There was no doubt in my mind that I had screwed up—I’d overreacted. The guy at the party had been obnoxiously grabby, but I had overreacted. I’d let the past distort what had been really happening. I’d panicked and Cam almost got into a fight over it.

I pressed my forehead against my knees, pulling my hair back. I couldn’t do it. I’d tried and I had turned a good time into an epic fail. What was wrong with me?

There were several valid answers to that—a lot was wrong. Not breaking news there but this… I had wanted so badly for tonight to be good, for tonight to be that extra push in the right direction, whatever direction that was.  A sob rose and I clamped my jaw shut until my molars ached. Instead, I was here, back to where I started.

#

The throbbing in my head had increased until it felt like the entire apartment was pounding right along with it. Wincing, I opened my eyes and realized I was where I’d sat down, in the hall and my entire body ached. I’d fallen asleep, maybe for an hour or two.

And the thumping wasn’t just in my head—it was on my door.

I pushed off the floor, hurrying to the door in a haze. I was so out of it I didn’t even check to see who it was.

Cam barreled through the door and I was against his chest before I processed what was happening. Strong arms swept around me and his hand came up, cradling the back of my head. I inhaled deeply, drawing in the faint scent of cologne and alcohol.

“Jesus Christ,” he said, his hand fisting in my hair. “Why haven’t you answered your damn phone?”

“I left my phone in the car, I think.” My voice was muffled against his chest.

He swore again as he pulled back. His hands went to my cheeks, holding me in place in a way that didn’t trigger dark memories. “I’ve been blowing up your phone—so have Jacob and Brittany.”

“I’m sorry.” I blinked slowly. “I didn’t—”

“You’ve been crying.” His eyes narrowed until only a thin strip of blue showed in both. “You’ve been fucking crying.”

“No, I haven’t.” The lie sounded lame.

“Have you looked in the mirror?” he demanded. When I shook my head, he dropped his hands and closed the door behind him. He then took my hand. A muscle ticked along his jaw and when he spoke his voice was hard. “Come on.”

I let him pull me into the hallway bathroom. When he flipped on the overhead light, I winced and then I saw myself in the mirror.  “Oh God…”