Page 35 of Cheap Shot

“That’s weird,” he said while working his jaw back and forth.

Maybe it was Ethan’s call that had me rattled, but I had a bad feeling. Someone was upset, a woman. She shouted at someone to leave her alone. How could I ignore that? She could be in danger.

But what could I do? I didn’t know who it was, let alone where she was. I just had to hope that she called back or got help from someone else.

What were the odds of her calling me by accident? Twice?

“Let it go for now; if she calls again, put it on speaker, and we’ll see if we can figure it out,” Benjamin said.

I nodded and put my phone on my thigh while picking up the controller and trying to focus on the game, but it was too hard to concentrate. A knot formed in my stomach, and I kept dropping my gaze to the black screen, willing it to ring again.

Chapter 13

Haley

Sadie checked with each of us as we weaved our way into the front room. “No splitting off without telling one of us first, okay?”

Krystal took my hand and put her other on Ella’s back as we formed a train to cut through the crowd and in the hallway.

There were people crammed together in every room, and I could feel my anxiety rising. This was bigger than the football party and the first party we went to together combined. At least at those, there was space to breathe.

“Let’s get drinks and dance!” Cassie led us into the kitchen where a keg was set up next to a wide selection of bottles on the counter.

I grabbed a cup and slipped over to the sink to fill it with water, grateful for Linc’s tip to keep something in my hands. By the time I wiggled my way back to the girls, they each had a cup in their hands, and we went to the attached room where music played from speakers mounted on the ceiling.

It was probably a living room, but there was no furniture left. It seemed like a lot of effort to move everything out for a party, but from what I’d heard, this house took partying very seriously.

We formed a tight circle and moved our hips and shoulders to the beat, the most movement possible in the confined space. After one or two songs, I started to relax.

This wasn’t so bad. Dancing with my friends was exactly what I needed after another long week of classes.

Cassie bumped her hips into mine and winked before doing a move only someone as confident as her could pull off. I whistled, and Ella cheered. We were pulling the attention of those around us, and within moments, a group of guys surrounded us. I locked eyes with Sadie, silently asking if this was okay, and she smiled and nodded along to the music in response.

We were fine. This wasn’t a bad thing. The guys mirrored our minimal dancing. One spun Cassie around, and she giggled before falling against his chest. He held her up, and I could practically see her swoon.

A hand touched my shoulder, and I turned enough to see who it belonged to. He had thick blond hair cut short and parted on the side and was wearing a white blazer and neon button-up, looking very eighties.

I smiled and pointed at his outfit. “I like it.”

He shot me back a perfect smile. “I like yours. You look like a Charlie’s Angel.”

I nodded. “You got it!”

I was surprised we could hear each other over the music. He held out his hand, and I hesitated for half a second before putting my palm in his. He tugged me a bit closer and put his other hand on my hip.

He leaned in, and I had to keep myself from flinching. “What’s your name?”

“Haley.” Our cheeks were nearly pressed together.

“I’m Jay.”

I pulled back and smiled so he knew I heard. I checked on the others. Cassie was dancing close to the guy that spun her. Sadie and Krystal had moved closer together, clearly not interested in the guys struggling for their attention. Ella had her arms wrapped around a guy’s neck, looking up at him as if he hung the stars and moon.

The song changed to a faster beat, and Jay dropped my hand to put both of his on my hips, tugging me impossibly closer. Our bodies were pressed together, and I didn’t know what to do with my hands. Did I want this?

He was nice, so far. Dancing wasn’t a big deal.

I mirrored Ella and looped my arms over his shoulders, gripping my fingers.