In Ruins: A Dark High School Bully Romance (A Black Falls High Novel Book 1)
In Ruins: Chapter 8

I kept to the edge of the massive living room, hoping being in the dark would make me less noticeable. I immediately had second thoughts the moment I entered the room. People were dancing to the music while passing drinks, cigarettes, joints. It definitely wasn’t my scene. I craned my neck, hoping to find someone I knew so I could ask for a ride home.

Andy Warren, my lab partner from last year, was leaning against the fireplace mantle, looking extremely uncomfortable. Deciding he was probably my best bet, I made my way over to him.

“Hey, Andy.”

“Rosalie?” His eyes widened as he took me in. “Wow. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Likewise.” I offered him my best smile. He grinned back at me, the tension leaving his shoulders.

“It’s not really my scene, but Carrie wanted to come.” He shrugged helplessly as he trained his eyes on Carrie Winston, a junior from school. Carrie was probably next to take over Juliet’s spot after we graduated. Only difference was, Carrie was nicer.

“You two are seeing each other?”

“No,” he laughed, shaking his head. His mess of dark curls bounced on his head. “I wish, I mean. We’re just friends.”

I gave him a sympathetic look.

He shrugged helplessly. “I was actually thinking about taking off.”

“Really?” I asked, excitement coursing through me. “I could use a ride. I’ll give you some money—”

“You don’t have to pay me, Rosalie,” he scoffed. “You got me through biology. The least I can do is give you a ride back to your place.”

“Thanks.”

We grinned at one another.

“There you are, beautiful.” Cole’s arm wound around my waist, cinching me to his side. He planted a kiss on my temple.

Andy’s gaze darted between us, confusion and surprise both warring it out on his face.

“I’m actually leaving.” I attempted to untangle myself from Cole. “I’m going with Andy—”

“No, I don’t think you are, right, Andy?” Cole’s icy gaze landed on Andy who backed away despite being close to the wall.

“Uh.” Andy’s eyes volleyed between us again. “Sorry, Rosalie, I, uh, I have to use the bathroom.”

He didn’t wait for my plea. He rushed away, leaving me with Cole.

“You asshole,” I hissed at him. “What the hell is the matter with you? Why are you tormenting me?”

“I haven’t even begun to torment you, Rosalie,” he growled in my ear. “That business in the car was just a warm-up to what I have planned for you. We have business to discuss.”

I shoved him away. “We don’t have shit to discuss.”

He was quick to grab me, his eyes moving around the room to make sure no one was watching. “You need to relax. Come on. Let’s get you a drink.”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the room. I ducked my head as people openly gawked at us. When we reached the kitchen, he reached in the fridge and grabbed a can of soda for me.

I arched my brow at him. Ignoring the can, I grabbed a cup of beer from the counter.

“You normally drink?” he asked me.

“Not really.” I started to lift the cup to my mouth, but Cole grabbed it from my hand.

“Then you can only have one. Don’t want you unable to keep your wits about you. And don’t ever accept a cup that you didn’t watch someone pour. Don’t you know how to take care of yourself?” He filled a cup with alcohol for me. “Try it.”

“You poison it?” I raised a brow at him, half-serious.

He rolled his eyes and sucked down some of his drink. “You saw me pour it for you.”

I knew I wasn’t getting out of trying it, even though I’d originally had no intentions of drinking it, so I tipped the glass back and chugged down a moutful before sputtering.

“Gross,” I coughed out, wiping my mouth.

“It gets better.” He nodded to my cup. “Enjoy it while we make our rounds.”

“Cole, I seriously just want to go home. I don’t fit in here.” I looked around with unease at all the people I either didn’t like or didn’t know.

“You’re here with me. You fit in.”

“You’ve already pissed me off. You’re only looking to get laid.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. But so are you. You wanted it in the car. I felt how wet you got when I touched you.” He moved in close to me, his lips near my ear. “You ever had someone get you off, Rosalie?”

A violent heat swept through me, pooling in more than just my cheeks at his words. He let out a soft chuckle.

“That’s what I thought. Come on.”

I didn’t know what was happening or why I was doing what I was doing. Maybe it was the fear of being chucked in the pool. Maybe it was the excitement of being accepted, even for a night. But I tipped that plastic cup against my lips and swallowed down the liquid courage, my eyes locked on Cole’s knowing gaze.

One night couldn’t hurt.

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