I smiled softly at Cathy as she dried my tears.
"I think I should focus on studying and graduation right now," I said walking to my bed.
"Katie Kat, seriously, you're nineteen, hot,” Cathy said, strutting to our closet, “and as far as I'm concerned, unattached."
"We're still technically together," I said, falling back on my bed, “I think.”
"Then dump his ass."
"Cathy - " I groan.
"Come on Katie, there's a mixer tonight,” Cathy said, searching the closet. “Everyone is going to be there."
All I could do was stare at her with deep skepticism. Although I was only a freshman, I knew I was more than eligible to attend. But that didn’t exactly mean that I should.
“Trust me, I don’t think I’ll be much fun tonight,” I muttered. “I’ve never even been to a party before.”
Well, if that wasn’t enough to set Cathy off... She practically screamed with elated excitement and dove straight into my wardrobe in search of something suitable for me to wear.
***
I wished that I could shake off the unnerving feeling in my gut.
As we weaved through the clusters of students, I did my best to keep my head down, not wanting to attract any attention to myself.
“Come on,” Cathy encouraged. “We’re going to have fun tonight, you’ll see.”
I wished I could have believed her. The two of us stopped by one of the refreshment tables and picked up two red solo cups.
Pure vodka burned the back of my throat. I stifled back a coughing fit as Cathy waved her hand in the air, pointing to a small group of her friends.
“Look, there are the guys.”
As nice as they seemed, my mind was still solely on Draven.
His betrayal of me earlier that day stung so horribly and was still fresh in my mind. It was enough to burn off what little buzz I was trying to maintain, leaving me cold and sober.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a sparing glimpse of him. My heart dropped in my chest, and a rush of anguish came back with a vengeance.
I was determined to fully end things between us. I needed him to know that I wanted no part of him going forward.
I knew I was going to need all the courage I could find. When I turned back toward Cathy, she was well wrapped around one of the guys she had introduced me to before.
I let the two have their intimate moment and snuck back to the refreshment table. This time, I snagged a glass of wine and took a few tentative sips. Soon, one glass became two...And then three...And then, almost four.
My gaze grew incredibly hazy, and my sense of balance wasn’t much better.
I took barely two steps forward and suddenly felt my entire body shift and become weightless.
Oh, God...
I fully braced for the rough impact of the floor, but it never happened. Instead, something caught me. I glanced down to find a strong arm firmly wrapped around my middle. Gently, I was turned over and met with a strikingly handsome face.
My heart swooped in my chest.
At first, I thought it was Draven. Hell, it wouldn’t have been the first time that he’d saved me. His features bore a striking resemblance to the guy who tore my heart in half.
My words were slurred as I spoke. “Draven...We...We’re breaking up...Falling in love with you was the worst mistake of my life.”
The man merely raised his brow as the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. “Draven,” he said, teasingly. “Since when were the two of you ever in love?”
My eyes widened as the guy pulled me back onto my feet. Realization slowly crept through my drunken haze. This wasn’t Draven but a complete stranger.
“Oh, God. I’m sorry. I thought you were...Someone else,” I said sheepishly. I pressed a hand to my aching head and grimaced. “I need to leave.”
Just as I took a single step, I felt my knees buckle and the room began to spin again. Once again, the man wrapped a supportive arm around me, catching me from hitting the floor. A deep chuckle sent goosebumps down my spine.
He reached out to brush my hair from my face. “You’re like a newborn doe. Not too steady on your feet, huh?” His smile was unsettlingly beautiful.
I let out a giggle, feeling a rush of warmth spread across my cheeks. “I guess I’m just lucky that you were here to catch me.”
His smile deepened, and my heart skipped a beat. For a brief second, I could have sworn that his eyes were glowing. A deep shade of gold—like two ancient medallions shimmering in the sun.
I pressed my hand to his chest, but lacked the strength to push him away. Before I could so much as get another word out, I felt my vision begin to spiral. Everything went dark.
Buzz. Buzz.
Buzz. Buzz.
I jolted awake. My vision was a bit spotty as my eyes slowly opened as I blindly reached for my phone.
Griggily, I unlocked the screen to reveal several missed calls from Draven and a large message from my mom.
The front of my head was swelling with unbearable pressure, while the rest of my body ached. But what truly captured my attention was the warm tingle that settled between my thighs.
Before I could open up the message, I glanced down to find myself completely naked under my quilt. A spark of anxiety went off in the back of my mind. What the hell happened last night?
A strange, muffled sound made me turn my head to find a handsome, yet naked man lying next to me. My heart clenched in my chest as I nearly tumbled out of bed in sheer panic.
I carefully kept the quilt clutched to my chest and clamped my eyes shut. Suddenly, my mind became swamped with various images from the night before.
A strong pair of arms caged me against the door, and I was met with a hot, demanding kiss...My body was buzzing to life with a fiery, undeniable passion...Those dexterous hands roamed to the zipper on my dress and tugged it down...
He knelt over me as my back was pressed into the mattress. The pads of his thumbs played at the stiff peaks of my breasts before gliding down toward my center...
The frantic, intense rhythm of his hips thrusting forward to meet my own, causing my body to reach its ever-growing peak of euphoric bliss.
I clamped my hand over my mouth and mentally chastised myself. Oh, God. How could I be so damn reckless??
The reality of my unwelcomed situation made me realize that today was Saturday. Apart from feeling deeply ashamed and annoyed at myself, I now felt anxiously worried. I had been expected to return home.
I just knew that my mom must have been worried sick. Quickly, I snatched my phone up from my desk and sent her a quick message, letting her know about the party and how I ‘overslept’.
She responded a minute later. As I opened up the new message, I felt the blood drain from my face.
‘Hey, honey! Glad to hear that you’re okay! Don’t worry about last night, but do try and come home early tonight. There are things we need to talk about...I plan on remarrying and I’m eager for you to meet your new Stepfather and Stepbrothers.’
I was at a complete loss for words as I continued to read.
‘His name is William and he had two sons that are about the same age as you. And would you believe it—they happen to attend the same school as you! Looking forward to seeing you!’