Page 58 of Downfall

I think he might be trying to give me space, while I’m simply being petty because he’s pissing me off. Either way, I’m done pacing back and forth in this kitchen, looking from the floor where we almost kissed to the counter where he’s buried his head between my legs on multiple occasions. It’s almost ten o’clock, but the night is not nearly over.

With my decision made, I run back up to my room to grab my phone and see three missed calls and a few texts from Amelia.

Amelia: Hey Sky. Sorry to bother you. I’m at a party and my ex is here.

Amelia: He’s making me uncomfortable.

Amelia: Do you think you could come get me?

My heart sinks. Amelia confided in me that she was having issues with her ex when she was here for dinner last weekend. She ended it when he proposed to her because she felt their relationship was moving too fast, but he keeps showing up wherever she is. I check the time stamps, and thankfully the texts were only sent a few minutes ago. I message her back, asking for the address, and she responds immediately.

I know better than to show up to a college party by myself, so I shoot a text to Allie, who is already texting back asking what kind of trouble we're getting into and whose balls she has to surgically remove.

As soon as she stops detailing all of the ways she’s going to do exactly that, she lets me know she’ll pick me up in ten minutes.

The house is off-campus, and if the Greek letters and front lawn littered with empty bottles and underwear are any indication, I would say it’s a frat house. Not what I had envisioned for my evening, but I would do anything for Amie, especially if she’s being harassed by her slimy ex.

“Don’t worry, I got this,” Allie says as she gets out of the car. “Follow my lead.”

“I’ve been to a college party before,” I tell her.

She looks me up and down. “Of course you have.”

Allie grabs my hand and pulls me through the front door where we’re immediately hit by the scent of weed and stale beer, a thick haze of sweat and sex hovering in the air. Music booms from speakers, rattling the makeshift dance floor. People are dancing, swaying their bodies, grinding to the beat, completely oblivious to the crowd. There’s a couch off to the side where a couple is dry humping—or maybe it isn't just dry. We weave through the sweaty crowd until we get to the back where there are several tables set up for beer pong. That’s when I spot Amelia. She seems fine. More than fine, actually. She’s hopping up and down, clapping her hands like she just sunk a shot. Her partner, a taller girl with wavy brown hair, scoops her up in a hug and they giggle as they almost fall over.

“Doesn’t look like she’s in distress,” Allie observes.

I sigh. “Come on.”

Amelia notices me and squeals, running over to give me a hug with so much force that she almost knocks me over. “Sky, you came!”

“Of course I did,” I whisper, gently patting the back of her dark hair. It’s the same color as Declan’s used to be.

When she pulls back, there’s a slight build-up of moisture in her eyes. “He left. Emily scared him off.”

Her beer pong partner, who I assume is Emily, walks over and brushes her long hair behind her back. She gives us a sharp look and says, “Nobody messes with my girl.”

I smile her way, and Allie gives her a nod of approval.

“I’m glad he left, but we should get you home, Ames.”

She pouts. “C’mon, Skysky. Play with us,” she slurs. “One game. Kev needs a new partner. Poor guy had to carry the team all last game.”

I glance over at the man in question who flashes me a lopsided smile before shaking his head, trying to brush blonde hair from his eyes and from under his backward baseball cap.

“That sounds…fun, but I’m a twenty-five-year-old woman. I don’t need to be playing beer pong with college students.”

“Speak for yourself,” Allie says as she walks over to the table. Then she turns to Emily. “I like you. Let’s show this frat boy how it’s done. Yeah?”

Emily narrows her eyes.“I thought you’d never ask.”

I blink, looking back at Amelia. “Your birthday is not for a few more weeks, Sky. Plus, Kev is a grad student. He’s twenty-three.” She winks as she brushes past me to help Allie, Emily, and…Kev set up the cups.

Only Amelia Astor would try to set me up with some guy at a frat party while I’m literally married to her brother. But then, she’s never been a rule-follower, which is why it’s so surprising that she agreed to date a guy her dad picked out for her.

Kev gives me a knowing glance, his blue eyes beckoning me over, as another wave of floppy blonde hair falls in his face.

Fuck it.