Chapter 8: The Ride Home

Everything happened in slow motion. Jake’s mouth was still on my breast when Ryan’s headlights hit the car. My drunk brain finally woke up. I turned my face away fast and bent down like I was picking something from the floor mat, pulling my dress strap up at the same time. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would explode.

Jake sat up quickly, wiping his mouth. The car door window was slightly tinted, but Ryan was close now.

I stayed low, pretending to search for my phone or keys, anything to keep my flushed face hidden.

Ryan stopped right beside the driver’s side. He knocked on the window.

Jake rolled it down, trying to look calm. “Yes?”

“Why are you parked right in front of my house?” Ryan asked, voice sharp. “This your car?”

Jake cleared his throat. “Sorry man, I was just dropping off a friend. Got a little lost with the address. I’ll move now.”

Ryan leaned down a bit, trying to see inside. I stayed bent over, hair covering my face, pretending to fix my shoe.

“Alright. Move along,” Ryan said, sounding suspicious but walking back toward his own car.

Jake didn’t wait. He started the engine and drove forward slowly. The second we turned the corner and Ryan was out of sight, I sat up straight, pulling my dress properly over my chest. Anger burned through the dizziness.

“What the hell was that?” I snapped, voice shaking. “You had your mouth on me while I was asleep? Are you crazy?”

Jake gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Come on, mama. You were looking so good in that dress all night. Those big beautiful breasts… I couldn’t help myself. Just let me suck on them a little more. Please.”

He reached over fast, grabbing my left breast through the fabric and trying to pull it out again.

I slapped his hand away hard. “Stop!”

He tried once more, leaning toward me. “Just a little. They’re so soft—”

I slapped him across the face, hard. The sound cracked inside the car.

“Pull over right now!” I shouted.

Jake looked shocked, rubbing his cheek. He stopped the car a few houses down from mine. I grabbed my bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind me. My legs felt unsteady from the wine, but anger kept me moving.

I walked the short distance home without looking back. The front door was open. Ryan stood in the living room, arms crossed.

“Where the hell did you go?” he asked the moment I stepped inside. “I told you to wait for me. I looked everywhere. I had to drive home thinking you left without me.”

I closed the door and leaned against it for a second, trying to steady myself. “I wasn’t feeling well. Too much wine. One of the guests offered to drop me off. I didn’t want to bother you while you were… networking.”

Ryan stared at me, eyes narrow. “Networking? That’s what you call it? You disappeared for almost an hour.

He stepped closer, sniffing the air. “You smell like alcohol. And something else. You look a mess.”

“I’m dizzy, Ryan. I’ll be taking a shower first.” I headed for the stairs before he could ask more questions.

In the bathroom, I locked the door and leaned over the sink. My hands shook as I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress strap is still a little crooked. Lipstick smudged. Cheeks flushed. What was I doing with my life? Marcus. Jake. Ryan. Everything felt out of control.

The hot water helped wash away the night. I stayed under the spray longer than usual, letting it beat on my shoulders. My breast still tingled from Jake’s mouth. The memory made me feel sick and ashamed. I scrubbed hard, trying to forget.

When I came out in my robe, Ryan was already in bed, scrolling on his phone. He barely looked at me.

“Night,” I mumbled, slipping under the covers on my side.

He didn’t reply.

I lay there in the dark, head still spinning a little from the drinks. Guilt about Marcus came back strong. Guilt about lying to Ryan. Guilt about letting Jake drive me. My life was becoming one big secret after another.

My phone lit up on the nightstand. I grabbed it quietly, turning the brightness down low.

The message was from Marcus.

Marcus: Training session at my house tomorrow, 7pm.

A small shiver ran through me. Even after everything that happened tonight, the thought of seeing him again made my body react. I stared at the message, thumb hovering over the keyboard.

Ryan shifted beside me. “Who’s texting you this late?”

My heart jumped. I locked the screen fast.

“No one important,” I whispered.

But as I lay there in the dark, I knew tomorrow at 7pm I would go. I needed to feel wanted again. Even if it destroyed everything.

The secrets were piling up faster than I could handle.