I have no doubt he means it.

“And you’ll pay for what you did,” I snap back at him.

Shaking Colt off my shoulders, I spin around and push past them. Speed walking through the house, I slide open the back door and make my way over the deck and past the pool. The sound of heavy footfalls following me only makes my legs move faster.

I’m so focused on getting away from the guys that I don’t notice Deborah in the midst of the people I pass. By the time I do, it’s already too late.

Her body slams into me, her elbow digging into my ribs as she shoves me toward the edge of the pool. My bare foot slides over the wet tile until there is nothing below anymore.

All I can do is twist my body midair, so I won’t face-plant into the water. I hit the surface on my back. Pain radiates from my back through the rest of my body, making me regret turning in the first place. I should have gone headfirst.

Holding my breath as I go under, I curl up in agony. Cool water engulfs me as I sink to the bottom of the pool. Even through the water, I can hear laughter from above, and for a moment, I wonder if I could just stay here forever. I could close my eyes, let the darkness eat me up, and stop breathing forever. Would anyone care? Would someone even miss me?

Fuck them.

Shaking the morbid thought away, I kick my legs and push through the water until I break the surface. I suck in a deep breath and ignore the laughter coming from the rest of the party. I swim to the other end of the pool and lift myself out of the water. Without another look back, I walk to the truck and sit down on the other side of it, where no one can see me.

With my back against the large tire, I wrap my arms around my torso. I’m soaking wet. The thin dress I’m wearing is completely useless in keeping me warm. It doesn’t take long for me to start shivering.

I play with the thought of just starting to walk home when I hear Colt and Nix approaching. I push myself up off the ground just as they come into view. I don’t need to be on the floor, cowering at their feet when they get here.

Neither one of them says a word. They simply unlock the truck and climb in. I get into the back seat, hoping to ruin the leather with the pool water dripping off me.

We’re about halfway home when Nix breaks the silence. “You know if you tell anyone about tonight, all the people at the party will say you’re lying.”