“Okay,” I muttered, not really knowing what else to say.
It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it would have to do for now.
After spending the day together, Zach and I wandered into the overcrowded house that belonged to Aaron Osman.
We squeezed through tons of drunk and high teenagers and college students trying to locate Misty. The music blared through the speakers and every now and then, couples could be spotted in various corners making out.
When we found an empty spot on the back porch facing the ocean, Zach and I got comfortable on a wooden bench. The porch wasn’t as crowded being that it was a hot and humid night, but it was the only place where we were able to breathe. The wind carried the smell of the ocean and it was where I felt the safest.
I had told my parents I would be spending most of my night amongst friends, but I purposely didn’t mention the party. If they knew about the alcohol, there would have been no way they’d let me attend. It was a small town, but since Aaron was an adult, none of the cops questioned him. As long as Misty and the few other underage teens were kept out of sight, there would be no problems. Aaron was a respected individual who had never gotten in trouble with the law, so the party continued throughout the night.
“Are you thirsty, pretty girl?” Zach asked me, rising from his seat next to me.
Nodding, I responded, “I am, actually. A bottle of Poland Spring?”
He smiled.
“I’ll see what I can find, baby.”
As Zach walked into the house, I had never felt so alone in all my life. I looked around, but no one really paid me much attention. I recognized most of the people around me, but there were still a good handful I didn’t know. I assumed them to be Aaron’s friends from college who he must have invited over for the weekend. Where was Misty though? I had yet to run into her. Come to think of it, Aaron hadn’t been around, either. He wasn’t even the one who had opened the door for us. She had to be with him. My gut churned and I hoped that she was okay.
After about ten minutes, Zach walked back out onto the porch carrying a bottle of Poland Spring and a bottle of Guinness.
He handed me the bottle of water, saying, “A Poland Spring for my pretty girl, and a bottle of beer for me.”
I took it from his grasp and said, “I didn’t know you drank?”
He chuckled. “I usually don’t. But I figured what the hell.”
I nodded and took a sip of my water. The cool liquid felt so refreshing on such a humid and sticky night.
As we drained our drinks, I got up to stretch.
“I think I’m going to look for Misty,” I said.
He took a last gulp of his beer.
“Okay, I’ll walk you inside. It’s so hot out, I think I’m gonna grab another bottle.”
We wandered in through the glass double doors and made our way into the house. I gave him a quick peck on the lips telling him I’d be back soon. He nodded with a sweet smile. Those sexy dimples evident once more. For a second, I got lost in them and his beautiful blue eyes, shining even in the dimly lit room.
I scanned the living room, but there was no sight of Misty, or Aaron. I even searched in the bathroom and closet, just in case, but of course, they were not in there. I immediately recognized Liam and waved at him, making my way over. He smiled at me.
“Hey Brae. What’s going on? Zach here?” he asked.
“Yeah, he’s in the kitchen,” I nodded, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Hey, have you seen Misty anywhere?”
He shook his head. “Not for a while now. I saw her sitting with Aaron on that couch over there when I first got here, but then, both of them disappeared. I’ve just been hanging out with these guys,” he gestured over to his side, pointing to what I assumed were two college students; I didn’t recognize them.
I turned my chin up at them in a way of greeting and brought my gaze back up to Liam.
“Well, thanks for the info,” I said, about to make my way through the rest of the house.
“Have you checked upstairs in the bedrooms?” he questioned, taking a large gulp of his beer. “They seemed like they couldn’t keep their hands off of one another while they were down here, and I’ve seen them together all summer,” he added, realizing my fears.
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. It’s the next place I’m going to look,” I said, not happy that my friend might have put herself in that position. I knew she had kept saying that it was something she wanted to do, but I still didn’t think Aaron was good news. He was known for taking advantage of girls.
Liam nodded.
Without saying another word, I looked at him dead in the eyes for a good ten seconds, and then turned and made my way up the winding staircase.
As I made my way up the stairs, I could hear loud banging noises coming from the bedroom to my left. Suddenly, I heard shouting and there was no doubt in my mind who the voice belonged to.
“No! Stop!”
It was Misty.
“Aww, come on, my little whore! You know you want it!” Aaron’s deep voice was now audible.
“Get away from me, you jerk!” Misty shouted, and suddenly, I heard the doorknob rattle.
“Misty!” I shouted.
I ran up to the door, trying to open it, but of course it was locked.
A thump against the door sounded, and then, Misty burst through it.
“Don’t fuckin’ touch me ever again!” she shouted at Aaron.
“Whatever, bitch,” he yelled back.
“Hey! Don’t talk to her like that!” I added, glaring at him.
He gave me one chilling look as he walked over to me, getting in my face.
“What are you going to do about it, cunt?” he breathed out.
At this point, we had drawn a crowd and Misty was standing right behind me.
“You’re an asshole, Aaron. Leave my friend alone,” I challenged. I didn’t care; I wasn’t going to back down. He didn’t scare me, as intimidating as he was. He stood tall at six-foot-three-inches, weighing about two hundred and thirty pounds. He could easily pummel me.
Suddenly, his hand wrapped tightly around my neck and I froze. He was making it hard to breathe, blocking my airway.
“Got something to say now, bitch,” he spat out, squeezing tighter as I gasped.
Out of nowhere, Zach appeared and shoved Aaron, forcing him to release me. I coughed hard, bending in half, and air began filling my lungs. Thank God for Zach.
As I looked up, I was just in time to see Zach swing at Aaron causing him to go reeling to the ground.
“If you ever lay another hand on my girlfriend, I swear to God, I will end your life!” Zach shouted at Aaron, who was now laid out on the ground.
Obviously, Aaron hadn’t heard him, but the crowd around us had and they were now cheering and applauding Zach.
“Are you okay, Rae? Misty?” he asked us.
“I’m fine,” Misty responded.
“Me, too…” I mumbled.
He placed an arm around each of us and said, “Good. Now let’s get the hell out of here.”
As we made our way out of the house, Zach gave me a frightening look as he blacked out and fell to the ground.
9