Chapter 17 I never imagined going to a party would be the way it was . I had attended a few in high school , but it wasnt ever my scene . So when I followed Rachel into the massive fraternity house , I was in shock . There had to have been a hundred people here , and the smell of sweat and beer lingered in the air . No wonder I never came . Scrunching my nose , I moved through the bodies following Rachel towards the back where drinks lingered , and the music blared . I am so glad you came out tonight ! Rachel exclaimed as she poured us a drink . Yeah , me too . I really needed to get away from all the male testosterone at the house . Its become overbearing . I giggled , causing her to laugh . Where are the girls ? Rachel shrugged her shoulders , looking around , I dont know . They said they would meet us here . Looking around , I attempted to search for them but quickly gave up because my eyes landed on a figure I hadnt expected to see- Ryan . His hands were wrapped around a pretty blonde , and she was giggling at the way he leaned in and kissed her neck . My heart sank at that moment , and the urge to throw up was real . I couldnt believe that he would come on to me the way he did and then turn around and throw me away like I was nothing . Rachels eyes followed mine , and when she saw what I did , she touched my arm . Dont Emily . He is a complete ass hole . Dont let him ruin your night . Oh , Im not . I snarled before downing my drink in one go and pouring myself another . Whoa ! Rachel laughed , I thought you said you werent going to really drink ? 5.36 % Meno As I looked at him again , I noticed his eyes on me and a look of shock on his face . Yeah , well , I guess I changed my mind . Lifting the cup back , I downed it , not breaking eye contact with him , and then held it up in salute before pouring another . Lets go dance . Turning , I made my way through the crowd back into the house and into where everyone was grinding and dancing on each other . Rachel swayed to the beat with me , and before I knew it , the alcohol took hold of me , and I lost myself to the music . The warm fuzzy sensation running through my body helped me to forget about why I had been upset in the first place . I no longer cared what anyone had to say or what they thought . At some point , Bree and Sophie had found us , and Rachel quickly filled them in on what was wrong with me . Dont let him get to you ! Bree yelled over the music , causing me to laugh . Oh , Im not . Grabbing a tall , built body , I pulled it close to me and smiled up at his hazel eyes . I wasnt sure who he was , but he didnt seem to care either , and he held onto me with a firm grip . He wasnt Ryan or even one of the others , but at that moment , thats what I wanted . Someone to help me forget about the way those four men made me feel . Get the fuck off her . Someone said as a growl resonated through the living room , causing others to stop and stare at what was going on . Looking up , I found Ryan eyes and his disappointed stare at what I was doing . Is there a problem? I asked him with irritation and confusion . Seriously , Emily ? His reply was sarcastic , lets go . Its time to leave . Look man , she is having fun . Leave her alone . The guys I was dancing with said , causing Ryan to glare at him again and growl . Take your hands off her right now , or I will personally beat you within an inch of your life . The guy quickly did as he said and lifted his hands in the 5214 air in defense . Aint no bitch worth a beating , Fucking take her , man . All it took was the guy to call me a bitch , and before I knew it , the guy was lying on the floor with a busted lip . Disrespect her again ! Ryan yelled , causing me to jump back in shock before his eyes turned back to me . Lets go … now . As I looked towards Rachel , her own eyes were wide , and confusion filled me . Ryan , however , wasnt planning on giving me any more time to think about it . He hoisted me over his shoulder once more and carried me out of the frat house and back towards my car . Ryan put me down ! I yelled at him , you dont get to do this ! Go back to that blonde whore you were talking to , and let me have my fun . Ryan quickly dropped me to my feet , pressing me against the passenger side of my car . Shut your mouth , and get in the damn car , Emily . I had never seen this side to Ryan before , and he was beyond furious with me and what happened tonight . The entire drive back to the house was silent , but as soon as the car was parked , I jumped out , slamming the door behind me as I marched myself back towards my cottage in a drunken state . Emily ! Ryan yelled after me as I continued to ignore him . A night that was supposed to be fun and stress free turned into a shit show . Opening the door to my cottage , I went to close it and came to face with Ryan , who pushed his way into my place once again . Would you stop and listen to me ? He asked . Why , Ryan ? I was having fun , and you just had to ruin it . with that piece of s h t ?! He exclaimed in anger . He would have used you and threw you away like you were nothing ! So what! What if I just wanted that one time release ! No. The growl that left him had his eyes turning gold once more . You will 5.29 % Zepter 17 not let another man touch you . Get 5 > Menu Are you listening to yourself ? You dont have the right to dictate to me what I can and cant do . All the emotions of what was happening let tears build up and slowly stream down my face in frustration . There are things I cant explain to you , and trust me , I wish I could . It would make things so much easier … A sigh left his lips as he ran his fingers through his hair as if fighting internally with himself on what he was supposed to do . Just tell me . Whats going on ? I pleaded with him wanting to understand . I cant , Emily . He mumbled , I wish I could , but I cant .. I couldnt understand why they were treating me the way they were. None of it made sense , and the more and more I tried to understand , the worse it made me feel . You cant or wont ? I know I am nothing but a stuid southern b it c h with no sense of life to you and your brothers , but you have no idea how wrong you are . Emily , dont . We dont think that . The concern and confusion on his face sat deep within me . Then kiss me … kiss me , Ryan . Or leave . Hesitation sat between us , and I waited for him to kiss me , but instead , I saw him back up towards the door , and a little piece of me broke . Thats what I thought … Shaking my head , I sighed , letting the tears stream down my face , f u ck it … His reply caught me off guard , and before I knew it , his lips were on mine . The heated passion between us blew my mind , and I didnt want it to stop . → Ryan made me feel a flow of emotions I didnt know were real , and at that moment , I never wanted them to stop . In "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" by CrushReel, Zoe Hale takes a daring step by marrying Ashton Cross, a man under suspicion for her sister's mysterious demise. As their relationship evolves, hidden truths unravel, intertwining love and suspense in this captivating romance novel. Exploring the complexities of loyalty and deception, the story delves deep into Zoe's quest for justice while navigating the unexpected twists of her heart. The enigmatic bond between Zoe and Ashton unfolds against a backdrop of secrets and revelations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page. Set in a blend of romance and drama, "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" stands out for its intricate character dynamics and the seamless fusion of passion and intrigue. With every chapter, CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that immerses readers in a world where love confronts darkness, leaving them yearning for more. Discover the enthralling saga of Zoe and Ashton, available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in this unique tale that defies conventions and promises an unforgettable literary experience.