“The goth kids getting their freak on?” Micah suggested, not really paying them much attention. His focused had moved to Mads.
I was pretty sure it wasn’t the goth kids, but who knew. Not being able to see their faces made me jumpy. Mads, Grayson, and I shared a look. This was a complication we hadn’t foreseen.
Micah looked Mads over, a glint in his eyes. “Are we going to screw?” He gave her a cocky grin.
Mads wrinkled her freckled nose, making a face. “I made that mistake once. Never going to happen again,” she stated adamantly.
Beside me, Grayson went stiff, and I knew before he even leaned over to whisper in my ear, “He’s here.”
I went still, my gaze going straight to Carter’s like my body naturally sensed danger. He wasn’t alone. Three of the football players were with him, including Shawn and Porter. Carter’s conceited grin widened when he saw me. His eyes flicked to Grayson before returning to me, and he blew a kiss in my direction.
Every muscle in my body wanted to shudder, to step closer to Grayson, but I had to play my part and pretend like everything was normal. So just what would Josie do in this situation? She’d flip the fucker off, which I proudly did.
Oh, it is on, motherfucker.
“Stay calm,” Grayson muttered.
Easy to say, except that I was shaking everywhere. The minutes seemed to drag on eternally. An hour went by and then another as I waited for Carter to toss back the beers. We made eye contact a few times from across the room, but he more less avoided me.Notpart of the plan.
Crash.
“Shit,” Grayson muttered as the sound of glass smashing echoed from another room. “Stay here,” he ordered before taking off toward the commotion. I didn’t know how he or his parents put up with these parties. People had no regard for others’ homes or possessions.
I sipped on my drink, eyes casually scanning the room for Carter. Shawn and Porter were in the corner with two of the Academy cheerleaders lounging on a couch. Where was Carter? Would one of them be his target instead of me? It seemed likely, and I wondered if he’d noticed how Grayson watched me. The plan was for Grayson to have eyes on me but leave me alone.
Gah.
This night was turning into a bust.
And just when I was about to call it a night, Izzy, one of the standby girls and Ava’s friend, came rushing toward me looking frantic. Her makeup was messy, mascara smudged like she had been crying. Hazel eyes big and wide, she was out of breath when she stopped in front of me. “Ohmygod. I found you. It’s Brock. Hurry.” She tugged on my arm, pulling me away.
The second she said Brock’s name, my heart plunged. I glanced over my shoulder, looking for Grayson or Mads. Dread dropped into my gut when I couldn’t find them. “What happened? Is he okay?” I demanded.
She shook her head. “No. He is with Carter.” Her voice was higher than normal, edged with hysteria.
“Shit,” I muttered. That wasn’t good. “Where?” I asked, going with her more willingly as she led me down the hallway.
“This way.” She quickened her pace, weaving around our lingering peers and shoving one or two out of the way. She ignored any protests.
My mind was scrambling. What was Brock thinking? And tonight of all nights? He couldn’t just leave my stepbrother alone for one night. Perhaps he was pissed that Carter showed up. It didn’t matter. I had to stop Brock before he put Carter in the hospital again. This time Steven would press charges. There were too many witnesses at a place like this.
We turned the corner into a dimly lit room. “In here,” Izzy instructed, pulling me harder through the door. Just as my foot stepped over the threshold, a sharp pain pierced my arm. I whirled. “What the hell. What was that?” I asked, my voice trembling as I rubbed at the fleshy part of my arm.
A masked figure stepped out from the shadow of the door, a needle in his hand. “Hey, sis.”
Ah, fuck. Carter.
“Where’s Brock?” I demanded, taking a step backward. I bumped into Izzy, who clasped her hands on my arms, digging her nails into my skin.
Carter slammed the door shut, removing the skeleton mask. “Not in here,” he said, grinning like a superior asshole.
Chills raced down my back, the blood in my veins turning cold, and I realized it was the drug working its way into my system.“What did you give me?” I rasped, my voice sounding off in my head.
“Just a little something to keep you calm,” he informed me, his voice eerily even. “Can’t have you screaming, at least not until I’m ready.”
Shit.
I jerked out of Izzy’s hold and staggered. Everything felt heavier, weaker. Carter caught me, anger glaring in his eyes. “Don’t touch me,” I hissed. His scent hit me, and fear dug its claws inside me.