The lights are dimmed back here, and the song changes to “Legend” by The Score. I take another drink and spot who I’m looking for.
She stands back in the corner, leaning up against the wall. She has a cup in her hand and a smile on her face while talking to another girl. And I recognize her. She doesn’t look the same, but I would never forget her face.
What are the odds?
I walk over to them. “Excuse me?”
They both turn to look at me. “I know you.” I point at the brunette that I’m not here for.
She bites her bottom lip and looks me up and down. “I don’t know you.”
I chuckle. “Well, not officially.” I hold out my right hand. “I’m Deke.”
“Brynn.” She introduces herself.
“You work at Silence.”
She nods her head quickly and shakes my hand. “Yes, I do. You’ve been there?”
“I have,” I say to the girl who had asked me to help her. Brynn was strapped in a straitjacket and sitting in a tub full of black water.
“She’s been doing that job for two years now,” the other girl says, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know why she does it.”
“What can I say?” Brynn smiles. “I like being restrained and held under water.”
“Dear lord.” Her friend sighs. “You need to fire your therapist. He is not doing you any favors.”
Brynn laughs. “Oh, he gives me favors all right.”
“Did I hear something about restraints and water?” An arm drapes over my shoulders, and I look over to see Shane now standing with us. His eyes start at her red heels and work up her white skinny jeans and black V-neck tank top that shows off her impressive cleavage. She wears a black choker and a smile on her pretty face. “I’m sad I missed it.”
She takes a drink from her straw. “Well, we get to keep our props.”
Shane chuckles and takes her hand. “Let me get you another drink while you tell me all about it,” he says, pulling her away.
I turn to the girl who I came here for. “Melissa.” She holds out her hand. She tilts her head to the side. “I’ve seen you around campus.”
“Really?” I ask. “Do we have classes together?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I’ve seen you with my brother.”
“Oh, who is your brother?” I play dumb.
“Seth. Seth Wilson.”
I nod my head. “Yeah. Yeah. He’s friends with some of my teammates.”
Her face lights up. “You play football?”
“No. I’m on the swim team at UT.”
“That’s awesome.” She smiles up at me. “My boyfriend is too. Maybe you know him? Peter.”
Yes, unfortunately, I know that fucker. I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and pull it out. I drop it on purpose. “Shit.” I hiss.
“I’ll get it.” She leans over and picks it up for me.
“Thank you.” I laugh. “Had a little too much to drink.”
“It happens.” She lifts her cup to her lips and takes a sip.
I look down at my phone and open my messenger.
Cole: Are you almost done? I can’t talk shit with this girl anymore. Fuck, this is why I never hung out with people at parties.
I chuckle but respond.
Me: It’s done. Get ready.
“I know him,” I say, getting back to our conversation. “How long have you guys been dating?”
“It’s new,” she answers with a laugh.
“Is he here tonight?” I ask, looking over my shoulder to see if people are watching us. But nope, everyone is too busy doing their own thing. I don’t even see Shane and Brynn.
“No. He went out of town this weekend to see his grandmother.”
I want to laugh. The bastard is probably shacked up with some bitch. The way he spoke of Demi didn’t sound like a man in a committed relationship. I guarantee this chick isn’t the only one he’s fucking.
“Whoa,” she says.
I pocket my phone. “You okay?” I ask, placing my hand on her arm.
She closes her eyes and sways on her feet. I take her drink from her other hand and see that she had finished it off. “Good girl,” I whisper.
“Huh?” She asks with heavy eyes.
“Nothing. Here let me help you.”
“I … what …?” she slurs.
I walk her out the back door where there are less people, and she stumbles over her own feet. I lean down and pick her up, carrying her in my arms to the SUV parked a few houses down so the partygoers don’t see us. Cole is opening the hatch to my Range Rover for me. I place the passed-out girl in the back. After removing her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, I jump in the passenger seat. Cole gets in the driver seat since he hasn’t been drinking. Bennett already sits in the back.
“Where the fuck is Shane?” I growl.
Bennett pulls out his cell and calls him. “Where are you? We’re ready,” he snaps. “Get your ass out here.” He hangs up. “He’s coming. Pretty sure he was fucking.”