Shattered Asylum

Chapter 72

Warning: mild mature content

I couldn't keep it up. The flirting, the forced smiles, it all felt wrong. I stopped after the first twenty minutes of trying. Now Caleb's being overly touchy, following me around like a lost puppy.

And worse? Grayson hasn't even noticed. I knew he wouldn't. Why did I think this would work? This is what I get for listening to some random girl with bad advice.

I'm so tired now. The alcohol is hitting harder than before, and I don't think I could walk straight even if I tried. Even holding onto something probably wouldn't help.

From the living room, I can see Grayson in the kitchen with Ethan and Nate, taking shot after shot, laughing at jokes I can't hear. He looks so good, the kind of good that makes my chest ache.

How did I ever think Caleb could distract me? He doesn't even come close to competing with Grayson.

Caleb's cute, sure, but every time I compare him to Grayson, he falls short. His laugh doesn't feel as good, and I'm not drawn to him the way I am to Grayson.

I'm laying on the couch now, my body feeling heavier by the second. Caleb's sitting at the edge, my legs draped over his lap.

He's rubbing my thigh, but instead of sparking anything, it just makes me wish it was Grayson's hand there.

Kristina mentioned earlier that the twins' parents got a hotel for the night... ulala, good for them. But now I'm wishing there was some kind of adult supervision here. Things feel... off.

Caleb leans over me, practically laying on top of me as he whispers in my ear. "Want to go upstairs?"

My stomach twists, every alarm in my brain going off. He doesn't move back; instead, he lays his head on my chest, wrapping his arms around me like he belongs there.

"You smell good, mmm," he murmurs, his nose brushing against my collarbone.

I widen my eyes, panic flaring. This doesn't feel good, none of this feels good.

"I'm ready for bed," I say quickly, lightly pushing him off me. My voice is shaky, but I hope he doesn't notice.

I try to stand up, but my legs give out immediately, and I fall right back onto the couch. My head spins, the room tilting around me. I rub my eyes, trying to stop seeing double, but it's no use.

I drank way too much.

I try again, forcing myself to stand, but this time Caleb grabs my arm, steadying me. His hand is firm, his laugh low and amused.

"I got you," he chuckles, wrapping his arm around my waist.

He wobbles as he shifts his weight, nearly taking me down with him. "I'm sho jrunk," I slur, the words tumbling out without thought.

I close my eyes, leaning against him, though it doesn't feel safe. Everything is dark, like my body is shutting down one sense at a time.

"Where are you going?" Bella's voice chirps from somewhere nearby. I crack my eyes open, watching her walk over to us, her expression unreadable.

"Bed," I mutter, my head lolling back involuntarily. Everything feels heavy, my head, my limbs, even my eyelids.

"Not before a hug," Bella insists, swooping in and pulling me into her arms. I barely register it, too drunk to do more than slump against her.

Her breath brushes my ear as she leans in, her voice a low, sultry whisper. "This will get his attention."

Before I can process what she means, her lips crash against mine. Her tongue pushes past my parted lips, hot and insistent, tasting like alcohol and something too sweet. My brain lags, foggy and slow, my body barely able to catch up with what's happening.