All Chapters of The Consumed Series: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I cross the gym's parking lot and pull on the big door, but it doesn't budge. I frown and peer through the glass. No one. Strange. Dad never closes early. I use the spare gym key hanging from my car's keyring and unlock the door. Dad gave me the spare key to come and go whenever I please, even if it's closed. I guess today is one of those days. Stepping inside, I lock the door behind me and make a mental note to call him when I'm finished. I turn around and shout, clasping my hand over my chest as my heart leaps into my throat. At least eight pairs of eyes are on me, curiously watching from beside the big boxing ring. I spot my father at the front of the group as he smiles and waves. I offer a pathetic wave back and my attention immediately sweeps to the man in the center of the ring.Seth. Sweating and panting, his skin glistens like it did in my mind all night. I swallow hard and my knees tremble at the sight. Seth's lips quirk and my cheeks heat up under his amused gaze. He looks

I wake up to the excruciating sensation of shards of glass stabbing at my eyeballs, then the headache kicks in, slamming at my temples like a battering ram. My brain pounds relentlessly in my skull and I wince as it embeds in my eye sockets. I swallow and groan. I'm never drinking again. I smack my lips together and press my dry tongue to my palate. What the hell happened last night? Alcohol. Clubs. Puking.I roll off my bed and lift my heavy body on my tired legs. My knees waver under the pressure, but they don't give out. I've never felt so weak. Exhaling, I straighten my posture, and my stomach quivers. I feel like death, like I should climb back in bed and sleep until next week, but I don't. I need to find Selena. I hobble to the door and unhang my robe from the back of it. Slipping into it, I fasten the belt around my waist and make my way to the kitchen. A soft snore hums through the air, coming from my couch. I cut my eyes in its direction as I saunter into the kitchen and r

I glance at the clock, hating the second hand as it keeps ticking, dragging me closer to six-thirty. I sniffle, rest my head on my fist, and turn the page of a book I'm not paying attention to. Since I got home, I've sat here, in my pastel pink pajamas, my stomach tied in knots at the thought of him showing up to take me to dinner. I lick my parched lips and shake my head, forcing myself to focus on the small words neatly printed onto the cream paper of the book I hold in my hands. I've read Outlander a million times, but this is the first time I find myself not being engrossed by the story.All I can think about is the fact that any second now, Seth's going to bang on my door and-knock knock. I startle, straightening my spine as my heart plummets deep into my abdomen. He's here. Another rap of firm knuckles against the door pulls me off my couch. I toss my book against the cushion, tuck my long brunette hair behind my ears, and stride toward the front door. I've already imagined how

All the frustrated glares I get from families of four are quickly ruining my night. I agree that the four-person table I'm sitting at by the large bay window is excessive for my party of two, but all the two-seaters are taken. It's not my fault the waiter sat me here. Since I don't plan on staying long, I would've been happier sitting at the bar.The other half of this blind date hasn't shown up yet, and he better because if I'm stood up by someone I haven't met, I will drive off a bridge and end it all. I finish the thought as a blond man wearing boot-cut denim jeans and a formal, light gray shirt approaches the table. The top two buttons of his shirt are open, exposing his light chest hair. He's tall-taller than Seth who I estimate to be at least six-foot-three."Are you Selena?" he asks, his lips pulling into a wide and wolfish grin.I smile politely and adjust uncomfortably in my seat. "No, Selena couldn't make it. I'm her friend, Olivia."I hold out my hand to shake his. He grips

The thunderous noise of laughter and conversation fills the arena and bangs on my eardrums. Energy pulsates through the crowd and vibrates through every physical object in the place. I can't deny the adrenaline in my blood and the excitement on my skin as it overcomes me in surges. I can't pretend it doesn't feel good. It does. It feels incredible. I shiver. I skim my gaze over the fenced ring in the center of the room. Hoisted a few feet off the floor, its lower limbs shrouded in advertising and sponsor logos, it stands proud and strong, ready to withstand anyone who enters. "Still can't believe that gross pig groped you," Selena grumbles as we shuffle between people, trying to get to our seats. I grunt my agreement, wanting to drop the subject forever, and clench my small, leather handbag to my side. A ruckus of five men storm past in a waft of expensive cologne and inked flesh. "Thank god for Seth." I glance over my shoulder at her. Her hungry eyes are glued to the group as they