Blue | Rafe Cameron

xv

"I can't believe that you dragged me here," I groaned, distastefully surveying the mansion house overflowing with drunken, dancing Kooks. "There are literally a million other placed I'd rather be."

Sarah grinned and grabbed my hand, pulling me further into the room. Her brown eyes shone under the fluorescent lights, and I could sense her excitement. "You had no plans tonight, and you did say you needed a good time."

She twirls on her heels, her sundress fanning around her long, tan legs, cinched in at her slim waist. "Welcome to a good time!" she smirks, hands on either side of her, her back to the party.

But I frowned at her, looking over her shoulder at the revellers. When my expression doesn't soften, she rolls her eyes, grabbing my arm and happily yanking me along.

"I'll stay for thirty minutes," I grudgingly concede "And if, by some miracle, I don't pluck out my eyeballs by then, I will be leaving."

We approached the drinks table, where beers, red cups, and bowls of fruit punch littered the surface. I watch as Sarah scoops some of the ominous liquid into a red solo cup, but I snatch it out of her hand and pour it back into the bowl, scowling.

"What's up with you?" Sarah raises a brow, laughing in confusion as she glances at me.

"Don't drink from the communal punch bowls, Sarah," I say, leaning in closer to her so she could hear me over the music. "This might be a Kook party, but even they will spike the punch and then drag an unconscious girl off into a dark room. The difference is they have good lawyers to keep their sheet clean."

"Got it," Sarah nods solemnly, and I smile appreciatively when she hands me a closed beer can. I don't hesitate to crack it open, the hiss a satisfying tingle over my skin. Sarah does the same, and in tandem we salute, taking a long sip from the can.

The bittersweet taste ran down my throat and burned, but I enjoyed the sensation, nonetheless.

I bring the can down from my lips, cringing at the harsh aftertaste. I turn on my heel, leaning against the side wall as I looked over the crowds. I couldn't help but think about the Kook party I attended, where I confronted Elena Reedsy, fought with Rafe, and ended up taking care of him.

I narrowed my eyes instinctively, focusing on the furthest part of the living area where crowds of girls and boys gathered around the sofas and tables. I saw flashes of money in between the moving bodies, grins lining each person's face as they handed over their cash in exchange for a familiar white packet.

"Is this all Kooks do at parties?" I snort, glancing at Sarah, who smirks into her can, her eyes shining with amusement as she took a long sip of her drink. "I guess when your rich and bored, snorting lines and swaying on your feet like a crackhead is great vibes-"

But my words die out in my throat as I see him.

"Oh, crap" Sarah whispers, placing down her can and turning to me with a grimaced frown.

"That's Rafe, what the fuck- "I gasp, taking him in as he grins like a Cheshire cat, hordes of cash in his hands. Something in me goes cold at the sight of the white bags he pulls out of his pocket, handing them over to a group of girls.

Customers, I realize.

"Did you know? I mean, what, why would he-?" I stare at her, breathless and in disbelief.

"No, I didn't know it was like this, but- "She sighs, rubbing her face in frustration "I knew something was off with him, he's been acting strange lately, but I never would have thought it was this."

I could feel my emotions rising, but I tried my best to maintain my composure as I turned my gaze back towards Rafe.

I force myself not to flinch as our eyes meet.