Chapter 5

“Stay in the car,” Damien said sharply, his hand shooting out to grab my wrist before I could fully open the door. His voice was low and tight, the kind of tone that usually made people listen.

“Elena, I mean it. Do not get out.”

I turned to look at him, the world tilting sideways in that dizzy, warm way the alcohol made everything feel. For a second I just smiled at him , this slow, drunk, stupid smile that probably looked ridiculous with my tear-streaked face and messy hair.

My heart felt too big for my chest. Everything was spinning, but looking at him made it spin in a good way.

“I love you,” I said softly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

They felt true in that moment, even if they were soaked in liquor and pain. “I think I always did a little. Even when I was with him.”

Damien’s eyes widened, something raw flashing across his face. His grip on my wrist tightened for a second like he wanted to pull me back in and never let go. But then his jaw clenched and he let go. “Elena —”

I didn’t wait. I pushed the door open and stepped out on shaky legs. The ground felt like it was moving under me.

My heels wobbled, and I had to grab the car door to steady myself.

The night air was cooler now, making my skin prickle, but my body was still burning from what we had done in the car.

I could still feel him inside me, the ache between my legs a reminder that for a few minutes I had forgotten everything.

I started walking toward the two guys who had blocked us.

They were standing there with their arms crossed, looking at me like I was entertainment. One of them was Marcus’s friend Tyler, the loud one who always made jokes at my expense.

The other I didn’t recognize, but he had the same smug, rich-boy energy.

“Elena!” Tyler called out, his voice dripping with fake concern. “We’ve been looking for you, girl. Marcus has been blowing up our phones worried sick. You weren’t replying to his texts.”

I laughed. It came out loud and unsteady. My legs felt like jelly, but I kept walking toward them, one hand trailing along the side of Damien’s car for balance.

“Worried? That’s funny. He wasn’t worried when he was inside that girl.”

The second guy smirked, looking me up and down slowly. His eyes lingered on my wrinkled dress and the way I was swaying. “Damn, you look like you’ve had a night. Nice ride though.” He nodded toward Damien’s car, the black luxury thing still idling behind me. “Moved on quick, huh? Who’s the rich guy dropping you off? Finally trading up from Marcus?”

Tyler laughed, stepping closer. “Come on, Elena. Marcus said he didn’t mean it. It was just a stupid mistake. You know how he gets when he drinks. He wants you to come back so you two can talk. He loves you, man. That girl meant nothing.”

I stopped a few feet away from them, the world spinning faster. My head felt heavy, but my body felt light and reckless. “He loves me?” I repeated, my voice cracking into a bitter laugh. “He laughed while he was fucking her. And you two are out here defending him? Typical.”

The second guy stepped even closer, his grin turning nasty. “Hey, easy. We’re just the messengers. But look at you… all messed up and drunk. You sure you should be out here alone?” His eyes dropped to my legs, then higher.

“That rich dude in the car get what he paid for? Or you still got some left for old friends?”

Tyler chuckled, moving to my other side so they had me between them. “Yeah, Elena. Marcus would kill us if he knew we let you walk home like this. Why don’t we take you back to the party? Or… somewhere quiet. We can help you forget all about it.”

I tried to step back, but my heel caught on the pavement and I stumbled. One of them , the second guy, caught my arm, his grip a little too tight, a little too lingering.

His other hand brushed my waist, sliding lower like it was accidental. “Whoa, careful there. Wouldn’t want you falling and hurting that pretty ass.”

My skin crawled, but the alcohol made it hard to pull away fast enough. “Get your hands off me,” I slurred, trying to shove him. My push was weak, and he just laughed.

“Come on, don’t be like that,” he said, his hand sliding even lower, fingers grazing below my waist, right over the curve of my ass through my dress. “We’re just looking out for you. Marcus would want us to make sure you get home safe. Or maybe… you don’t want to go home yet?”

I felt sick. The ground kept shifting under me, and his touch made my stomach turn. But the words wouldn’t come out right. Everything was too slow, too heavy.

“Get off me,” I said louder, trying to twist away. My voice cracked. “I said get off!”

He didn’t let go. Instead he grinned wider, pulling me closer. “Make me.”