Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

“Oh, joy. Rhys is going to be drunk and stoned. What a lovely combination.” Bell complains, looking basically the same as she does at school, just without the ugly navy uniform. In its place is nothing but black. Her lips are as dark as Rhys’s tonight, and her eyes are smoky with shadow. She looks hot. Shit, they all do. Even Alister, who usually looks like death, has colour in his cheeks tonight. I wonder why. Maybe he’s taken something. Or perhaps he’s just had a tumble with Dale in the bushes. I know they’re both gay, but I don’t think they are into each other. I could be wrong.

Courtesy Call by Thousand Foot Krutch blasts through the speakers, and we can’t help but start dancing right there in the backyard of the party. Most of the people here are older, maybe Uni students, since we are at Redfield, a town that basically butts up against Fox Pines in Timberland Valley. Very few people here look like they are our age. I don’t care, though. It’s better this way. No one here knows me. They don’t know my past. The only thing they have to judge me on is what I do right now.

Tonight, I’m wearing black jeans that are so tight they look like they are painted on, and I deliberately forgot to put a jacket over my red boob tube. Yep, Rhys told me to dress slutty, and while I wasn’t willing to have my legs out in this cold weather, I totally went a full 360 on the top half.

I had to wait for Ayden to leave my house earlier before I got ready. I know he means well, but if he gave me his opinion on what I can and can’t wear, then there would have been a bloodbath! Okay, slight exaggeration, but it would have pissed me off.

He had spent a good hour talking to Rhys about the seriousness of my situation. He’d made her agree to remind me to check in with him every hour and let them know addresses we go to and how we were getting to and from the party.

Ayden learnt quickly that Rhys has an answer to everything. And he also learnt that she’s a little cray-cray, which is why I adore her so much. I guess he could see that, so he eventually left us to have our fun night.

As we dance and laugh, two different joints get passed around our group, and I only take it once, not wanting to have a repeat of losing my memory or my wits. I feel so free right now. So light and happy. I know it’s a veil caused by the booze mostly, but I don’t care. These new friends of mine don’t riddle me with the self-conscious anxiety I usually get at parties. They fill me with a sense of peace and belonging.

Is this what normal feels like? If it is, then count me in.

“Incoming.” Bell deadpans, and I turn in time to see a tall, dark, decent looking guy approaching us.

“Oh, yes! Look at him, Lexi. He’s fuckable and then some. Have at it. I’ll take the next guy.” Rhys whisper shouts in my ear, letting everyone around us, including the guy, know exactly what she said.

“Hey there. I’m Andy.” He’s tall, like all guys are to me, but not as tall as Jared. Maybe a similar height to Ayden. He has the sexy facial hair that I seem to like, along his jaw just like Ayden, although now that I take a closer look, it’s patchier than Ayden’s. Scruffier looking somehow.

“Ah, hi Andy.” I’m pretty sure I have a stupid grin on my face as I look up into his brown eyes. It’s hard to tell what my face is doing. Shit, that weed must have been strong if I can’t feel my face properly. I only had one drag... didn’t I?

“You wanna grab a drink with me, ah…” Andy hesitates before leaning in a little closer, “Sorry, what’s your name?”

“Oh. I’m Alexis.” Jesus, why did I say my full name?

“A very beautiful name, for a very beautiful girl,” Andy’s eyes soften as he looks at me. Meanwhile, I fight back a cringe. He’s full of shit. He’s telling me what he thinks I want to hear, and because I’m drunk, a little stoned and horny, I’m totally going to pretend I buy it.

Ayden.

Fuck me, why am I thinking of Ayden? I need to forget about Ayden so he can move on.

“So, would you like to come and have a drink?” He’s a persistent fella.

“I’m not that thirsty, but I’ll come chat with you, anyway.” I smile at him, mostly because the weed is kicking in, and I’m pretty sure everything is going to make me smile right now.

Andy’s eyes darken, and he licks his lips before gesturing towards the house. “Let’s go then.”

For a second, I panic, but I don’t get the chance to feel its force before Rhys shoves me forward, and I stumble into Andy’s chest. His deep chuckle is close to my ear, and his arms wrap around me. Leading me onto the porch which is bathed in the shadows, he grabs a beer out of an esky and cracks the lid, taking a sip.

“So Alexis,” I cringe hearing my full name. Why did I tell him that? I’m thankful he doesn’t notice my expression in the dark. “What brings you out tonight?”

“Just wanted to have some fun.” I glance behind me. My friends are still in the middle of the yard, by the fire. Not too far away, but far enough that they can’t hear me talk. People are spilling out from the shed where the music floats out from, but over here at the back of the house, it’s quiet.

“You want to have some fun with me?” Glancing back at Andy, who is now a lot closer to me than he was a moment ago, I feel fear prickle