Page 41

I’m trying to will any part of me to work, but nothing is.
“Listen Red, we won’t let anything happen to you. We’re going to get you somewhere safe. Just relax.” I feel a hand on my head, pushing my hair back. Mason’s voice.
I feel us moving and arms under my knees and around my back. The music playing is loud. How did I get here? Where am I?
My mind tries to stay focused, but I’m suddenly sitting next to someone warm. Their arm is thrown around me, keeping me upright.
“Just a little longer, Red. Almost there.”
Someone adds, “Chad’s a dead man.”
“We can’t prove it was him.”
“But weknowit was him. Who else would do this?”
Time seems to move at different speeds. I know I’m in a car, but next thing I’m aware of is being laid in a bed. My heartrate picks up, and my breathing quickens.
“Relax, CT. No one will hurt you. You’re in our dorm. In Dax’s bed.” The voice sounds so far away.
My eyes close, and my body gives out. The voices become sounds I can no longer understand.
Then darkness takes me under.
* * *
My head feels like there’s a construction crew knocking against my skull. There’s a pain behind my eyes, and I don’t have the energy to even open them. It feels like I went twelve rounds in the ring with a professional boxer. My entire body aches.
Where the hell am I?
There’s warmth coming from next to me, and I am struggling to move. My stomach starts to turn, and I suddenly feel sick.
“Oh, God,” I moan.
“What’s wrong, Spitfire?” Oh no, it’s Dax. I tense the moment I hear his voice. “Phoenix? Are you okay? Are you feeling sick?”
I nod in response, not even sure if I can form the words. I feel strong arms lift me up and carry me to another room. I slowly peel my eyes open. The light hurts them, but I can make out that I’m now in the bathroom. He places me on my knees and before I have time to think about it, I’m puking into a toilet.
Dax pulls my hair back and rubs my back. “Just get it out, Phoenix. Get it out of your system.”
I don’t know what makes me want to throw up more, whatever made me sick or the sweetness rolling off Daxon. Either way, I’m not sure I like it.
Every muscle in my body tightens as I lose the contents of my stomach. I grip the sides of the toilet until there is nothing left but me dry heaving. I feel my hair fall and water running behind me. Dax crouches next to me and begins to wash my face with a warm washcloth.
“What happened last night, Spitfire?” he says softly.
I’m still woozy, but I’m able to speak. “I have no idea. I was at the party …” I trail off as I try to remember the night before. Everything is a blur.
“Yeah, we found you in the bathroom, and it’s a good thing we did. Come on.” Daxon helps me up and wraps an arm around me. As we walk out of the bathroom and into his room, I see Mason on the couch and Colt on a chair in the room. Both still asleep.
“We took turns making sure you were still breathing. Don’t think too far into it,” he says sharply.
I internally groan as he places me back on the bed. Taking slow breaths, I try to steady myself. “I need to get back to my room.”
“Well, until we know what happened last night, you’re not going anywhere.” Colt’s eyes open, falling on me. His brows furrow.
"Why the fuck do you care? It doesn’t matter,” I seethe.
“Well, we took care of your pathetic ass, so yeah, it does matter,” Dax bites back.