Chapter 21 WHAT'S MY PRIZE?
MERRIELYNN.
I turned away from Cormac and Juniper’s public display, feeling a sourness bubbling inside me that I was trying hard to push aside.
The catcalling and whispers surrounded me like an unwelcome fog, and I shook my head, feeling a wave of disgust. How do some people even thrive on this kind of attention?
I needed a distraction, and my feet just moved on their own, leading me to the kitchen.
I felt Emorie trailing behind me, but I didn’t stop until I spotted a free keg. I grabbed a cup and filled it to the brim, the frothy liquid sloshing over the edge as I took a deep breath, trying to block out the noise of the party and the chaos in my head.
I’d barely ever drank before. But it the few times I did, I knew what it felt like.
Knew that I liked it.
Knew that that buzz was effective enough to kill whatever nauseating thoughts that were creeping up on me.
Whatever horrible, despicable feelings and emotions that were forcefully barging their way into my subconscious .
“Mere, you okay?” Emorie’s voice broke through, and I could hear the concern in her voice, but I forced a smile and raised my cup slightly.
“Just needed a drink,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. I avoided her gaze, not wanting her to see the emotions burning in my eyes. I didn’t even know what was wrong with me, so I didn’t want her asking.
I’ll be fine, I thought to myself, drawing in another deep breath.
I filled Emorie’s cup as well and was about to take another sip from mine when I heard someone say, “The good stuff’s all on the second floor.”
We both turned to see Valtor leaning casually against the counter.
He tilted his cup at me and said, “It’s nice seeing you again so soon.” Then he added with a smirk, “At least this time you’re actually getting lit at the party and not––” he mocked a pondering look before ending with, “––what can I say, looking for alcohol-free vodka?”
His joke pulled a genuine smile from me, pulling me out of my negative funk just a little.
Guess that’s my first real smile since I got here.
I didn’t even know why I was feeling off, but as I scanned the room, my mind raced, alert for any sign of Cormac. If I spotted him, I’d need the nearest exit to escape at breakneck speed. He had warned me to stay away from Valtor, and while I didn’t care what he wanted at this point, I wasn’t about to let him ruin the night for me any further.
I brought my attention back to the present and that’s when I noticed Em glancing between us with a weird look, so I quickly explained, “I met Valtor at the football game.”
Valtor jumped in, “I’ve seen you around,” he said, staring at Emorie, then pointed at her suddenly like he just remembered something. “You’re always walking around with that Eale kid, am I right?”
Emorie smiled tightly, and then replied, “Tobias, yes. He’s my friend.”
Valtor’s brows shot up. “And he’s my future beta. We’re all friends here, then.” With that, he draped his arms across Emorie and my shoulders, leading us out of the kitchen. “How about a game of pool?” he asked, turning to me with that lopsided grin of his.
I took a long sip of my drink, feeling the burn at the back of my throat as I muttered, “I don’t think I know how to play pool.”
We reached the living area, and Valtor grinned, saying, “It’s fine. You just need a victor.”
A victor?
What the hell was a victor?
I glanced at Emorie in confusion.
He pulled away from us, letting his hands drop from our shoulders as he walked closer to the pool table, reaching over the rack and picking up a cue stick.
I watched him walk away, wondering what he was on about. Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood to play any games. Hell, I wasn’t in the mood for anything. Thanks to someone, I thought as I glanced around the room, wondering where he might be.
Valtor’s voice suddenly cut through the noise as he shouted into the room, “I need a volunteer to play against me! You’re gonna be the new girl’s victor.”
"Ooh," Emorie exclaimed.
Attention gathered as people pulled away from whatever they were doing, inching closer or glancing at the pool table area. I doubted anyone would step up for me, and… did I even want anyone to?
But then a deep voice cut in through the growing murmurs of the crowd, “I’ll be her victor.”
My heart clenched hard as I followed Valtor’s line of vision, and I turned to see Cormac on the other side of the room.
His girlfriend was pressed against him as he met my stare, and that familiar feeling of discomfort washed over me once more.
He turned to Juniper, giving her a quick peck on the lips and a playful smack on her ass before pulling away.
I looked away, my cheeks burning with a mix of second hand embarrassment.
Valtor pointed the cue stick at me, glancing over at Cormac, and asking with raised brows, “You want to play on her behalf?”
Cormac shrugged as he strode over and pulled out a stick for himself, replying, “That’s what I said, no?”
Valtor suddenly grinned wide and nodded, “Alright then. Your funeral.”
But all Cormac did was return a smaller grin of his own.
Show-off, I thought with an eye roll.
I couldn’t help but wonder why he always had to stick his nose in my business. He just loved meddling, huh? Or was it just his ridiculous need to always be the center of attention?
The game kicked off, and people gathered around the table, transforming the party into a pool match with dozens of spectators.
The intensity of the game built as neither Valtor nor Cormac seemed to have the upper hand.
That was until Valtor finally sank a ball for the umpteenth time.
Cormac rose to his full height, a small smile teasing the corners of his mouth. I stood straighter, wondering how the game felt like it had lasted hours but could only have just been a few minutes.
I eyed Cormac, pondering how he had won, but then Valtor suddenly said, “So, new girl, wanna hear what I want?”
I pulled my eyes away from Cormac to glance at Valtor in confusion.
It hit me then that Cormac had lost.
Wow…
I stood frozen, while fighting the urge to glance at Cormac again.
I turned to Valtor instead and took a deep breath before asking, “What do you want?”
He smiled brightly, and I caught the subtle way he glanced over at Cormac before declaring, “I want you to give me a kiss.”