“Eliot, you brought her here?” Rio shouts over the music and I turn to find him already grinning at me. “Hey girl. You look terrified.”
“Why should she be?” Eliot shoots back immediately, shifting slightly in front of me like he’s drawing a line. “I’m right here with her.”
“I bet she’s scared,” Johnny adds.
“I’m not,” I say quickly, stepping forward even though my legs feel a little unsteady and the room still feels too loud, too bright, too everything. My glasses aren’t even helping anymore, but I can still make out other girls here—clustered with the guys, so at least it’s not just me. That helps a little.
“Are you not?” Rio tilts his head, still grinning. “Do you even remember our names, or do you just feel safe around any guy you meet?”
Kaz, who has his arm loosely around a girl,
