Page 350 of Small Town Firsts

I search for her, but she's not with Gabe and Zach anymore. Or, if she is, they aren't where they were.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I spot her. Except, before I can get to her, the music cuts out and the sounds of sex—our sex—blast from the speakers.

She stands frozen, with tears dripping from her chin. Her entire body is shaking like a leaf, and Gabe and Zach are nowhere in sight.

My vision goes red as people shout and leer at her; a few even try to touch her, and I commit their faces to memory, fully prepared to make them pay later, once I know she's okay.

I start shoving my way through the crowd, determined to make it to her, to explain, to save her.

She turns to flee, and like time itself has slowed down, we both notice the movie playing on a giant projector screen at the same time.

We're both frozen as our gazes meet. She looks so hurt, so broken, so utterly betrayed that, in this moment, I hate myself.

"Get the fuck out of my way!" I roar to the idiots blocking my path.

I don't make it more than two steps before Melanie and Summer stop me.

Melanie bats her eyes as she nods toward the screen. "I told you so."

It's then I realize, that somehow, these two were in on this.

"I will fucking ruin you," I sneer, leaning in close to make sure she hears every word, as well as the promise behind them.

When I look back to Emmy, she has this dead, vacant look in her eyes, and it instantly sets me on edge. But before I can make it to her, she turns and runs.

I feel like the biggest piece of shit on earth as I run after her, now violently shoving party-goers out of my way. Because, deep down, I know this is my fault.

If I wouldn't have agreed to help Rob, this wouldn't be happening. I told her I would protect her, and yet, I basically led her to slaughter.

I'm nearly to the door when Gabe steps into my path. Before I can get a single word out, his fist flies toward my face, crunching against my cheekbone on impact. "You sorry ass motherfucker! I told you! I told you I would kill you if you hurt her!"

I shake my head, despite the pain ricocheting through my skull. "It wasn't me! This isn't me."

"That's not you in that video?" he asks, even though we both already know the answer.

"That's me, but I'm not behind this."

"How convenient."

"Look, you can either help me find her or you can get the fuck out of my way."

Gabe looks ready to hit me again, but before he can, Zach appears out of nowhere and steps between us.

"Stop. Both of you, stop. Y'all can fight later, but right now we need to find Emmy.”

"Fuck." Gabe scrubs a hand over his face. "You're right."

"Let's go. Gabe, you check with Stella. I'll look on campus, and, Sterling, you check her dorm."

"You trust him to go there?" Gabe demands.

"I do," is all Zach says. "Now let's go."

We split up, going our separate ways, agreeing to check in every fifteen minutes.

I haul ass to my car, flinging open the driver's side door and slamming myself into the seat. "Why the fuck is the light on?" I mutter, mashing the start button. Only, nothing happens.

I jab my fingers into it again and again, my foot pressing the brake so hard it feels like it might punch straight through the floorboard.

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