The car slowed in front of what I thought was supposed to be a house. Except it wasn't a house. It was a whole damn estate.
High fences. Security cameras. An intercom at the gate.
What the hell, Bree?
I rolled the window down, gave my name, and after what felt like a background check, I was finally allowed in.
The drive from the gate to the main house took forever, the kind of driveway that just screamed old money.
When we finally stopped, I thanked the driver and climbed out, staring up at the mansion. Music was already pounding through the walls, lights flashing behind the huge windows. I took a deep breath, adjusted my dress, and walked in.
Inside looked like something out of a movie. Chandeliers, velvet couches, people everywhere. Everyone turned to stare when I stepped in.
And most of them were in jeans or chill outfits, while I looked like a slut in heels and a dress that was probably illegal in three states.
Perfect.
"Rachel!!"
Before I could even blink, Bree came sprinting toward me, hair bouncing, smile blinding. She threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me off balance.
"You came!" she squealed. "And holy hell...you came in extra hot! I knew you were gorgeous, but this? This is next-level smoke-show!"
"Thanks," I muttered, tugging my dress down a little. "Though I feel kind of... underdressed."
"Under what? Babe, you look amazing!" She flicked her hair like she owned the place. "It's a party. These losers didn't get the memo. Come on, let's get drinks. I need to introduce you to some people."
Before I could argue, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me through the crowd toward the bar area, where a few guys were lounging with drinks in hand.
"Guys!" she announced like she was introducing royalty. "Meet my new bestie, Rachel. Isn't she stunning?"
Every head turned.
Every pair of eyes landed on me.
Fantastic.
Bree started the roll call.
"You remember my boyfriend, James?"
Offcourse, I remembered. Their morning workout, traumatized me for life.
"How could I forget?" I said flatly.
James smirked, eyes shamelessly dragging down my outfit. "Damn, Rachel… you're sucking all the air out of the room."
"Thanks," I said dryly.
Bree gestured to the next guy.
"This is Luka, James' cousin."
Luka looked like the definition of a frat boy. Perfect hair, gold watch, expensive polo.
"Hi," I said.
He gave me a slow once-over and smiled. "Hi. You're…freaking gorgeous. Like, unfairly so, it's almost unreal."
That at least earned a small laugh out of me. "Appreciate it."
"Okay, Romeo," Bree said, rolling her eyes. "Back off before you start quoting poetry."
She turned to the last guy who was quietly nursing a beer at the corner of the bar. "And this is Ryan. He's a sophomore and the poor soul who helps me survive my classes."
"You mean the poor soul you force to do all your assignments," He corrected, with the most gorgeous smile I had ever seen on a guy.
When his grey eyes finally landed on me, it was like...
Bam!!
...no air left in my lungs. He was insanely handsome, but his glasses made him look all soft and nerdy in the best possible way.
We stared at eachother a moment too long.
"Um… should we just leave you two to it?" Bree teased.
Ryan laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hi. I'm Ryan Russell."
"Rachel. Rachel Miller."
We shook hands, his grip warm, and for a split second I forgot there were people around.
"Okay," Bree said, clapping her hands. "Its time to drink, dance, and forget we have lives tomorrow!"
--
Before I knew it, we were all taking shots.
Round after round after round until my vision went a little fuzzy around the edges.
Ryan didn't join us. He was still nursing the same beer, sitting a little apart from everyone, quietly scrolling through his phone like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"What's his deal?" I leaned into Bree, whispering loud enough to be heard over the music.
"Who, Ryan?" she said, smirking. "He doesn't like fun. He's a total nerd."
"Oh."
"But he's one of the good guys," she added with a wink. "And he's single. So go shoot your shot, babe."
"Yeah, no thanks." I tossed back another shot. "I'm good."
"Loosen up, Rachel. You look like you've got a stick shoved so far up your ass it's touching your tonsils. Go fuck someone and fix that."
I choked mid-sip. "Jesus, Bree."
"C'mon, babe! Let's dance." James appeared out of nowhere, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the center of the room, the two of them already grinding like the night couldn't get any wilder.
I turned back to look at Ryan, who was still scrolling on his phone. He looked so out of place, and somehow that made him stand out even more.
I suddenly felt a tap on my arm.
"Wanna dance?" I looked up to see Luka's hand stretched out toward me.
I shrugged. "Why not," I said, slipping my hand into his.
He led me to the middle of the room, the bass vibrating through my chest.
At first, it was fun. The alcohol, the music, the crowd, it all blended into this wild, dizzy haze. For the first time that day, I wasn't thinking about Mr. MacLean or Sophie or how stupid I'd been. I just let go.
Until Luka got handsy.
I freeze the second his fingers brush the edge of my breast. I ignored it at first, but he got bolder and gave it a squeeze.
"Stop it," I warned, pushing his hand away.
"Sorry," he chuckled, like it was funny. "Relax, baby. I'm just—"
"Don't touch me like that again."
He holds his hands up, smirking. "Alright, alright. Chill."
For a second, I think that's it. I try to loosen up again, go back to the rhythm...but then I feel him grip my waist, Tightly. He yanks me back into him until I can feel his erection pressed against my ass.
My stomach twists.
"Look what you doing to me," he murmurs, his breath hot against my neck. "Why don't we go upstairs and fix it?"
Before I can respond, he starts grinding against me, shameless, disgusting, like I'm some fucking toy to get him off.
That's it.
I shove him, but he doesn't move. He just grips tighter, fingers digging into my hips.
"Let go of me!" I snap, twisting in his hold.
When he still doesn't, I spin around and drive my fist straight into his face.
The satisfying crack told me I probably broke his fucking nose.
Blood splatters. His head jerks back. He stumbles, clutching his nose, cursing.
"Touch me again, and I'll fucking kill you," I spit, shaking, my knuckles throbbing.
And that's when I realized the music had stopped and everyone was staring...
Bree and James rushed over. Bree went to Luka, panic on her face. James looked like he wanted to murder me.
"What the hell, Rachel?" Bree asked, wide eyed and confused.
James glared at me. "What the fuck is wrong with you!?"
"He..he tried to assault me!" I snapped, my voice shaking slightly.
James scoffed. "Why the fuck wouldn't he try? Look at you. You're dressed like a goddamn hooker."
The slap that followed echoed through the entire room.
Bree.
She had slapped him. Hard.
"Get. Out. You and your disgusting cousin. If you think I'm gonna stand here while either of you touch anyone without their consent, you're out of your fucking mind."
"Seriously, babe?" he asked, clutching his jaw.
"Yeah. Seriously."
He let out a bitter laugh. "Fuck you and your slut friend."
He grabbed Luka, who was still groaning on the floor and stormed out.
For a moment, no one said a word.
Then Bree turned to me. "You okay?"
I blinked, trying to process what just happened. She'd just kicked out her boyfriend...for me.
"Yeah… I'm— I'm so sorry, Bree. I didn't mean to ruin your party."
She frowned. "Who said it's ruined?"
Then, turning to the crowd, she yelled, "Who the hell stopped the music?!"
The DJ hit play again, and just like that, people went back to dancing and drinking like nothing had happened.
I stared at her, half in awe, half in disbelief. "You just kicked your boyfriend out because of me."
Bree smirked, flipping her hair. "Please. I was getting bored of him anyway. On to the next one."
I couldn't help but laugh, even as my hands still trembled. "You're insane."
"Damn right," she said, wrapping her arm around me. "Now come on, chess princess. You just punched a dude in the face and still look like a ten. Let's get you another drink."