I was drunk, and with each passing second I was getting drunker. I wanted this though, the feeling of flying as I moved. I wanted to feel without thinking because I didn’t know what being carefree was. I hadn’t in years.
“Slow it down, baby,” Matt whispered in my ear, and his breath blew at a few pieces of my hair, his scent encompassing me. He didn’t look or smell like Talon, but he was here and that’s all that mattered.
“I don’t know what they put in this shit to make it taste so good,” I giggled, slurring my words. Giggling? What the fuck was coming over me?
Matt laughed, his chest rumbling against mine. “It’s alcohol. It has the power to do pretty much anything you want it to, and that includes making you forget all the bad shit in your life.” I nodded my head in agreement to his comment.
“Then I shall continue to devour this deliciousness…” I petted the side of beer bottle, and Matt busted out in laugher. I felt great, fan-fucking-tastic. That was until Talon came into view. He was alone, the glow of the fire casting a shadow across his face. It could’ve been the lighting or my own drunk mind playing tricks on me, but I thought I saw a look of complete despair.
That single look made me want to drop everything I was doing and head over to him wrapping him in my arms. He needed love more than anyone I had ever known. Death either tore you apart or made you stronger.
“You’re looking at him like you feel sorry for him.” Matt pulled my face into his, forcing my attention away from Talon and back on him.
“That’s because I do,” I slurred, staring at him flatly. I couldn’t tell what was right and wrong in the moment. Being with Matt, or going to Talon and telling him that everything would be okay. He just had to hang on.
“Why?” His palm cupped my cheek bringing my lips close to his. I could smell the beer on his breath and feel the heat of his body against mine. My eyes darted up and my tongue slipped out over my lip in anticipation. Did I want Matt to kiss me?
“Because he’s lost, and he just needs someone to love him,” I whispered the words as if they were a secret that only I knew.
Matt’s bottom lip pressed against mine. Breath left my lungs and my hands gripped his shoulders, my beer slipping from my hand as I clung to him. He wasn’t kissing me yet, but he wanted to.
“You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved, Mia. You’re too good for that.” I blinked, my mind was clouded with fog, and the alcohol still running through my veins was causing confusion. Still I was pretty sure he all but told me I was better than Talon. Matt talked like he knew me, and even though I didn’t like Talon, he never claimed to know who I was or what I was about.
“You’re acting like you know me,” I slurred, pushing away from him. My footsteps were unsteady as I took a few steps back, almost bumping into another couple. I was probably making a bigger scene out of this than needed, but I didn’t care. Matt didn’t know me, and he didn’t know Talon. Not like he thought he did.
“Mia…” Matt’s face contoured in fear, and his words were hushed as if he didn’t want to draw any more attention to us. My eyes swung from him and to the rest of the people that surrounded us.
This wasn’t me. None of these people were even my friends. Matt didn’t even know me. The tears were on the verge of coming, but there was no way I would be seen crying in front of these people. They didn’t deserve my tears. They didn’t know me, none of them did.
“I can’t…” I croaked out. I turned on my heels, running through the crowd of bodies and past everyone else. I had to get away from it all. I couldn’t breathe, and now I was stuck here until Matt wanted to leave. I just wanted to go home. I didn’t want to do this anymore.
Tears fell from my eyes as I stumbled over my feet heading out toward the bluff. I just needed a couple minutes to myself.
Deep breath. Inhale. Exhale.
My chest constricted with each breath, the tears continued to fall, reminding me of why I shouldn’t have been out here drinking at all. This was just a big massive cluster-fuck of regret.
“You know that’s a good way to break a man’s heart,” the deep male voice sounded directly behind me. I turned around faster than expected, my mind not catching up with my movements and causing me to slip. Reaching out I grabbed onto the rock and stopped myself from face planting.
“You don’t know me, so don’t talk to me.” I wanted to scream the words but couldn’t. I didn’t have the strength. Instead, they came out in nothing but a soft whisper.
The man’s face came into view, the fire in the distance showing just enough light for me to see who he was.
“Donovan?” I was shocked. If this was his party then why was he all the way out here.
“Mia. It’s nice to finally meet the girl that everyone is accusing of slaying my man Talon Reed.” His laugh vibrated through me, his words shaking me to the core. I hadn’t even slept with the man, how could I slay him without even doing anything.