Page 7 of Shattered Oaths

I’ve never seen Justin like this. He went from being sophisticated man to hyperactive teenager in ten seconds flat. I’ve never felt more grown-up and out of place as I do right now.

“Shots!” Someone, I think his name was Danny, yells, carrying a tray full of red solo cups above his head. Just as expected, the entire room cheers. And to my absolute horror, so does Justin.

I internally cringe.

What in the alternate universe have I walked into?

“We’re going to play a game. Everyone has to play so don’t try and get out of it,” Another one of the frat-bros declares and I pull out my phone, scrolling through my contact list to see who I can bother at this time of night for a ride home.

A drink is thrust toward me and I look up, coming eye to eye with Justin. I shake my head, holding up a hand. “No thanks. I think I’m just gonna head home.”

His glassy, bloodshot eyes widen, his bottom lip jutting out in a full-blown pout. “Oh, come on, babe. Play along.”

I give him a tight-lipped smile. “This really isn’t my thing, Justin.”

He holds up one finger. “Just one game and then we can leave.”

I search his face for insincerity and when he holds strong, I crumble. “Okay. One game and then I’m going home. With or without you.”

“Deal,” he says, his smile blinding as he leans down and plants a playful kiss on my lips that has me giggling despite myself.

I take the drink he had offered earlier, eyeing the orange liquid that only fills a quarter of the cup and lean back in my chair as everyone gathers around. “Okay, does everyone have a drink?” The same guy asks, scanning the group before nodding with satisfaction when he see’s everyone is holding a shot. “The game is Never Have I Ever. I’m sure you all know the rules.”

Jesus Christ.

The first few rounds are tame considering I’m in a room full of immature drunk men and I learn that Justin once got arrested by campus security for running through the dorms in his underwear. But it’s not long before the questions become sexual.

“Never Have I Ever… slept with someone I shouldn’t have.”

The room is silent as everyone waits for someone to make the first move and take a drink. Multiple hands move to mouths and without even thinking about it, I lift my cup to my lips and take a drink, the liquid burning as I swallow it down.

“Ohh, Mrs Justin is a sly one,” Frat bro number one calls out, pointing directly at me.

“I knew I liked her,” another one says, his attention on Justin.

My face burns with embarrassment as people around the room chortle and crack jokes. I knew I shouldn’t have done that the second the sour drink slid down my throat, but there’s no taking it back now.

The next round continues and I hear something about a threesome, but I can’t focus on anything other than the heat burning into the side of my face. I know Justin is looking at me, probably waiting for some kind of explanation, but I pretend to be occupied with the game playing out around us.

“You’ve got some explaining to do.” It’s a low whisper against my ear and Justins unexpected closeness catches me off guard, causing me to jump.

Keeping my eyes low, I dip my head in acknowledgement while silently prayingfor this night to be over.

CHAPTER 2

BELLA

JANUARY

The warm water raining down on me is welcoming against the deep chill that settled in my bones early this morning and stayed with me all day.

I’ve never understood how January is always colder than December but somehow it is. The thick layer of white I woke up to find outside my window this morning would have been welcome a month ago when we were all feeling festive and embracing all things Christmas, but now it’s just a pain in everyone’s ass.

I have thirty minutes to get ready and get my ass across town to the Calloway Ranch for Liv’s baby shower but the deep ache settling in my bones and the heaviness building behind my eyes makes me want to crawl into bed and watch movies for the rest of the day instead.

I don’t know if it’s exhaustion from the long hours at work or if I’m coming down with the flu but the longer I stand in this shower, the harder it feels to hold my bodyupright, so I quickly rinse the suds from my hair and body and climb out, grabbing a towel from the warmer. Whoever invented those, by the way…Genius.

Once I’m completely dry, I pull on a pair of skinny jeans and pair it with the light blue off the shoulder sweater that I bought specifically for today. When Liv found out she was expecting a baby boy, Amelia – Grayson’s mom – and Elizabeth – Savannah’s mom – went full grandma mode and started planning the baby shower. It’s been a long time coming and although I feel like death, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.