Page 44 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Jessica appears out of nowhere, her bubbly energy pulling me back into the whirlwind of the dance floor. She grabs my hand and starts dragging me away from the confrontation. "Come on, Bella! Let's dance like nobody's watching!"

Her infectious enthusiasm momentarily distracts me, and I allow her to lead me into the midst of the dancing crowd, the thumping music enveloping us. I start moving to the rhythm, losing myself in the pulsating energy of the party.

Yet, in the back of my mind, I can't shake the nagging feeling that I need to make a choice. Should I continue with reckless indulgence, dancing away the pain and uncertainty? Or should I listen to that quieter voice urging me to find clarity by going home and getting some rest?

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

Continue to party with Jessica. Indulge in more shots and reckless flirting. Forget about Alex and embrace the party atmosphere. Turn to this page.

Tonight has been fun, but it’s time to go home and sleep off the alcohol-induced haze. Turn to this page.

Chapter19

Alex

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

The music pounds in my ears, and the room seems to blur as I lose track of time. I keep dancing, laughing, and downing shots with Jessica, but amid the celebration, I can't shake the feeling that Alex is watching me.

I glance around the room, and there, in the dimly lit corner, I see him. His gaze is fixed on me, his expression unreadable. My heart skips, and I wonder why he's still here. Or better yet, why he’s here at all?

Jessica keeps dancing, oblivious to my internal turmoil, but I can't ignore the tension. I sway to the music, torn between the desire to forget and the need for clarity.

Laughter, dance, shots — it's all a blur.

The night stretches on, and Jessica's my partner in this wild ride. The music pounds in my ears and time's lost in the chaos.

The cute guy I’d been flirting with earlier dances close by. In the dim, frenetic swirl of the party, his hands snake around my waist with a presumptuous familiarity. Startled, I instinctively pull away. His wide grin falters momentarily, and he attempts to bridge the gap with a playful comment, but I take another step back, losing my balance and bumping into someone.

I'm way too wasted, and I need some fresh air. Stumbling, I navigate the crowd, avoiding drawing attention to my tipsy steps. Outside, it's a whole different world. The night's calm moonlight paints soft patterns on the pavement, and I lean against the building, taking deep breaths of the crisp air. But it doesn’t do much to stop the stars above me from spinning.

Music still throbs faintly from inside, and I swear I can still feel the heavy beat pounding inside my chest.

The cute guy, who does not seem so pretty anymore, stumbles out the metal door, his gaze locking on me. He's got a grin on his face that says he's also had a few too many shots.

"Come on, Bella," he slurs, leaning in closer. "Let me take you home. You're too pretty to be out here all alone."

My words slur, "No, I need to go home alone."

“Come on, sweetheart, just one kiss.”

“I said no.”

But he seems to need help getting the message, and he becomes more persistent, his hands wandering where they shouldn't. Panic starts to bubble within me as I try to push him off.

"Seriously," I slur again, "Leave me alone."

He doesn't listen, pushing me further towards the parking lot. My legs wobble beneath me, and I stumble. His grip tightens, and he insists, "I'll make sure you get home safely."

Fear courses through me, and I attempt to break free, but he's stronger and more determined.

Suddenly, a prominent figure appears in the shadows.

Alex.

His face is a mask of fury, and he grabs the persistent guy by the collar, slamming him against a nearby car. Fists clenched in the guy's shirt.

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