, but more than that, why he’d triggered me so badly.

A few minutes later, Gabby, Leighton, and Everlee appeared back on the patio.

“Girl, it’s good we’re leaving. Quinn’s father came home, so everyone has to clear out. He looked pissed as hell, yelling at everyone to leave,” Gabby said.

“He’s usually cool with the parties, but something definitely tickled his asshole tonight.” Everlee clucked her tongue. “We’re out, bitches. Let’s continue the drinks at the house.”

“What does his dad look like? I saw an older guy but had no idea who he was.” I twisted a lock of hair around my finger, trying to not seem too eager to learn who the man was.

“A lot like Quinn, except older, of course. He’s a little shorter than Quinn, too. As I said, I’m not sure what was going on tonight, but Mr. Astor didn’t look happy,” Leighton explained.

Shit. I’m right. Quinn’s dad walked in while I had his son’s dick in my mouth.Son of a bitch. “I think I saw him.” I attempted a smile, feeling the color drain from my face as the full realization hammered my alcohol-muddled brain.

Everlee finally took a good look at me. “Oh shit, you’re pale. Are you all right?” Everlee came closer and slipped her arm through mine. “You still seem a bit wasted, if you ask me, but I can’t tell for sure. Have either of you been so drunk you thought everyone else was drunk, too?” Her giggle bounced off the cement patio.

“Don’t worry. I’m sober since I’m driving.” Gabby took my other arm and looped hers through it. “I’ll drink when we’re safe and sound at home.”

Safe and sound wasn’t something I’d had in several years. It sounded heavenly. Everlee chatted nonstop as we located Gabby’s blue Audi R8. To my surprise, Everlee crawled in the back seat and laid her head in Leighton’s lap.

“Oh, I don’t feel so good, Gabby.”

Gabby peeked at Leighton and Everlee. “Buckle up, babe. I can’t have you bouncing around like a soccer ball on steroids if I have to stop suddenly.”

Leighton patted her back, then Everlee groaned but sat up and fastened her seat belt.

Fifteen minutes later, Gabby pulled into our driveway. Even though I was feeling a ton better, I didn’t want any more to drink. When I drank too much, I got loose lipped, and I was afraid of what I would tell the girls. I was just beginning to have friends, and even if I refused to get attached, it was nice not to be the outcast for a little while.

Once we were safely inside the house and the door was locked, Everlee flung herself face-down on the couch. “I need water.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. She was even more dramatic when she was drunk.

“Got it.” Gabby disappeared into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with two bottled waters and a rum and Coke she had made for herself. She doled out the drinks, then sat in the recliner.

Everlee sat up, twisted off the cap of her bottle in one motion, then guzzled the water. I gawked at her.

“Won’t that make you sick?”

She wiped off her mouth with the back of her hand. “Nah. Keeps me from having a massive hangover.”

“I taught her that important trick.” Leighton laughed.

Everlee grinned and leaned against the couch, turning her attention to me. “So, Wynter Baldwin.” My heart stopped beating for a moment.

She knows.

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