A Piece of Me

24

Elizabeth's pov

We jammed out the entire way to Colby's house, which he filled me in that it was actually called the Traphouse.

The place was packed, cars lining the streets and in the parking lot across the street. Colby's spot was left open, though.

"Let's go fuck shit up," Colby muttered to himself as I got out of the car, waiting for Colby to walk around the front of it before walking into the house.

The music was so loud it made the ground shake beneath my feet, and made my heart beat so loud I thought Colby would be able to hear it.

"Is Sam here?" I shouted over the noise as Colby took my hand, leading me through the crowd.

"Yeah, but let me introduce you to some people," He replied before stopping abruptly.

This place was hot, even without all the people in it. Now that at least two hundred people were partying only on the first floor, it bumped it up at least twenty degrees.

"What's up brother!" A stranger said to Colby, as I stood beside him, taking in their interaction. "Hey, Brennen, how've you been?" They bro-hugged before the dark haired man acknowledged me.

"Hey, who's this?" He asked, grinning over at me. I smiled back, figuring I'd be polite. "I'm Liz. It's nice to meet you,"

"I'm Brennen, but you can call me daddy," He said before winking in my direction.

"Don't talk to her like that," Colby snapped, tightening his grip on my hand.

"Whoa, sorry bro. I didn't realize you had first dibs," He still kept his smile, but shuffled closer to Colby than me.

I didn't like the way Brennen's eyes studied my own, making me feel as if there were worms slithering through my veins.

"Can we get something to drink?" I asked, my developing panic making my mouth feel like sandpaper, "We should get a drink,"

"Yeah, let's go," Colby agreed, shooting a final warning glare at Brennen before leading me to the kitchen.

Finally, two familiar faces appeared, unknowingly soothing me. Corey and Devyn, talking off to the side of the drinks.

"Hold on a second," I stood up on my tippy toes and shouted in Colby's ear, "I want to go say hi,"

He looked at me with confusion before he noticed the giggly pair.

I detached my hand from his, shuffling through the crowd that I was starting to hate.

Crowds weren't really my thing. The only reason I was here was because I love alcohol and it's Colby's house.

It was a weird concept to think about, that Colby was now my boyfriend.

Isaac made me feel unlovable, like I didn't have the capability to catch someone's eye.

I'm convinced that I need to pinch myself, and I'd wake up in Isaac's sweaty, drug-draining, crashing arms.

But that's all over now, I don't have to worry about that now that I have Colby.

"Hi Corey, Hi Devyn," I waved, and they responded likewise.

Devyn hugged me, accidentally tilting her cup too far and dripping some on my back in the process.

This made me realize that I lost my hoodie at some point, so whatever she had went onto the bare skin of my back.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry," Devyn gasped, shoving her drink into Corey's hand as she spun me around, wiping off the excess liquid.

"It's alright Devyn," I laughed, crossing my arms as I shook my head.

Colby was making his way through the crowd, holding a red solo cup and a White Claw.

We were only able to keep eye contact long enough for him to realize that there was a minor problem. What stopped it was Devyn spinning me back around.

"I got as much of it as I could," She breathed, her eyes lit with guilt, and something more.

I couldn't tell what it was until Colby came up from behind me, handing me the White Claw while he sipped from the cup.

I risked one more glance at her, realizing that she was now looking at Colby, her eyes lit with anger and that same thing as before.

Jealousy?

That didn't make sense, but it was very obviously written on her face.

I made a mental note to think about it later, popping open the tab on the White Claw and taking a huge swallow.

Without even looking at the flavor I knew it was cherry.

"Thanks," I smiled, looking up at him. He didn't reply, but wrapped his arm around me as Corey started up conversation.

"Did you guys just get here?" He asked, looking back and forth between us.

"A couple of minutes ago, sure," Colby shrugged, "You wanna sit outside?"

I noticed that he liked trying to get out of partying, or at least the crowd part of it.

"Let's go dance first," Corey suggested, slipping his hand into Devyn's, though I noticed she still looked uncomfortable as she studied Colby.

I never saw her as one to pay attention to Colby, since she was always too busy but now it was obvious.

Was she jealous of me? The look she gave Colby was very clear, like she was begging him with her eyes to let me go, like she was better.

Fuck no, he wouldn't do that. He was mine, not Devyn's. Fuck her.

I kept a smile on my face though as we went to the living room, where the music was blaring.

Colby spun me around, resting one hand on my hips as we moved in beat to the music. Corey grinned at Colby and I before leading Devyn thicker into the crowd.

I took another sip of the White Claw, tilting my head back. My head accidentally brushed against Colby's chest, and any day before today I would have immediately stepped away.

But I didn't, and Colby didn't push me away.

He only pulled me closer.

I turned around in his arms, still trying to move with the beat of the music. I grabbed Colby's drink, quickly recognizing the impaling stench of whiskey.

I took a sip, swallowing it with no facial reaction. But inside, I was buzzing.

I was electrified, and Colby was my switch.