Over the next hour or so, another dozen people come in until the place is pleasantly full. The music is louder now, and I’m glad we ate some pizza when we first got here because it’s pretty much gone. Somebody offers to go out for more and starts getting money together from interested people who didn’t get a chance to eat, but Piper and I both shake our heads.

“If all college parties are this laid back, I can see going to more of them,” Piper admits while the two of us stand back, watching a game of beer pong taking place out on the balcony. It’s a little tricky because sometimes the ball bounces off into the parking lot, but whoever brought the supplies has a bag of what looks like hundreds.

“Wanna play?” somebody calls out to us, holding up a red cup before draining it and crunching it in their fist.

“No, thanks.” I laugh, shaking my head, and Piper does the same.

“You don’t like playing beer pong? It’s actually pretty fun, you know.” I look up to find Trevor standing beside me, and he grins. “If you don’t mind drinking out of a cup that has a dirty ball floating in it.”

“Which is exactly why I’m not interested.”

“But it’s alcohol. Alcohol cleans things, right?”

“He sort of has a point,” Piper tells me with a giggle.

“See? She knows what I’m talking about. Loosen up a little. You would actually enjoy it.”

It happens so fast. An arm slides around my waist from behind. “How about you mind your own business and don’t talk to my girl?”

So many things happen at once. Piper gasps. Trevor backs up a step. And I freeze solid because I know that voice. I’ve heard it every night in my dreams.

I shove his arm away from me and spin on my heel to glare up at Colt, who has the nerve to sneer down at me like I belong to him. He’s here. Why is he here? “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demand. I don’t care who hears or if anybody gets the wrong idea. I’m too shocked, too flustered, and too damn angry. When will enough be enough? Why can’t he leave me alone?

“What do you think? I couldn’t reach you on your phone, so I had to come and see if you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, obviously. Now get the hell out of here!”

Trevor clears his throat behind me. “Do you need help with this asshole?”

Colt goes from sneering at me to glaring at him over the top of my head. “Back the fuck up, pal. You don’t know what’s happening here.”

“Don’t I? Because it seems pretty fucking clear she wants you to go away.”