announce.
I don’t wait for either girl to respond before I slip into the crowd.
Now to find someone to dance with.
I scour the crowd, looking for a guy to dance with that doesn’t look like a complete creep.
I startle when I see someone I recognize. He’s dancing with another girl, but the alcohol makes me braver than normal.
“Mind if I interrupt?” I put on my most flirtatious smile and bat my eyes.
Tanner’s eyes slide toward me and he nods approvingly. “Not at all.”
The girl protests feebly as he leaves her and comes to my side.
I haven’t talked to Tanner much—I was embarrassed by falling on him that first day, and then when Bennett mentioned that Tanner was talking about the incident, talking about me, well, I decided to stay away. But I haven’t been able to ignore the way he looks at me and now, tonight, he’s the exact right person I need. I don’t plan on taking this any further than dancing, but he doesn’t know that, and I want to feel desired. I know Tanner will do that.
His blond hair is slightly damp with sweat, like he’s been here for a while, and hangs limply in his eyes. He has a sculpted face and a nice smile, but he’s not Bennett. He never has been. Maybe, if I hadn’t met Bennett before Tanner, I might’ve actually liked the guy, but I can’t bring myself to feel anything toward him.
“I’m surprised to see you here.” He wraps his hands around my waist and turns my back against the front of his body. He moves to the beat of the song and my hips begin to move on their own.
I lean my head against his shoulder. “I needed to get out.”
“I’d say I’m sorry about you and Bennett but I’m not,” he whispers in my ear. “The guy’s an asshole.”
I bristle at that but try to keep the bite from my tone. “No, he’s not.”
He chuckles. “You obviously don’t know him as well as you thought. The guy is a rapist.”
I flinch at that. I don’t want to believe it. I want to think that Sabrina was right—that this is just another set up, but frankly I’m confused and don’t know what to believe. Everything feels like a lie.
I move to the song, trying to drown out Tanner’s words, but they echo through my skull like a pinball.
I finally wrench myself from his arms and shake my head. “I’m sorry,” I say, not meeting his eyes. “I can’t do this. I have to go.”
I push my way through the crowd and back to the bar, where I order another drink. I down it as fast as I did the others and then go in search of Ryland and Elle.
I find them on the dance floor and I yell above the noise. “I’m leaving. I’ll call a cab. You guys keep having fun.”
“What?” Elle’s face falls. “No, you can’t go. Tonight is all about you.”
Tears sting my eyes. “I can’t,” my voice cracks. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”
“Grace,” she says softly, almost worriedly, and reaches for my arm.
I move out of the way and leave before she can stop me.
My cab arrives quickly and I’m relieved to get out of there.
I stare at my reflection in the glass window and I wish I could un-see the tears on my cheeks, but they’re there, the physical presence of the scar on my heart.
“Hey, Michael.” I greet the player with a handshake. I’m shocked he wanted to come all the way to Boston to see me. I figured all the college players were laughing it up that I’d finally completely fucked myself over this time.
“Hey,” he says with an easy smile. “Nice place.”
“Thanks.” I close the door behind him. “I was surprised to hear from you,” I admit. “Do you want anything to drink?” I point my thumb over my shoulder to the refrigerator.
“Nah.” He shakes his head and sits on the couch. “I wanted to see you.”