Page 10

I toss the note to the side, and my shaky hands meet the leather-wrapped steering wheel. I raise my eyes to my review mirror to meet my reflection. I look lost. My eyes are a deep shade of green, resembling a windy forest. A part of me feels like I should put my car in drive and floor it until I physically can’t go any further. While the other part of me wants to put my car in drive and slowly cruise through the winding streets, hoping to get lost in the dark.

What does it feel like to be ruined?

I shake my head at the thought. I don’t want him. Or any part of this sick game. I know how men like him are. They always want what they can’t have. The only difference is that, unlike all of the other girls in the world, I don’t give in to the temptation, especially when it comes from the Devil himself.

* **

“Are you coming or what?” I hear Astra yelling at me from outside my room.

“Yes, I’ll be right there!”

She is so impatient. On the other hand, Amara is always patient. She waits quietly by her sister’s side. I grab my clutch and my phone, fast walking out of the room to join them.

“Oh my god, you look SO good, Ev!” Amara is constantly commenting on my outfits. She and I share the same style, hot—but modest. I will never expose myself to the world like that. On occasion, Astra convinces me to wear a low-cut dress, but I prefer silk material that still covers me.

“Thanks, Amara. So do you, are those heels new?”

“Yes!” She practically squeals.

“I got them in New York a few weeks ago. I am obsessed with this little boutique I found there. We will have to go sometime!”

“Um, count me in!”

“Are you guys done? I seriously need a drink,” Astra acts as if we have been chatting for a million years, and she is about to meet the grim reaper.

We both groan and follow behind her as we head out to the bar.

* * *

Warm bodies and the smell of alcohol surround us. Lights bounce around the room as “Sports Car” by Tate McRae filters through the bar. We linger at the bar, waiting for our drinks to arrive.

“I didn’t know it would be so busy tonight!” Amara yells into my ear as she leans into me.

“Same! I kind of like it though,” I give her a smirk. She rolls her eyes at meas she takes her drink from the bar, passing me mine.

“Ev, we could find a man for you here!” Astra beams at me as if she has just had the most brilliant revelation.

“I came to have fun, not find love.”

She juts out her hip and flips her hair.

“Duh! Men are the best kind of fun!”

Amara and I roll our eyes at Astra. Astra has always been more… promiscuous. While I have remained a virgin. Crazy, I know. Maybe Astra is right— that’s my problem. I need to get laid. Then the dark desires will die off, and I’ll never have second thoughts about my stalker.

I head out onto the dance floor, and my friends follow closely. We squeeze our way through the crowd and into the center of the bodies. A handful of women are around us, but the men outnumber them by far.

I start swaying my hips to the beat of the music for a few songs, downing my tequila sunrise quickly. I hold up my hand, letting my friends know I am grabbing another drink.

I shimmy my way through the crowd as I emerge at the side of the bar.

“Need another?”

“Yes, please. Tequila sunrise.” I smile flirtatiously at the bartender. He winks back at me and turns to make my drink.

“Tequila sunrise, huh? I would have taken you for a wine girl.”

I spin around to see who is talking to me, and I am met with a handsome face. No, not handsome. He’s fucking hot.