Chapter 14
Mary
"Let's go grab some drinks," Seb says, grabbing my hand and leading us to the kitchen, where I take in the rows and rows of bottles lined up on the counter. Vodka, rum, whiskey—you name it.
The whole house is packed. People are squeezing past each other as they go up the stairs, long lines forming for the bathrooms. I can feel the crunch of chips under my feet the farther I follow Seb into the kitchen. It already smells like sweat and vomit.
"What do you want, Little Rebel?" Seb gives me a mischievous smirk over his shoulder. With a matching smile, I run my hands along the back of his shirt.
"Anything," I whisper in his ear so only he can hear me. The look he gives me would make any woman melt into a puddle. These parties always end with my back on his bed and him between my thighs—the perfect ending to a fun night. And I have no doubt tonight will end the same way. I can't wait.
He turns his attention back to the drinks and begins to make whatever concoction he can come up with while my eyes roam the room.
Everyone from campus is here, including the most infuriating pair of brothers—the ones who have tried to get under Seb’s skin since day one.
Always wanting everything he has, even when they already have anything they could possibly want.
My eyes clash with Anthony's, and he sends me a wink before turning his attention back to the poor blonde clinging to his arm. She'll learn soon enough that he's just using her. Seb breaks my thoughts when he turns around and hands me a red cup full of liquid.
I bring the rim to my mouth and almost choke as it hits my tongue.
"Jesus. How much alcohol did you put in this, Seb?
" I gag before letting out a laugh. He only shrugs.
"Probably a little too much." Strong arms loop around my waist. I bring my arms around Seb's neck, careful not to spill the drink still in my hand as he bends down.
His lips barely touch mine, drawing me in for a gentle kiss.
He moves his lips from my mouth to the column of my throat.
My eyes close as I get lost in the way he feels against me.
Everything else disappears. It's only us.
"Seb," I whimper, suddenly wanting a lot more than what he's giving me. His chuckle vibrates through my body. "What's wrong, Little Rebel? Need something?" He pulls back, looking down at me with the same need coursing through me.
"Take me upstairs." I press a kiss to his chest, since I can't reach his neck. I watch as Seb downs the rest of his drink and sets the empty cup on the counter before grabbing my hand. A football being tossed in our direction causes him to drop his hold on me and catch the ball with an oomph.
"Nice catch, Seb!" Winston, one of the guys from the football team, calls out, jogging into the kitchen to get the ball back. Seb hands it over to Winston, and I take the chance to take another sip of my drink. Jesus. A little bit of juice or soda would've gone well with this much liquor.
"Come meet the new guys on the team. I doubt Ace has introduced you all, but I think you'll like them," I hear Winston say, but Seb hesitates. His hand finds mine again.
"Maybe another time, man," Seb begins, but I cut in.
"You can go, Seb. I'll be just fine right here with my cup of vodka." I laugh, and he smiles before leaning down to press his lips to mine again, not caring that Winston is waiting.
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you alone with all these people." His hand squeezes mine. I know if I said I minded, he wouldn't hesitate to tell Winston off. But I can entertain myself for twenty minutes.
"I’ll be just fine. Meet you upstairs in one of the guest rooms in, say, half an hour?" My finger runs down his chest, stopping just above his jeans. His eyes darken with lust—I’ve got him.
"Thirty minutes. Not a second longer." He kisses me again, longer this time, before releasing me and leaving the kitchen with Winston. A smile on my face, I set my cup on the counter and pull out my phone, opening my text thread with Maddie.
She was supposed to come but had other plans with her parents.
Maddie: This is the fucking worst thing I've ever endured. Please explain the party in detail so I can pretend I'm there.
Me: Umm… there are lots of drunk people, smoke everywhere, and the floors are sticky.
Maddie: Sounds like heaven.
I don't have a chance to reply before a body crashes into me, sending my phone flying and the screen shattering.
"Shit, sorry, princess. Didn't see you there.
" Tyler says, righting himself. He's either really drunk or just being a fucking dick—probably the latter.
He bends down, picks up my phone, and winces.
"Oops. Guess you needed an upgrade anyway.
If you can't cover the cost on your small income, I'll do you a solid and pay for it—but you'll owe me one.
" He moves closer, and his stale breath hits my nose.
I have to stop myself from gagging. I put my hands on his chest and shove him back.
He stumbles, a stupid smile on his gross face.
"Fuck off, Tyler. I'd rather get hit by a truck than owe you a goddamn thing." I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest as a shield.
"Anthony, can you believe the perfect Sebastian Calyx left his precious jewel all alone at a party like this?"
"Honestly, yeah,” Anthony says. “It's rare to see you two not joined at the hip. But since he's busy, let us show you how to have a fun time." Anthony crowds in on my other side, and it feels like the walls are closing in as they inch closer.
"No thanks. Choking sounds better than being around you two a second longer." I grab my cup from the counter behind me and down it in one go, needing the courage to stand up to these low-life assholes.
I try to step away from them, but Tyler’s hand shoots out, gripping my bicep hard enough to bruise.
"Watch it, princess. See you around." He lets me go with a shove, and I almost fall. My vision blurs as Tyler and Anthony watch me push through the crowd.
I have no idea where Seb is—probably outside—and I'm not feeling well enough after all that to track him down. I'll wait for him in the guest room.
The stairs tilt under me like they're made of water.
Fuck. I didn't think I was this much of a lightweight.
Each step stretches longer than the last, like I'll never reach the top.
My legs don't feel like my own. I make it halfway, my fingers clawing for the railing, but my hand won't wrap around it properly.
Something doesn't feel right.
My head buzzes, like someone stuffed cotton in my ears, muting the music downstairs to a low hum. Maybe I didn't eat enough today, and the liquor’s hitting too hard.
I try to move faster, but my body doesn't listen. As I blink, the edges of the room smear into darkness. Something's wrong. I can't think straight enough to name it, but the thought rattles in the back of my skull as my knees buckle halfway.
Before I can hit the ground, a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I can't find the energy to fight off whoever has me—but it's not Seb. I know Seb. This person smells like beer and expensive aftershave.
"L-let me g-go," I manage to mumble out, but I'm only met with a chuckle in my ear. I dig deep and manage to throw my head back, just enough to collide with whoever is holding me up. The sound of a door slamming is the only way I know we’re no longer on the stairs.
"You stupid, fucking cheap slut," he grunts before tossing me to the floor. My head hits the floor. Everything goes black as I blink, trying to clear my vision.
I manage to look up, and my mouth goes dry.
"What do you want?" I ask, my chest heaving as they step closer to me.
"Whatever I want," Tyler smiles, while Anthony wipes at the blood trickling from his nose.
"Ready for some fun, Mary?"