Page 2 of Fetch

“I think it’s sweet. You just don’t like nice guys,” I semi-tease.

Juniper has a new toxic boyfriend every other week. My dating life, on the other hand, is nonexistent. Ever since my injury, I haven’t felt like myself. Other than an occasional random hookup, I don’t have the desire to get close to anyone.

Spending three years with a man who I thought wasthe one, only to have him treat me like damaged goods after I lost my dance scholarship… it sent me to a dark place. Even though my leg has healed, my heart hasn’t.

“You want another drink?” she yells over the music.

I nod. “Snag me a couple more Jell-O shots. I’m going to hit the ladies’ room.”

I push my way through the ever-growing crowd. I’m not used to seeing Joystick so busy. It takes me ten minutes to get to the stairwell that leads down to the bathrooms. I praise myself internally for opting for the sneaker wedges instead of high heels as I make my descent. The floors are slippery and sticky with splashes of booze and broken pieces of candy.

I groan when I see the line heading into the women’s restroom. There are at least fifteen girls ahead of me in the darkened hallway. “Fuck this,” I mutter under my breath.

I charge past them and head for the exit, remembering the gas station next door. I shiver as I jog across the parking lot through the cold rain. I’ll have to show my ticket again at the door, but there’s no way I can drink anymore if I don’t pee.

I get the key from the attendant and go as fast as I can. I wash my hands twice before returning the key and heading back to Joystick. I make it as far as the side of the building, near an exit door that apparently doesn’t allow reentry. I start to knock on it when a hand clamps down on my wrist.

What the fuck?I spin around to face the culprit.

“Hey, sexy. Where you running off to?” A tall beefy dude with reddish-brown hair leers down at me.

I snatch my wrist away. “I’m just trying to get back inside.”

He smirks. “Nah, I think you’re looking for some company. Stay and show me what you got underneath that skirt.”

My stomach knots as I glance down the alleyway. There are loads of people just around the corner, but over here, we’re isolated. And the music is too loud for anyone to hear me if I scream.

I back up toward the locked exit door. “I’m good, actually. My friends are just inside. Wanna meet them?” Maybe if I can get him to follow me inside, I’ll have a better shot at shaking him.

He inches forward, forcing me against the concrete wall. “I like it better out here.” Before I can react, he clamps a hand over my mouth. I let out a muffled scream and try to kick forward, but he has me pinned.

“Shhh. I’ll be quick.” He stuffs his free hand underneath my skirt and yanks my panties to the side.

Oh no. Fuck. I can’t breathe. This can’t be happening. I lift my leg and knee him in the groin as hard as I can. His grip on my mouth slips, and I bite his hand before pushing him back. I spin around to make a run for it when he grabs a hold of my hair.

“Come back here, bitch!” He pins me against the exit door.

Tears stream down my cheeks. No. “Please, let me go.”

His eyes darken as he reaches under my skirt again. This time, I freeze. Bile rises in my throat as he slips a chubby finger inside my panties. “That’s better. Hold still while I touch you.”

My heart races, beating up into my throat. I look away as he rubs his finger against my slit. He tugs on my waist with his free hand, coaxing me forward. “Come on, my truck’s just right over there.”

Fuck. I shove at him. “No. I need to get back inside.”

He growls and pushes me back against the wall. “Fine. We’ll do it here.” He shoves his finger inside me, and I almost black out. “You’re pretty tight for a whore.”

The door barrels open beside us, and he jumps back, releasing me. “Hey!” The sound of techno music and shrill voices echoes into the lonely alleyway.

I don’t hesitate and make a run for it, pushing past the bathroom line. I sprint up the stairs and don’t stop until I spot Juniper.

I crash into her, collapsing against her. “He-he tried to…”

“Roxy, what’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?” Juniper cups my face in her hands, her eyes searching for any signs of injuries.

I shake my head as the tears pour out. “No-no. I mean, yes. He touched me…”

Juniper looks around. “Is he still here? I will fucking cut his dick off.”

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