Rae of Sunshine (Light in the Dark 1)

Cade’s hands grasped my hips and I tilted my head back to look at him. “Is this what all your parties are like?”

He laughed. “This isn’t my party, but yes most of them are like this.”

“Well, that’s…gross,” I mumbled, trying not to watch the show being put on.

Cade moved from behind me and dragged me into the dining room where we couldn’t see the girl anymore. I was thankful for it.

The dining room wasn’t even decorated as a dining room. It was set up more like a den with a couch, chairs, and a TV with an expensive looking game box. The only thing that gave away the origin of the room was the chandelier in the center that must’ve come with the house, because there was no way college guys would’ve installed one.

I didn’t want to sit on the couch, because it was definitely stained with something funky, so Cade and I stood against the wall like we had in the hallway. The room had cleared out, thanks to the striptease going on—although, I wasn’t sure it could be considered teasing when you ripped off your clothes.

I noticed Eric was still in the kitchen with the same girl. She was basically humping his leg and her mouth was glued to his neck, leaving a slobbery trail.

But Eric seemed oblivious to the poor girl, who was clearly trying to get his attention. I knew this because his eyes were on me. His eyes scanned my body lazily, like he was memorizing every curve. Now I really did want to hide behind Cade.

“What are you looking at?” He asked, turning around to see for himself.

Eric had the good sense to look away in time, so Cade assumed I was just grossed out by the display.

Cade looked down at me, frowning. “Let’s go.”

We couldn’t have been there more than thirty minutes, and I felt bad that he wanted to leave because of me.

“No, I’m fine,” I assured him. “These are your friends. Go mingle. I’ll be fine here.” I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

He looked at me skeptically. “I think we should go.”

“Cade,” I said his name sternly, like I was scolding a child. “I won’t be the girlfriend that keeps you from doing things. I’m fine,” I assured him. “Don’t worry about me.”

He sighed, swallowing thickly. “Give me fifteen minutes and then we’ll go.”

I nodded as he lowered his head to press a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth.

As soon as he disappeared from my sight my anxiety sky-rocketed, but I knew I’d made the right decision. I didn’t want to become a burden on him and keep him from his friends. I didn’t need Cade to become my shield from life. I had to learn to deal with uncomfortable situations on my own.

I fiddled with my fingers, feeling extremely awkward to be standing there by myself. It was clearly only upperclassmen at the party, which only served to make me feel more out of place.

Maybe if I was still Rachael I’d plaster a fake smile on my face and introduce myself to some people. But I felt frozen to the spot.

To have something to do I fiddled with a loose thread on my shirt.

“Need some help there?”

I let out a startled squeak as I looked up and saw Eric. He stood there with his hands in the pockets of his jeans, angling his body towards me. He smiled in a way that I was sure was meant to comfort me, but only made me feel more unease.

“Uh,” I let my hand fall away from the sleeve of my shirt, “no, I don’t need any help.” I took an unconscious step away from. If he noticed he didn’t act like it.

His smile widened. I’m sure that smile had lots of girls swooning into his arms, but not me.

“That’s a shame,” he chuckled, his eyes zeroed in on my breasts.

“Well, if you don’t need anything, I’ll be going.” I moved around him to leave, but he caught my arm, jerking me back in front of him.

“Ow,” I groaned, rubbing the tender area where my shoulder and arm connected. “Was that necessary?”

“Sorry,” he apologized, but there was nothing sincere in his voice. “I just didn’t want you to leave.”

I looked over my shoulder where the blonde who’d been hanging onto him earlier glared at me. “I don’t think you’re lacking for company. I’m leaving.”