The night air hit me like a splash of cold water, but it wasn’t enough to sober me up completely. My head still felt light, my cheeks warm from the alcohol.
“What—” I started to ask, but then I saw him.
Jared’s grip on my wrist was firm, almost desperate, as he tugged me through the quieter side of the pavement.
“Jared, let go—” I hissed, stumbling a little in my heels.
He didn’t. His jaw was tight, eyes stormy. “Atasha, we need to talk.”
I shook my head instantly.
“N-No. Not again. I’m done talking to you.” My voice came out shaky.
He stepped closer. “I just… I want to fix things. I know I messed up, but we can—”
“Jared, stop. We were toxic. You were toxic.” I swayed slightly, hating how my body wasn’t steady. “I don’t want to go back to that.”
“Please, Ash. Just… listen to me.
