Page 50 of Boots & Scars

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It swung open almost immediately, revealing Zach. His eyes raked over me, taking in my appearance. A slow smile spread across his face as he stepped back, allowing me to enter.

"See?" he called out to the others. "She totally would have won Miss Cherry Friday night if she had been here."

One of the guys lounging on the couch smirked. "It doesn't count if you don't pop it."

The comment made my cheeks burn, and I glanced away, unsure of how to respond. Zach just laughed, slinging an arm around my shoulders and guiding me further into the house. It must have been a joke that clearly went over my head.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of beer and sweat. People were everywhere—dancing, talking, drinking. The music was even louder now; the beat pulsing through my body. I felt out of place, like I didn't quite belong.

Zach must have sensed my unease because he leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Relax," he said. "You're with me. Let's get you a drink."

He led me through the throng of people, his hand warm on the small of my back. We reached the kitchen, where a group of girls were mixing drinks. They looked up as we approached, their eyes assessing me.

"Who's this?" one of them asked, her voice sharp.

"This is Everly," Zach said, grabbing a cup and filling it with something from a large bowl on the counter. "She's cool."

He handed me the cup.

I hesitated, remembering what Holly had told me about drinks at frat parties. But Zach was looking at me expectantly, and I didn't want to seem uncool.

"Come on," he said, nudging me. "Don't you trust me? It was just made right in front of you."

I glanced at the girls who were giggling and drinking, seemingly without a care in the world. They looked like they were having fun, and I wanted to fit in. I wanted to experience the college life I had always dreamed of, the stuff I read about and watched on TV. Plus, Zach would never do anything to hurt me. Not when he cared.

I took a tentative sip. The drink was sweet, with a bitter aftertaste that made me wince. Zach grinned at my reaction.

"Good, right?" he asked, taking a swig from his own cup.

I nodded, not wanting to admit that I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. But as I took another sip, I could feel the warmth spreading through my body, loosening my muscles and making me feel more relaxed.

"It takes some getting used to," he said. "But trust me, it'll help you loosen up."

I nodded, taking another sip. The warmth of the alcohol spread through my body, making my head feel fuzzy. Zach's arm was still around me, his touch both comforting and unsettling.

Zach led me back out into the main room, where the music was even louder. He pulled me close, his hands on my hips as we started to dance. I could feel the beat pulsing through me, the alcohol making everything seem a little bit fuzzy around the edges.

As we danced, Zach's hands started to wander, sliding up my sides and brushing against the sides of my breasts. I tensed, not sure if I was comfortable with his touch. But then he leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear.

"You're so hot," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

I shivered, a mix of excitement and unease coursing through me. I had never been in a situation like this before, and I wasn't sure what to do. But as Zach's hands continued to explore my body, I found myself leaning into his touch, the alcohol and the music making everything feel surreal. My head buzzed, like it was floating, and I couldn't tell if it was from the alcohol or the way he made me feel.

"You know," I said over the music, my words slightly slurred, "there's this place up north where the stars are as big as Christmas lights. I've always wanted to go there."

"Oh, yeah?" Zach asked, his lips brushing against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"It would be cool as a first date," I continued, my thoughts spilling out without filter. "Unless this counts as a first date. I've never been on a first date so I wouldn't know."

I was babbling; the words tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop them. My face heated up, but I couldn't tell if I was blushing or if it was just the alcohol.

Zach jerked back, his eyes widening. "Date?" he asked, his voice laced with surprise.

"Yeah," I said, suddenly feeling unsure. "This is a date, isn't it? You like me and I like you. I got dressed up and you're taking me to this party and..."

Before I could finish my sentence, Zach's lips crashed against mine. I kissed him back, my heart racing in my chest. It was my first kiss, but it wasn't like I had always imagined. There were no butterflies, no tingles, no fireworks. None of it.

If anything, it was kind of… sloppy.

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