Page 166 of Wicked Lord

Coach Carson passed Axel a box, and he jogged toward the blond, tears already streaking her cheeks. He dropped to one knee and unveiled the massive, blinding rock.

“Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

After Lorelei nodded with a tearful smile, the entire stadium shook as he slipped the ring on her finger and scooped her up in his arms. My fucking eardrums were going to burst.

The blood drained from Cordelia’s cheeks, and while everyone around her celebrated the happy couple, she snagged Slate’s flask and downed the rest.

She’d need a lot more than a little vodka to numb the heartache.

As if she plucked the thoughts right out of my head, she dug into her purse, tore open a little plastic bag, and tossed back whatever party drug she’d purchased earlier.

The amount of joy pumping through my veins had a full-blown smile curving my mouth.

Slate jabbed my bicep. “I knew you were a romantic at heart. You rarely smile in public.”

“I just can’t seem to control myself, Slate.”

Cordelia threw the thin strap of her glittery gold purse over her shoulder and stood, giving Lexi a fake smile. “I’m just going to the bathroom before it gets too crowded. I’ll meet you guys outside.”

Lexi’s brow furrowed as her roommate stumbled out the aisle and up the stairs to escape the celebration.

“I’m out of here.” I elbowed Slate. “I’ll see you guys back at the house.”

I didn’t even wait for his response before bounding up the stairs after the sad little bird with a broken heart. I hadn’t seen enough spiraling yet.

Cordelia hurried out of the stadium, getting as far from the crowd as possible. She didn’t notice me following her into Stonewall's darker, less-lit areas while tiny sobs slipped from her mouth.

I chuckled under my breath.

Aw, the little birdie was singing a sad song. If she knew her sounds of pain had my blood pumping, would she stop?

Soon, her steps became wobbly, and she seemed to wander aimlessly without really seeing her surroundings.

Damn it.

Cordi was headed straight toward the old stone staircase. The school had torn it down to make repairs after a few of the steps cracked. Couldn’t have wealthy heiresses tripping on their stilettos and breaking their necks.

She busted right through the yellow caution tape. If she continued on this path, she’d fall right over the edge where the stairs used to be. Then, all my plans to watch her suffer would be ruined.

I widened my stride to catch up, my pulse spiking. I wouldn’t let her fuck this up already.

Just as the inebriated girl reached the edge and walked right onto nothing, I darted forward, snatched her waist, and pulled her back onto firm ground. She screeched as I shoved her against the stone wall, trapping her body with mine.

The only sound for several long moments was our heavy breathing, so damn loud in this deserted part of campus. Her scent perfumed the air around us, and a wave of heat slithered over my body as her soft curves melted against my hard muscles.

“What the hell are you doing?” Her trembling hands rested on my back. “Why did you grab me, Gage?”

I jerked my chin toward the demolished staircase. “You almost fell to your death.”

Her jaw dropped when she noticed the gaping hole. “Y-you saved me?”

The fear and sadness began to fade as the drug overtook her senses, and lust swirled in her bloodshot eyes.

She wasn’t seeing me, though. She was still fantasizing about the guy she lost.

I broke away from her and scowled. “I’m not into Axel’s sloppy seconds.”

Cordi’s hand cocked back to slap me, but I grabbed it before her palm made contact with my cheek.