“Drink.”
A bottle is once again lifted to my lips, and I take a long swig without even opening my eyes. There could be a third guy involved by now for all I know. I don’t sputter when my mouth fills faster than I can swallow. I just let the liquid run down my cheeks and neck.
“Fuck yeah,” someone grunts.
Rough fingers tug on my thighs, and I fight him a little. Not because I’m saying no but angering red solo cup a little will ensure marks are left on my skin. Waking up with injuries increases the thrill the next time I want to go out. I live for it.
“Keep ‘em open,” red solo cup warns in my ear with another harsh tug to my leg. “You’re about to get fucked in front of all these people.”
His menacing chuckle pales in comparison to others I’ve encountered. The threat of assault in front of an audience isn’t new to me, and his puppy threat is nothing compared to the rabid bulldogs I’ve been introduced to.
“Take another drink.” A cup is tilted to my lips, and the beer does little to hide that metallic taste I’m all too familiar with. I drain the drink before I can second guess myself, and my heart somehow manages to beat even faster. My eyes open and meet red solo cups’. “Hey, baby. Ready to have some fun?”
“Shouldn’t she be awake for that?” I hear from across the room before the laced beer forces my eyelids to drop.Chapter 6TJ
“Where the fuck are you?” Briar’s agitated voice fills my ear as I stand across the street from yet another fucking house party.
Kaci is inside according to the tracker I put on her phone. Grateful she’s actually carrying it with her tonight, I breathe a sigh of relief, forcing me to realize I’m still on the phone when my breath ricochets in my ear.
“TJ?”
“I’m around,” I mutter. “You aren’t my fucking father. Quit checking up on me.”
I hit the end button and shove my phone back into my pocket before he can utter another word.
“It’s more fun inside,” a twinkly voice says beside me. “Join me?”
Cold hands tug on my bare forearm until I pull my hand free from my jeans pocket. A pretty girl with blonde hair similar to Kaci’s but having the wrong color eyes smiles up at me. In a past life, or a mere couple of weeks ago if math is your thing, I wouldn’t have joined this girl inside with the other partiers. A couple of weeks ago, I would’ve bypassed the front door altogether and urged her into the shadows with me. Fucking her against the side of the house, no matter who was around, would’ve been my first goal, but I’m not here for this chick.
“Why are you out here alone?” The question is second nature, especially considering why I’m here in the first place. These damn college chicks are supposed to be educated, but they don’t seem to have any concern for their safety.
“I’m not.” Her brow furrows as she looks around and realizes she is in fact alone. “My friends must’ve gone inside already. Come on it’s cold, and I need some alcohol to warm me up.”
The only reason I let her tug me across the street and up the steps to the house is that Kaci is inside, and I can’t protect her ass from outside.
That voice in my head that’s been telling me to leave her the fuck alone since I dumped that bum’s body in the dumpster silences immediately the second I turn my attention to the living room. Sandwiched between two assholes, Kaci’s head lolls on her shoulders. With the crowd surrounding them, you’d think these guys would take her someplace a little quieter considering consent is the last thing she can manage right now.
The only thing making her seem animated at all is the jerks one guy is causing from using her hand to stroke his exposed cock. It’s clear he’s doing all the work, yet, not one person in the room is stopping them or voicing an opinion about what’s going on. Society is so fucking broke these days.
I’m making my way across the room when the guy on her other side pulls his hand from under her skirt, spitting on his fingers before attempting to slide them back between her legs.
Red-hot anger fills my vision as I shove the last few people standing between me and her out of the way.
My first fist is aimed at the guy with his hand up her skirt. His head snaps back, but I lose it even more when he refocuses and has the fucking balls to be surprised I hit him.
“Dude? What the fuck?”
My fist meets his pretty-boy face twice more, and then again when he tries to speak. Getting the message, his jaw snaps shut.