Page 22 of Save Me

“Would you like me to take my boxers off so we can be even?” he asked.

Yesalmost fell out of my mouth, but Colt’s arms tightened around me. “Keep your boxers on. Same goes for you, babe. Clothes stay on until you are sober.”

I sighed frustratedly.

Chuckling, Creed turned off the light. The bed dipped when he climbed in next to me.

“I have a question,” I said.

Creed scooted closer. “Of course you do.”

“Why can’t we do stuff because I’m drunk? I get that you don’t want to take advantage, but what if I want to?” I asked.

“And what stuff is that?” Creed asked and I swore I could hear the laughter in his voice.

Colt sighed. “Don’t encourage this.”

Creed chuckled. “Fine. Shi?”

“Yes?”

“Why can’t thisstuffyou speak of wait until you’re sober?” Creed asked. “Why take the risk of crossing a line?”

“That’s a very good point. I wish my hormones understood that right now,” I said.

Both of them snorted. Creed cupped my cheek. “Time for sleep.”

I bit my tongue to keep myself from arguing. I didn’t want to sleep.

7

Mr. X pulledme off my bedroom floor by my hair. My throat was so sore from screaming, all I could do was grit my teeth through the pain. He was trying to get me on my bed. I couldn’t let him do that.

The moment my feet were flat on the ground, I fought. I hit him, kicked him, and scratched him. He grunted a curse when I clawed his cheek.

His hand wrapped around my throat and squeezed. Digging my nails into his hand and wrist that held me, I tried to suck in what little air I could. His other hand appeared out of nowhere. I only got a glimpse of it before pain flared like lighting on the left side of my face. I flew backward. I braced to hit my bed, but it never came, and I continued to fall.

* * *

I lurched up into a sitting position with the feeling of falling still twisting up my stomach. I was breathing heavily, and my heart was pounding in my chest as if I’d just got done running.

A hand rubbed up and down my arm. “Bad dream?” Creed asked, his voice heavy with sleep.

I looked from him to Colt, who was sound asleep on my other side. “I’m fine. Go back to sleep,” I whispered.

Creed didn’t argue and was out within seconds. Doing my best not to wake them, I clambered out from between them and off the bed.

“Where you going, babe?” Colt mumbled.

“Bathroom. Go back to sleep,” I whispered.

Colt also didn’t argue and fell back to sleep before I made it to the door. After relieving myself, I washed my hands, took a look at myself in the mirror, and cringed. I had panda eyes. My dark lipstick had smeared to one cheek. Hovering over the sink, I splashed water on my face and did my best to wash most of my makeup off.

As I dried my face and hands, I noticed my hands were shaking. I squeezed them into fists, hoping that would make them stop. My knuckles turned white and my nails dug into my palms until it hurt. Physical pain always felt better than what I was feeling on the inside. I needed to go for a run.

Leaving the bathroom, I tried to remember where I’d last seen my wristlet. I had given it to Creed to hold before Isabelle and I had gone to dance. If I knew the guys, they would have put it in the bowl by the front door. Going into the dark living room, I turned on one of the free-standing lamps they had next to the couch. With light to see, I went over to the bowl, and sure enough my wristlet and keys were there. I pulled out my phone, hoping the time would tell me four or five in the morning. My phone lit up and showed me that it was barely two-thirty. This town’s bars closed at two in the morning, meaning people were making their way home and some, who weren’t smart, were probably trying to drive home drunk. Logan would kill me if he found out I’d gone running at this time of night. What if the guys woke to find me gone? I didn’t want them to worry. But I couldn’t go back to bed. Just the thought of doing that made my chest hurt. I needed to do something. Keep myself busy.

I looked around. If I was quiet, I could get ahead of what needed to be done for Keelan’s birthday. I had asked Colt and Creed what to expect with Keelan’s party after learning about it. They had told me that people were coming over, they’d all hang out by the pool, and Knox would grill some food. To which I’d replied, “That’s it? What about decorations? Cake? Snacks? Drinks?” They had looked at each other, then Creed had responded with, “There will be beer.” After I’d heard that, I had asked Keelan if I could contribute to his party. He’d seemed happy at the idea and given me the go-ahead to do whatever I wanted.