Sneaking a peek back, no one is watching me. I make my way around the house until I’m back at the front door. I slide in behind another body, turning left and heading up the stairs. No one is on the upper level since it’s been deemed off-limits by a flimsy rope, but I do.
I saw Tiffany come up here earlier and I haven’t seen her since.
Tiptoeing down the hall, I pause at each door, listening.
I can hear the murmur of voices behind one door, but I cannot make out the words.
Fuck.
“This area is off-limits.”
Startled, I turn to the new voice, wincing as I realize how loud it was. My eyes widen as I take in the man I met at the first party.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you all night. Are you working?” His voice is teasing, but he still makes me uneasy.
I dash toward him, away from the door. “I was looking for a bathroom.”
He shakes his head, humor clear on his face. “No, you weren’t, but that’s okay. You can lie to me.”
Reaching out, he brushes a strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.
“I’m not,” I protest weakly.
His eyes flare with annoyance before he covers it quickly. “Really. There’s no need. We should get back downstairs before your friend catches you eavesdropping.”
The next instant, I hear it. The door opening. I look up at the man in panic.
“Fuck,” he whispers.
Then he pulls me into his chest, turning to push me against the wall. The way his body towers over me helps shield me from the incoming eyes. Before I can protest, his lips are on mine, hard and demanding.
I gasp, giving him the opportunity to shove his tongue into my mouth. I barely withhold a gag at the putrid taste of alcohol and tobacco. It’s like kissing a dirty ashtray that took a bath in piss.
“Fucking hormonal teenagers,” the man gripes as they continue past me.
I momentarily forget the man kissing me, opening my eyes to take in the man with Tiffany. I barely catch a glimpse, but I recognize him.
Mr. Kendall.
It clicks now that it was his voice that I heard talking to Tiffany in the locker room. He’s in on this too? How far does this go?
As soon as they are out of sight, I push the man off of me.
“Seriously?” I wipe the back of my hand across my mouth. “I don’t even know your name and you shove your tongue into my mouth?”
“My name is Jared, and don’t complain. I just saved your ass. You owe me one.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Whatever. I need to get going.”
A wicked smile forms on his lips. “You look like you’re trying to solve a puzzle.”
I shake my head. “Nope. Just want to leave this place.”
“Okay. Stick with your story. At least tell me your name.”
I hesitate but decide if he really wants to know he can find out easily enough. “Hailee.”
He nods. “Hailee. Such a beautiful name. I have a feeling I will be seeing much more of you, Hailee.”
