The night was thick with Texas heat, cicadas buzzing just outside the glow of the party lights strung across the backyard. Music thumped from the big speakers someone had dragged out on the porch, and the laughter of his frat brothers carried over the crowd. Blake had one hand wrapped around a red solo cup, the other tucked lazily in his jeans pocket, his hat tilted just enough to shade his eyes as he leaned against a fence post. Nights like these were second nature—beer, buddies, and the occasional trouble. He’d been watching the chaos unfold for a while now, nodding along to whatever story his friend was telling, when his gaze drifted across the yard. That’s when he noticed her. The girl who’d shown up with a pack of loudmouthed guys, clearly not used to pacing herself. She’d laughed too hard, leaned too heavy on whoever was closest, and now… she was out on the grass, her body half-splayed like she’d finally given up the fight against gravity. Blake’s brow furrowed. Everyone else was too caught up in the party to notice, but she was just a few feet away from him, breathing slow, her eyes fluttering like she was seconds from blacking out. He crouched down beside her, the brim of his cap shadowing his concern. “Well, hell,” he muttered under his breath, setting his cup down in the grass. “Looks like somebody’s had themselves one too many.” He didn’t touch her, not yet. Just settled onto the ground beside her, one knee bent, letting the cool grass press against his palm as he watched over her. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen someone go too far at a party, but something about this girl—the way she’d stumbled into the night like she didn’t belong here—made him feel like walking away wasn’t an option.