Page 37 of Eternal

Declan still hasn’t moved from his perch above everyone else, and for some reason, that angers me more than if he came down the stairs to torture me the moment I walked through the door. He’s the one who insisted on me being here. So, of course, he’s hovering overhead and pretending not to give a shit.

“Here’s to showing Marco what he’s missing out on.” Mila holds up her shot glass. “And wreaking havoc with Sigma Sin.”

“I’m only toasting to the first part.” Patience shakes her head, tapping her shot glass against Mila’s.

“Cheers to both,” I say, lifting my water bottle.

After spending my senior year of high school being treated like a pariah for not drinking, I’m thankful to have friends who understand I can’t. They clink their glasses against the plastic bottle like it’s a shot and don’t say anything.

Dr. Parish adjusted my dose again two days ago, and for the first time in a year, my head is a little more level.

“Let’s go do something.” I take another sip, anxious the longer I stand with Declan staring at the top of my head. “Aren’t there pool tables somewhere?”

Mila’s jaw falls open. “You want to actually be social?”

“Not with everyone.” I shrug. “But if I have to be here, I’d rather do something other than stand around.”

“I second that,” Patience says, surprising both me and Mila.

“All right, ladies.” Mila rolls her shoulders back. “Let’s go play with some balls.”

“That’s not what I suggested.” I shake my head. “Just for the record.”

Mila smiles, not caring.

She leads us deeper into the crowd, weaving us through the maze that is Sigma House. Mila parties here regularly, so she knows where we’re going, while I already can’t remember where the front door is.

When we reach the pool table, there are a couple of guys in the middle of a game. But that doesn’t stop Mila from interrupting.

“Hey, boys.” She rests a hip on the table, distracting the dark-haired one who is shooting and making him miss his shot. “Can we join you?”

He groans, seemingly annoyed, until he glances up at Mila, and every hint of irritation slips away. His gaze scans over her skin, and when he stands up tall, he’s grinning.

Mila’s naturally charming and ridiculously pretty, rendering most guys incapable of resisting her.

“Sure thing, beautiful.” The dark-haired guy grins. “I’m Oxy.”

“Like the drug?” She hitches an eyebrow.

“Like the drug.” He slowly walks over to her. “Cuz if you let me, I’ll get you feeling good all night long.”

Patience snorts out a laugh. “I’m sure you will.”

He glances over at Patience, his eyebrows knit like he’s not sure what to make of her sarcastic comment.

“I’m Mila.” Mila ignores Patience altogether, pulling Oxy’s attention back to her.

Mila isn’t the least bit shy, and Oxy’s relaxed smile tells me he appreciates that.

Oxy’s blond friend steps forward when she says her name. “You’re Marco’s girl, right?”

The mention of Marco is enough to make Mila’s shoulders tense. “I’m no one’s girl.”

“But he—”

“Is fucking whoever he wants,” Mila cuts him off, and through her confidence, her voice cracks with the hint of hurt I know she’s trying to hide.

“No one’s girl… I like that.” Oxy smiles at her, stepping closer. “Ignore my friend. He’s an idiot.”