Page 27 of Before We Were

The music fades to white noise as we lock eyes. Having her this close soothes an ache I've been carrying so long I forgot it was there.

"Whatever. I'm not here to play whatever twisted games you're pushing. We can just go back to ignoring each other." She turns to leave, but instinct makes me reach for her arm.

She flinches.

The reaction hits me like a physical blow. Fear flashes across her face as she wraps her arms around herself, staring at the floor.

I release her immediately, stepping back to give her space. When she finally looks up, the sadness in her eyes makes my jaw clench with guilt. There's something else there too, but she looks away before I can name it.

Connor's arrival shatters the moment.

"Got that drink you asked for," he says with a smug grin that makes my fists itch, balancing two cups in his hands. My jaw tightens as he drapes an arm around her shoulders.

"Farrah's been looking for you, man," he adds, nodding toward the bar where she's shooting daggers at me.

Without breaking eye contact, I step forward and pluck one of the drinks from Connor's hand. His smile falters as I tilt my head back and drain the entire drink in one continuous gulp, the liquor burning a path down my throat. I crush the empty cup back into his palm before gesturing at the water bottle in Nora’s hand.

"Drink more water," I manage through clenched teeth before turning to head inside.

"He's insane. I'd watch myself with that one.” Connor's chuckle follows me, and it takes everything I have not to show him what real insanity looks like. But Nora doesn't need to see that side of me, not here, not now.

I bite my tongue and keep walking.

Fucking progress.

Weaving through the crowded house, my thoughts as dense as the press of bodies, I wonder how I let her get under my skin again. Unease gnaws at me knowing she's out there with Connor. I need to find Jake—he brought her here, maybe she'll listen to him. But first, I need to find Christian.

Just one more hit to get through this night.

"Where's the weed?"

"Sure you don't want to try something a little stronger?"

Yes.

"No. Where's the weed?"

"It's not like Nate Sullivan to turn down a??—"

"Give me a fucking joint. I'm not asking again."

"Jesus, chill man." Christian hands me a joint, annoyance flickering in his eyes. I snatch it and storm out, hoping to find Nora alone, Connor nowhere in sight. But the patio is empty. Panic claws at my chest—Connor is bad news, and if that son of a bitch touches her...

The backyard reveals nothing but typical party chaos. They couldn't have gone back inside; I'd have felt her presence. There's only one other place he'd take her to be alone.

Farrah's voice cuts through my thoughts like a rusty blade. "Nate! Are you going to ignore me the entire night?"

"Have you seen my brother?"

"Are you serious right now?"

"Have you seen him or not?"

"Oh, so I have to answer all your questions, but you get to ignore mine?"

"Fine," I snap, turning to face her. "Yes, I'm ignoring you. No, I don't want to fuck you. Yes, I'm preoccupied. No, I don't want to discuss it. Now, have you seen my brother?"

Her anger is almost tangible. "I actually cannot believe you."

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