𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘 || RAFE CAMERON

023

The beads of condensation dripped off the ice cool glass bottle, leaving Gianna's hand wet enough for her to have to dry it on her leather shorts.

She was surprised it didn't take long for Marisa to convince the Gray girl to have one of the citric, lemony Smirnoff Ices tossed in the cooler filled with ice beside them, the pleasant taste washing over her tastebuds as she took in a gulp.

Perhaps that day Gianna was feeling a little rebellious, not complying to her self-imposed rule of never drinking, that had only been broken that one kegger. Or perhaps Rafe had humiliated her enough to the point where she simply just wanted to let loose and forget about it, masking her thoughts and feelings with alcohol. Or maybe it was the sickening truth of Barry being her mother's supplier. The image of Katherine Gray pulling up to the Cut in her Porsche, freshly painted nails and Louis Vuitton sandals, knocking on Barry's trailer door made her stomach slosh around.

And for the first time in two summers, she wished there was something stronger at the gathering she was at.

She sat on the stoned ground, legs in Nate's jacuzzi, guzzling down her drink. Marisa sat next to her, gently splashing the water with her feet, unbothered by the other two dozen people around them.

Amelia suddenly approached the two, stumbling down to sit beside them. "Is this Nathaniel's definition of a 'small gathering'?" She huffed, placing her hands behind her and leaning on them.

Gianna nodded once, keeping the bottles neck up to her lips, even while she didn't actively drink from it.

There were many others circling around them, all of them Gianna knew, but wasn't bothered enough to actually get up and socialize, only sending whoever passed a small wave and smile.

She almost laughed at herself, remembering how desperate she was a month ago to get back on top and regain her title. She could care less about it now, getting slapped in the face with real problems and worries.

Like murders, for example. The guy she was sleeping with had murdered someone, and he had recently just embarrassed her and pissed her off. Didn't Rafe know about the leverage she had on him? How easily she could strut to the Sherifs office and turn him in?

It was something easy to use against him, and she could probably even blackmail him for whatever it is she wanted. Makeup, clothes, respect. Perhaps that what was what it took for Rafe to value Gianna a little more. Scare him into thinking she might actually turn him in. Call a fake number and pretend to speak to Shoupe, only to hang up before saying something genuinely compromising.

Yeah, and then Rafe pulls out a gun and shoots you before you get to dial.

But who was Gianna kidding? She could barely even order a coffee without stuttering, let alone toy with something like that.

Downing the last drop of her drink, she quickly got up, feeling the water roll down her legs, moving toward the cooler and grabbing another Smirnoff Ice. She looked around, eyes examining her surroundings for a bottle opener.

Suddenly, Alana Brock, one of Giannas friends she had lost most contact since last summer, appeared by her side, lifting up the metal contraption in her hand.

"Bottle opener?" Alana raised a brow, lips pursed.

Gianna opened her mouth to speak, surprised the unexpected encounter, but closed it again awkwardly, accepting the bottle opener with an embarrassed smile.

"Thanks," the honey blonde spoke softly, opening the Smirnoff ice and then taking two long swigs.

Alana's mouth slightly opened, surprised by Gianna's hard chugs. "Bad night, or...?"