“This is the best night of my life!” Debby thought, her heart pounding as she pressed her lips against her boyfriend’s.
The bass from the speakers vibrated through the floor, blending with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses as her house buzzed with the energy of her 18th birthday party. Multicolored lights flashed across the room, casting flickering shadows on the walls.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, and his hands held her waist firmly as he deepened the kiss. She had dreamed of this moment—finally turning eighteen, finally having the perfect night with the guy she loved.
But then—his phone rang.
He pulled away with a groan, pressing his forehead against hers. “Damn it,” he muttered, fishing his phone out of his pocket. His eyes lit up. “I have to take this.”
Debby pouted, pretending to be annoyed. “Really? Right now?”
“You’ll forgive me when you hear why,” he said with a grin, brushing a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. “I can’t wait to tell my parents about you tonight after the party.”
Her heart swelled. “Really?”
He nodded. “I swear. And after that, we don’t have to hide anymore.”
Debby bit her lip, trying to contain her excitement. No more sneaking around. No more secret dates. No more pretending they were just friends in public. She wanted the world to know that she, Debby Carter, was dating one of the most popular guy in school.
She smiled. “Okay, go take your call. I’ll be waiting.”
He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before disappearing into the crowd.
Debby exhaled, still feeling the warmth of his lips on her skin. Tonight was going to be perfect.
Or so she thought.
“Debby! There you are!”
She turned to see her two best friends, Susan and Chloe, weaving through the party toward her.
Susan, a petite blonde with a mischievous glint in her eyes, grabbed Debby’s wrist. “Come with us.”
Chloe, the taller of the two, smirked. “It’s time for the birthday girl to loosen up.”
Before Debby could protest, they were dragging her toward the mini bar. The scent of alcohol hit her nose, making her hesitate.
“Guys, I don’t know…” she started, but Susan rolled her eyes.
“Come on! One drink won’t kill you.”
Chloe pushed a shot glass into Debby’s hand. “It’s your birthday. Live a little.”
Debby hesitated but then thought about what her boyfriend had said. Tonight, their secret would be out. She had been so careful her whole life, so responsible. Maybe just this once, she could let go.
She tipped her head back and swallowed the burning liquid.
And then another.
And another.
Laughter bubbled from her lips as warmth spread through her veins. The music seemed louder, the lights brighter, the world around her spinning just a little.
“Where’s your mystery boyfriend, by the way?” Susan asked, nudging her playfully.
Debby blinked, her mind sluggish. “He…he was taking a call.”
Chloe raised a brow. “That was a while ago.”
Debby’s drunken haze cleared slightly as she glanced around the party. Her boyfriend had promised to dance with her. He had promised to tell everyone about them.
But he was nowhere to be found.
Her stomach twisted.
“I should go find him,” she mumbled, pushing past her friends.
Debby stumbled through the crowd, ignoring the cheers and conversations happening around her. She made her way to the spot where she and Dave had been making out earlier.
Empty.
She frowned. Where could he have gone?
She pulled out her phone and dialed his number.
A ringing sound came from nearby.
Her brows furrowed. She followed the sound, stepping toward the restroom at the end of the hall. The ringing grew louder.
She smirked.
Then, she heard a voice. A female voice that sounded so much like Rachel’s.
Debby froze, her hand gripping the doorknob.
“Why is this damn girl calling you?” Rachel’s voice was sharp, annoyed.
Debby’s heart pounded in her chest. What the hell was Rachel—the arrogant, bitchy cheerleader of the hockey team—doing with her boyfriend’s phone?
Then, Dave’s voice came.
“Don’t worry about her.”
Her breath caught.
No. No, no, no.
Her vision blurred with a mix of rage and disbelief as she yanked the door open.
The sight before her knocked the air from her lungs.
Rachel. Half-naked.
Her boyfriend. Shirtless.
Together. In the restroom. Having sex.
