Page 79 of All Bets Are Off

“Come on, Baby,” a low murmur in my ear. “Tell me what’s gonna work out.”

“Everything,” I say sleepily.

I can tell Elias and Ashton are trading glances above my head that I can’t decipher. That’s okay. They don’t get it now, but they will. One day. They’ll forgive me one day.

“She needs water,” someone hisses close to me. “She’s completely out of it.”

Oh no. Who’s out of it? I hope they help her. They’re such good guys. Kind guys. Nothing like the superficial niceness of other guys. She’ll be okay. Whoever she is.

“Maybe the edible wasn’t such a good idea.”

I laugh. I had an edible too. It was such a good idea though. Why would it be a bad idea? Everything else just floats away.

“Stay with her, I’m going to get her water,” someone else replies.

Water sounds nice. I think I want water. My eyes flicker open. Wow. There are so many pretty lights in here, I didn’t even realize it earlier. I lift my hand up to my face and watch all the different colors bounce over my skin. How delightful.

“Let’s go find Andrews, okay?”

“Hmm,” I hum as I continue to watch the dancing lights as my feet begin to move under me. Wow. It feels like flying.

“Oof,” I huff as a soft hush of sorts is forced out of my lungs when I suddenly fall into a seat. I scrunch my brows and look around. How did I get here?

“Stay right here, Baby. Okay? Don’t move. I’m just gonna go grab your friend.”

Baby. I like the sound of that. I nod but can’t remember what I’m agreeing to. I open my eyes again and find I’m alone. Huh. When did I close my eyes again?

There was something I was supposed to be doing. What was it? Oh yeah. Water. I need to get water.

I carefully push myself up out of the chair. Oh well, it was so comfy. Hmm if I were water, where would I be?

I slip through writhing bodies, looking for any signs of where I could have water. Somehow I find myself outside. It isn’t as hot or as loud out here. I look down at my blue dress and grin. I didn’t realize how hot and sweaty I was until I felt the cool night air against my skin. I walk around and spot a bucket.

Hmm what’s in here?

Oh perfect. It’s full of ice. I bet there’s water in here. I reach in and feel a plastic bottle and pull it out. Jackpot.

Was I supposed to be grabbing one for someone else too? Might as well.

I bend down and grab another and just as I start to come back up, a slither of awareness breaks up the fog in my mind, dread settling over my shoulders. Arms wrap around my stomach and I’m pulled up against a hard body. It doesn’t fill me with warmth but my thoughts are too slow to understand why.

I’m spun around and I giggle as my hands land on a hard chest. I look up and meet ice cold blue eyes, the dread turns into fear but I don’t drop my smile.

“Carson,” I whisper, still smiling. He’s going to kill me. I can’t remember why I’m so sure of this, but I know it like my own name. He’s furious as he stares down at my costume. Fear burns though some of my high and I hate him even more for snatching my good feelings. For once it wasn’t hurting to be me. To breathe.

I push my hands up his chest and wrap them around his neck, swaying against him. Anything to appease him from unleashing that rage against me.

“Why are you dressed like a common whore?” he demands almost soundlessly in my ear.

I push my bottom lip out in a pout. “I thought I looked cute.”

He hums, running his hands down my body and under my skirt. I shudder at his touch. I want to push him away but my instincts force me to hold still. “This should be for my eyes only. Don’t you remember the lesson I just taught you?” His fingers find the edge of my underwear and I freeze, looking around us. There aren’t as many people wandering around back here. It’s not as easy to get lost in the crowd. Anyone could notice. “Do you need a reminder?”

I shake my head rapidly. Too scared to even try and find my voice again.

“Than why the fuck are you matching with them?”

Fear paralyzes me as his fingers slip under my underwear, rubbing against my folds. If I had felt any heat tonight, all of it is gone now. Sapped out by fear and shame.

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