Chapter 26 Raven
RAVEN
Everyone picked on me in high school. But it all started with Tanner West and his popular posse of jerks. Popular posse of jerks. I giggle. It has a nice ring to it.
I wobble, the alcohol loosening my thoughts and my muscles and completely taking away that tinge of pain in my ankle.
I’ve had way more than I’m used to. Usually when I go out with Sadie, I stick to one or two drinks.
This one is my fourth. I swallow it down anyway as I weave through the crowd to get away from my past.
Of course, Tanner, Vann, and Orion formed a pack.
It was inevitable. They were almost inseparable even when we were teenagers.
They all played at least three sports, but in our small town, where curling was surprisingly popular, that’s what people knew them for.
I should have guessed they’d go all the way with it.
And of course, they’re my scent matches. The universe clearly hates me. Failed Olympian, scent matched with the biggest assholes in existence. Who are also Olympians. And if they win the gold? Failed Olympian, scent matches with successful, gold medal winning, handsome pack of assholes.
I hiccup, looking over my shoulder to see Tanner slicing through the crowd after me. Great. Maybe I can lose him if I cut across the dance floor.
Why the hell did Vann have to smell so good? I didn’t catch the rest of their scents, but Vann’s almost took me to my knees. My favorite butterscotch candies, sweet and silky smooth. They’re ruined now.
I need to get away. Somewhere private where I can think. Spotting a sign for the bathroom, I hurry my steps, nearly tripping over my own feet. My drink sloshes over the side of the glass. Better finish it. I slow just long enough to drain every drop and hand it off to some random guy as I pass.
Tanner is gaining on me. Shit. Why is this place so big?
And so hot? It’s like someone suddenly turned the furnace up to sweltering.
My coat feels ten times heavier, so I set it on a chair as I pass.
I’ll come back for it later. After I cool off in the bathroom and hopefully get rid of Tanner Fuckface West. That really would be a good middle name for him.
Fuckface. Another manic giggle slips out of me.
And now I’m thinking about fucking Tanner’s face, riding him like my own personal pony.
Not what I need to be focusing on. Okay, that’s definitely not a good nickname for him.
It makes my mind go places it shouldn’t. Bad Raven.
But he’s got the kind of face you want to ride, you know? Too pretty and too masculine. It’s an All-American jock face. The kind that’s attractive, but makes you mad about being attracted to him because it’s just so obvious he’s a cocky asshole.
Okay, sure, I shouldn’t judge people for their good looks.
But with Tanner, I have clear evidence. He’s not a good guy.
He once told everyone I had a shrine dedicated to Satan and had voodoo dolls of the popular kids.
It didn’t matter that it was a lie, no one wanted to be anywhere near me after that. Asshole.
I pick up my pace. There’s a hint of spicy black tea and cardamom that weaves through the other scents, and somehow I know it’s him. Only he could smell that good. If he’d designated before we graduated, and I had to smell that every day in class, I would have lost my ever-loving mind.
I’ve got to get away from that scent before I do something really stupid.