“What?” I spit.
I still haven’t forgiven her for her petty Instagram post. As if I’d roll over and shove my dick back in her poisonous mouth because she posted it on social media? Fucking stupid.
She levels a cool look at me, stance full of attitude.
“Where are you off to? Aren’t you having a good time?” She puts her hands on my chest. “We should go upstairs. I’ll make you feel better.”
I grab her upper arms in a too tight hold that makes her wince.
“What could possibly make you believe,” I grit through my teeth, “I would be interested? How many times do I have to tell you I’m done?”
I release her with a shove. She stumbles back a step and rubs her arms. Her lip juts out petulantly. It works to get guys to do what she wants, but she can’t control me like that anymore.
“If you don’t get out of my face, Marissa, I’m making you leave the party.”
“Just listen,” she snaps. Her mouth curls into a cruel curve as she examines her nails. “I thought you’d need a shoulder to cry on. I saw your little Gemma yesterday in school. You might be hung up on her, but she’s got it bad for Carter. She was going on and on about how much she wants to fu—”
My hand moves in a flash, wrapping around Marissa’s throat. She cuts off with shock in her wide eyes.
“Jesus. You’re pathetic,” Marissa hisses, flattening her brows.
“Not as pathetic as you. I’m not believing your shit. You’re being catty because you didn’t get your way.” I bring my face close to hers, growling, “Gemma isn’t like you. She doesn’t manipulate people.”
Marissa’s gaze flicks to the side. “Oh yeah? So what’s that about?”
I let her go, turning in the direction indicated. Carter has Gemma in his arms.
A red haze slams over my vision, blood surging with a fiery rage at the sight of him kissing her neck. Her hands are on his chest, body arched.
No fucking way.
There’s no way Gemma fooled me.
But I can’t deny it looks exactly like Marissa said. My stomach knots itself and a tightness squeezes my chest.
He’s all over her.
Gemma’s gaze finds mine, like she wants to make sure I see before Carter kisses her.
My breathing is heavy, fraught with the tension of my rising anger.
Then she rips her mouth from Carter’s with a cry that pierces through the haze. It’s hard to hear over the heavy beat of EDM, but I make out the anguish crumpling her face. She’s desperate and pleading, reaching out to grab hold of people as Carter hauls her away.
Fuck.
The scene rearranges, re-cast in the harsh light of the truth.
I search the room for Alec and Devlin as my veins freeze out the hot rush of anger.
“Hey!” Marissa yells when I push past her.
My heart pounds in time with the music, pulse speeding up as I urgently look for help.
It doesn’t matter if Gemma hates me. I’m not going to leave her. She’s getting my help whether she needs it or not.
Everything screams at me. I need to get Gemma away from Carter.
Thirty-Three