That One Night

Chapter 1

The music blasted loudly as I made my way through the maze of people. The smell of cigarettes, weed, and alcohol overtake my senses. I knew I shouldn't have come to this party- but my boyfriend had persisted and said it would look bad if he didn't come to a party with "his girl" so I reluctantly agreed.

Now here I am, trying to look for my boyfriend at a party that I didn't even want to go to in the first place. I had been sitting on the couch for over an hour waiting for him.

"I'll go get us some drinks and I'll be right back."

His words ring in my ear as I get pushed and shoved around by the people walking past. I let out an angry breath as I do my best to keep my senses in check. The smell of everything was getting to me and I felt as though I was suffocating.

As much as I didn't want to take my sweater off I really had no choice. There were so many bodies in this house that the air was getting sucked out. I pulled my sweater over my head as I was walking and ended up running into someone.

"Watch it Bunny, before you hurt yourself," two hands hold my arms just as I finally pull my sweater over my head.

"Don't touch me," I roll my eyes as I see the person in front of me. "And how many times have I told you to stop calling me that, Jaxton?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," he clicks his touch and shakes a finger in front of me as his other hand stays on my left arm. I pull away from him and shake my head and try to walk past him but he blocks my path. "Now aren't you going to apologize for running into me?"

"No need to apologize, little boy. But sure, I'll accept it," I feign innocence as I smiled up at him with insincerity. His eyebrows cinched and he raised one as I pushed him aside and continued on my trek, leaving him behind.

Walking up the stairs, I hear my boyfriend's voice coming from one of the rooms. I take in a deep breath, expecting to see him doing a keg or possibly snorting something he shouldn't.

"Liam, where the hell have you-" I stop in my tracks as the scene in front of me unfolds.

His pants and boxers were bunched around his ankles, his bare chest rising and falling. She was on all fours, her back arched, ass pressed against him—completely exposed. They were mid-thrust when he looked up and saw me. He jolted back, stumbling, his dick still out. My mind spun, struggling to make sense of what I was seeing, fighting to hold onto whatever was left of my composure.

My soul slams back into my body, and without thinking, I turn and bolt. I fly down the stairs, my chest tight, tears threatening to spill. All I know is that I have to get out—now. Away from this. Away from him. I hear Liam calling my name behind me, but his voice feels muffled, like it's coming from underwater. Everything suddenly feels distant. Unreal. Like I'm not even in my own body.

"Carmen. Babe. Please. Talk to me." Liam grabs my hand and spins me around.

I stare at him, and suddenly all I can see is the guy who just fucked another girl—while I was under the same roof.

I rip my hand out of his. The same hand that had just been touching her.

"Explain what, Liam? That you were screwing someone else while I waited for you upstairs? That you've been stringing me along when you clearly don't want to be with me? That you dragged your girlfriend to a party full of people who all knew you were cheating?"

I laugh bitterly. "Go fuck yourself. We're done."

He looks stunned, like this is somehow catching him off guard.

"You broke me, Liam." My voice cracks, but I keep going. "I gave you everything. Every piece of me—for two years. And I knew. Deep down, I knew something was wrong. But I told myself you'd never do this to me. I defended you. I trusted you."

I lift my hand and slap him across the face—hard. His head jerks to the side.

"We're done."

Voices stir behind us. I glance over and see people spilling out of the house, watching the show. His dumbass friends hoot and cheer like this is some frat house drama. I shoot them a glare before turning away.

Liam doesn't chase me. He just stands there. Silent.

Tears burn behind my eyes as I walk. The cold October wind slaps against my bare arms. I hadn't grabbed a jacket—why would I? I thought I'd be leaving with him. My short dress clings to me in the wind, and I tear the devil horn headband off my head and toss it onto the sidewalk.

I duck into an alley, not even sure where I'm going. I hadn't paid attention earlier, and now—of course—my phone is dead. No Uber. No maps. Nothing.

I'm alone.

Footsteps echo nearby. A group of guys walks past the mouth of the alley.

I try to move quietly, blending into the shadows, but the last guy spots me. His head tilts. He whistles—and the group turns around.

My chest tightens. I keep walking, pretending I don't notice them. Pretending I'm not panicking.

"Hey, baby," one of them calls out. "You look cold. Come let us warm you up."

I force a smile and glance back. "No thank you," I say lightly, waving them off.

But their footsteps grow louder. My heart pounds as I speed up—only for my heels to betray me, digging into the dirt. Slowing me down.

They're close now. Too close.

Suddenly, they're around me. Three of them. Blocking every way out.

"Don't be like that," one says. "We just wanna have a little fun."

"We'll take good care of you... if you take care of us."

"We'll keep you warm."

Their words close in like a net. I try to turn away, but every direction leads to another grinning face.

"Please," I beg. "My friends are waiting for me. I have to go—"

"We'll be your friends, sweetheart." One of them smirks, grabbing himself. "Real friendly."

A hand lands on my shoulder. I'm yanked back, my body slammed against someone's chest. His arms trap me in place.

"I— I really need to go," I stammer, wriggling, but his grip just tightens.

"You're not going anywhere, baby," he whispers in my ear, his breath hot against my neck. "Might as well enjoy it."

Another guy steps in front of me and grabs the straps of my dress, yanking them down and exposing my bra.

I let out a cry—only for a hand to slam over my mouth.

"Hurry up," someone growls. "I want my turn."

A sudden burst of light floods the alley.

Headlights.

I bite the hand covering my mouth. The guy curses and jerks back—and I scream with everything I have.

The one behind me tries to clamp his hand over my mouth again, but the car surges forward, horn blaring.

"NOTHING TO SEE HERE!" the guy in front shouts, his hand still gripping my bra.

But the car doesn't stop.

A loud bang—like a door slamming or a gun cocking—rings out, and they scatter like roaches.

One of them shoves me hard. My back hits the wall and I crumple to the ground.

Then, everything goes black.

"Carmen. CARMEN?"