Page 38 of Boots & Scars

"Zach was really nice when I met him behind the skate counter," I said. "He invited me to this party and everything. He was charming and cute."

Holly nodded, her expression serious. "Well, be careful," she warned. "College parties aren't exactly social gatherings."

I frowned, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

"People just use parties as an excuse to get drunk and have sex," she explained. "Sometimes drugs are involved, sometimes not if it's an athlete throwing the party. The Titans throw legendary parties, so if you get an invite to one of those, I'd go."

I shook my head. "I don't think it's a Titan party," I said. "I don't think Zach is on the team. Or, if he is, it's not varsity."

Holly's gaze bore into mine. "Just... don't be stupid," she said firmly. "And I say that with love, Ev. If anything about the situation feels wrong, if anyone pushes you to do something you don't want to do, leave. Call me, got it?"

A knot formed in my stomach. "Why? What do you think is going to happen?"

"Look." She sighed. "I'm not trying to scare you. You deserve to live a little now. But don't let anyone make you a drink, got it? Actually, don't drink at all."

I jerked back, my eyes widening. "What? Why?"

"Because guys drug girls and then have sex with them," she said bluntly.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What?" I gasped.

"It's true," Holly insisted.

I shook my head vehemently. "Zach isn't like that," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

Holly gave me a pointed look. "You don't know him," she reminded me.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Holly, I don't think it's fair to make assumptions based on one interaction," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

She fixed me with a stern look. "And you trusting someone you don't even know is naïve," she retorted. "Hell, you know Cooper more than you know Zach."

I opened my mouth to protest, but she held up a hand to silence me.

"I'm telling you, Everly, please," she said, her tone softening. "I know you see the good in people and I know how much you want love. I promise you, it will happen. But just... you have to be careful. Not everyone is good. Not everyone deserves your faith."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. As much as I hated to admit it, I knew Holly was right. I had been sheltered for so long, homeschooled and overprotected by my mother. I didn't have the same life experiences as other people my age, and I knew that made me more vulnerable.

But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope in my chest. Maybe Zach was different. Maybe he was one of the good ones. And even if he wasn't, I knew I had to start taking risks if I ever wanted to find love.

I took in a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "Okay, Holly," I said, my voice steady. "I'll be careful."

She smiled at me, relief evident on her face. "Good," she said. "And remember, if anything feels off, just call me, okay? I'll come get you, no questions asked."

I nodded, feeling a rush of gratitude for my best friend. "Thanks, Holly," I said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

She grinned, reaching out to pull me into a hug. "You'd probably be lost without me," she teased.

I laughed, hugging her back tightly. "Probably," I agreed.

But even as we joked and laughed, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. I knew I had to be careful, but a part of me wondered if I would ever find love. There were so many rules I didn't know about, and stopping myself from seeing the good in someone felt wrong. I didn't know how to turn that off. And honestly? I didn't want to.

12

Cooper

Islammed my fist on the granite countertop, the phone trembling in my other hand. "Are you kidding me, Mark? She's threatening me with lies and you want me to just pay her off?"

Mark's voice crackled through the speaker. "Cooper, I understand your frustration, but unless we can definitively disprove her claims, it might be in your best interest to settle this quietly."

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