Shattered Rose (Winsor Series) - By T L Gray Page 0,63
locations, complete with a vast array of liquor, blenders and pumpkin shots. Before we had made it five feet, someone had put a bottle of beer in one hand and a pumpkin shot in the other. I watched as Issy slammed them both back in a matter of seconds and raised her arms up over her head with a proud scream. She was immediately surrounded by people and looked happier than ever.
I took a sip of the shot, more out of curiosity, and recoiled. It tasted good, like pumpkin and cinnamon, but that couldn’t mask the strength of the rum underneath. I set it down, knowing one of those would ruin any chance of us making it back to Diana’s house tonight.
I looked around, having lost Issy in the crowd and saw her on the dance floor with a guy I was sure had to be Ben. He was extremely good looking, almost movie handsome with dark hair that was styled to perfection. He had defined cheekbones and a strong jaw that appeared chiseled. His eyebrows were straight and dark, bringing all attention to his sultry eyes that screamed sexuality. Seeing the two of them together was almost breathtaking because their beauty perfectly complimented one another.
As I watched Issy dance with him, I lost any thought that she felt nothing for him, and it was glaringly obvious that he too was still mesmerized by her. They were so lost in each other that I had to look away, feeling as if I was intruding on their intimate moment.
I was suddenly aware of how isolated I was even though the room was full of people. There was not one familiar face, and everyone at the party looked as if they stepped right out of a fashion magazine.
By midnight, I had finally had enough. Issy had introduced me to all of her old friends and to Ben, who I immediately did not like. He was arrogant and snobbish, meeting every stereotype I’d heard about spoiled rich kids.
Issy seemed to be having the time of her life, floating between partners on the dance floor, but always ended up back in Ben’s arms. The drunker she got, the more inappropriately he touched her, and I was starting to worry a little about leaving her alone. I excused myself from another pointless conversation and went to get her off the dance floor.
“Issy, it’s time to go,” I said pulling her off of Ben. She was barely coherent and was having trouble standing on her own.
“Oh, don’t be a party pooper,” she slurred as she draped herself on me.
“Yeah, Avery, she’s just fine,” Ben agreed with a devilish look in his eyes as he pulled her back to him. I glared at him and put her arm around my neck.
“Do I need to call Jake, or can you help me get her to the car?” My voice was stern, letting him know I wasn’t bluffing. The mention of Jake’s name sobered him up pretty quickly, and he let go of her waist, leaving me to bear her entire weight.
“Fine, take her home. She was getting on my nerves anyway,” he spatted and headed to the bar. I watched him walk away and felt sickened. Issy was way too good for that creep.
Luckily, another of her friends saw me struggling and helped me walk Issy out to the car. We laid her in the backseat and she was out before I even shut the door. I said my thanks and goodbyes, so ready to leave I was practically running to the driver’s side.
I started the car and pulled out of Ben’s driveway, heading back towards Issy’s father’s house. When I got to his gate, I pulled over and tried to pull up the GPS on my phone. No cellular data. I cursed under my breath, realizing that I had no idea how to get back to her mom’s house. Feeling panicked because it was really dark and spooky, I considered for a moment calling Jake, but immediately changed my mind as I thought back to the many times he had scolded me for not taking better care of his cousin. A party at Ben’s house would be unforgivable.
I took a breath and texted Parker, “Are you awake? If so, can you call me?”
It only took a minute for my phone to ring, making me feel more relieved and relaxed than I had all day.
“Hey! Thanks so much for calling me. I know it’s really late,” I said