Two hours later, I’m sitting in Sawyer’s car wearing more makeup and less clothes than I ever have in public before.
Tipping my head, I check to make sure my boobs haven’t popped out of the lacey black halter-top I borrowed from my aunt.
Since Crystal and Sawyer couldn’t come to an agreement regarding leather pants versus a miniskirt, I opted for a pair of my tight-fitting jeans.
“I have an extra sweater in my back seat, do you want it?”
“No thanks. I’m good.”
I’m not fidgeting because I’m cold, it’s my nerves. Britney’s more pissed than ever since I tried to get her in trouble, so there’s no telling how she’ll react or what she’ll do when she sees me.
I pull out my phone and text Oakley for the tenth time tonight.
As usual, it goes unanswered.
Sawyer sighs. “It’s after eleven. I have to be home by one-thirty. We should probably head in without him.”
I grab my purse off the floor. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
“Wait.” She squints as she peers through her windshield. “I think that’s him. He’s parked a few cars down from us. Talking to some guy.”
I follow her line of sight, and sure enough, Oakley’s in his car having what looks like a very tense conversation with someone I can’t recall ever seeing before.
I open my door. “Let’s go.”
Sawyer follows behind as I scurry down the street to where he’s parked.
He’s so sidetracked he doesn’t see us approach.
I knock on his window. “Hey. Remember me?”
He rolls his window down and curses. “My bad. I forgot. I’ll meet you in a few.”
The guy next to him diverts his attention from Oakley to me. The threatening look in his eyes as he looks me up and down makes me inwardly shiver.
“Who’s this?”
I don’t know what to make of Oakley’s expression. “No one. Just a friend.”
Yeah, Oakley’s definitely not acting like his strange, easy-going self.
I’m not sure what the deal is with the two of them, but I don’t like it one bit.
I fold my arms across my chest. “I’m his cousin.” I raise an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?”
Oakley tenses. “No. Go inside. I’ll catch up with you in a little while.”
Sawyer tugs on my elbow. “Come on. We can go wait in my car until he’s finished.”
Begrudgingly, I follow her lead.
“What do you think that was about?” Sawyer asks as we get back into her van.
“I honestly have no idea.”
“Maybe that’s who he gets his weed from?”
I shake my head. “Doubtful. I was with him when he used a fake ID and picked some up at a smoke shop the other night.”
Shooting my gaze up the road to where he is, I watch their exchange.
Oakley’s doing most of the talking and he’s using his hands a lot, like whatever he’s saying has him riled up.
The other guy sits stoic with a grim expression.
That is until he leans over the center console and whispers something in Oak’s ear.
Oakley nods solemnly and the hand around his steering wheel flexes then clenches before he closes his eyes.
“I wonder if…” Sawyer starts to say until she stops herself. “Never mind.”
“What?”
If Sawyer has a theory on what might be transpiring here, I’m all ears.
“Do you think maybe…” Her voice trails off and she draws in a breath. “Do you think he might be…gay?”
To say I’m thrown would be an understatement. “The guy he’s with? Or Oakley?”
She picks at her cuticles. “I don’t know…both? I’m probably wrong, but your cousin and Hayley were practically attached at the hip last year, and now it’s like she doesn’t even exist. He’s also way more stoned than he used to be…as if he’s trying to escape from whatever is bothering him.” She shrugs. “I’m probably reading too much into it.”
I think about her theory. It’s not entirely out of the question. “No. You might be onto something. I caught him watching porn once, but his eyes were closed, so he wasn’t really watching it, you know? It was basically background noise—and if my ex is anything to go on—that’s not normal for guys.” I sit up straight. “He also didn’t object to or deny the rumor Jace started about us hooking up.”
I watch as the guy gets out of Oakley’s car and jogs to another one farther down the street. Oakley watches him the whole time. Almost like he misses him already. “They had a moment before. The guy whispered something to him, and Oakley looked like whatever he said hurt.”
Sawyer’s eyes widen. “Oh my God, you’re right. Not to mention, that guy didn’t like you very much, but he relaxed when you said you were his cousin. Maybe he’s upset Oakley’s pretending to be something he’s not and he was afraid you were his new beard.” Sawyer clutches her chest. “Look—Oakley’s watching him drive off. He can’t keep his eyes off him.” She sighs. “They’re like star-crossed lovers. A modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Only…Romeo and Romeo.” Her face falls. “He’s obviously scared to come out. We have to be there for him, Dylan. He has to know he has people who will love and support him no matter what his sexuality is.”
I agree. “Yeah, definitely. I mean, we’re family.” My heart sinks. “He said something about his dad not caring about other people’s happiness the other day. Maybe he tried to tell my uncle, and he refused to support him. But he doesn’t need Wayne’s support. He has me. And you.”
Her voice wobbles. “We won’t turn our backs on him.”
We’re so wrapped up in our conversation we both jump when Oakley knocks on the window.
“You guys ready to blow this popsicle stand?”
Sawyer and I exchange a glance as we exit her van.
Then, before I can talk myself out of it, I wrap my arms around him. “I know we didn’t start off on the right foot, but I need you to know I’m here for you.”
Oakley freezes. “Uh. Thanks.”
I hug him tighter. “I mean it, Oak. We’re family. Whatever you’re going through, I’ve got your back. You’re not alone.”
Sawyer joins our group hug. “I’m here for you, too.” She points to the sky. “And so is he. God loves all his children.”
Oakley’s mouth drops open. “What the fuck are you two smoking, and can I please have some?”
“We just want you to know how much we support you,” Sawyer says before she looks at me and mouths, ‘He’s not ready yet.’
I nod. We can’t push him. He’ll come out whenever he feels the time is right.
And we’ll be here for him when he does.
Oakley clears his throat. “As nice as this little love fest is, there’s a bottle of whiskey with my name on it inside.”
His eyes are trained on me as we all break apart. “Nice shirt.”
My mind flits back to the closet and the suggestion he made about me needing to make a trip to Victoria’s Secret. Perhaps he enjoys going there himself?
“Thanks. Maybe, we can go shopping sometime?”
“Dylan,” Sawyer hisses. “Don’t stereotype him.”
Crap, she’s right. “I’m so sorry. It’s totally cool if shopping isn’t your thing. We can do whatever you want.”
He pops the collar of his shirt. “I mean, I do have a dope sense of fashion.” He slings an arm around my shoulders and another one around Sawyer’s, leading us to the Mediterranean-style villa that’s bumping house music. “But we can talk more about that later. First, let me give you two the run down. Some skeevy dudes are here, so always make and pour your own drinks. If you set it down, leave it and make another one. Christian stocks enough booze to keep a third world country drunk for months.”
I’m not a drinker, but good to know.
“People fuck on the second floor. If a bedroom door is closed, take it somewhere else or wait your turn for a free one.” He pauses. “Also, don’t drink the punch.”
Sawyer swivels her head to look at him. “Because it’s spiked?”
“No,” Oakley answers with a grin. “Because Cole once got so drunk, he thought it was a urinal.”
“Gross,” Sawyer says, echoing my thoughts.
He laughs to himself as we approach the entrance. “Nah. He kept calling it the golden nectar of the gods and daring people to take a sip. It was funny as fuck…until a few chicks fell for it and asked why it was warm and tasted funny.” His eyebrows dance. “Then it was hysterical.”
Sawyer and I exchange another appalled glance as he turns the knob.
The moment Oakley opens the front door, it’s utter pandemonium.
There’s a monsoon of people in various areas of the house, and everyone we pass has a red Solo cup in their hands.
To the right of us, some people are dancing and having a good time, while others are trying to dance and having a terrible time.
A few couples are fighting…others are making out on whatever surface they can find.
I can tell Sawyer is even more overwhelmed than I am because her jaw damn near hit the floor the second we walked in.
“Is it always like this?” she questions.
“What?” Oakley shouts above the music as he makes a beeline for a table full of liquor.
“I said, is it always like this?”
Oakley splashes a generous helping of amber liquid in a cup. “Sometimes. It dies down a little as the night goes on. You’ll see.”
Sawyer takes an empty cup from the stack and peruses the table. “Is there anything here with an alcohol percentage under five?”
Oakley takes a long swig before reaching for the whiskey again. “Fuck if I know.”
I spot a half-empty bottle of soda hidden behind a pitcher and grab it. “Here.”
After taking a cautious whiff, she fills up two cups. “So what should we do now? To be honest, I’m already kind of bored.”
She hands me one of the cups and I take a sip. “Me too. Not to mention, the music sucks.”
Oakley rolls his eyes. “That’s because you’re both sober.”
Sawyer holds up her keys. “That’s because I’m driving.”
Oakley looks at me. “What’s your excuse?”
I’d like to stay alert and oriented in a house where most of the people I know are my enemies.
“Just not a big drinker,” I settle on.
“Yo,” a deep voice bellows from across the room.
I don’t miss the way Sawyer cringes as he walks up to our circle.
“Yup, this party officially blows.”
Evidently my friend is not a fan of Cole Covington.
Can’t say I blame her. The star quarterback might be beautiful, but he’s obnoxious and cocky as hell.
It also hurts to look at him, because he’s a walking apparition of his twin.
A cruel glimmer at a future that will never be.
A sad reminder of what once was.
I’m not sure how Cole—or Jace and his family—cope with it.
“What’s the matter, Dylan?” Those sharp green eyes of his glare daggers at me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
For once, I’m rendered speechless.
Sawyer isn’t, though. “Lay off her, Covington.”
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite nerd.” His face lights up in a mocking grin as he takes her in. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Are you sure you’re not lost, sweetness?” Leaning in, he tilts his beer bottle toward the exit. “Bible study is down the road.”
Crossing her arms, she stares him down. “Please. You wouldn’t know a study group if it slapped you upside the head and crawled up your ass.”
He licks the tip of his beer bottle suggestively. “Oh, baby. I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
Her face scrunches in disgust. “God, you’re such a pig.”
Cole zeroes in on her chest and bites his lip. “Oink, oin—”
A girl I recognize from Britney’s posse sidles up to him mid-sentence and he puts his arm around her. “Hey, sexy. Thought I was meeting you in the hot tub?”
She starts to speak, but Cole diverts his attention to something behind us. “About time you finished.”
My stupid, traitorous heart jumps into a sprint when I see Jace coming down the staircase.
He’s wearing a black Henley that does delicious things to his sculpted arms, and well-fitted jeans that hang low on hips.
His face, as usual, is goddamn perfect. Even more so with the fine dusting of stubble lining his jaw tonight.
I’m so focused on his appearance it takes me a second to realize he’s fixing his belt…and that Britney is slinking close behind him, like a stench that lingers even after you took out the trash.
I’m considering grabbing Sawyer’s hand and heading out to the patio for some air, but Britney’s already noticed me.
The split-second look of envy immediately followed by uneasiness on her face is worth having to endure her for a bit.
“Well, look what the pot-head dragged in.” She shoots Oakley an irritated glare. “Thanks a lot, Oak. I’m sure Hayley, your soon-to-be ex, is going to be thrilled when she gets here.”
Oakley doesn’t seem fazed by her threat one bit.
Jace makes a beeline for the makeshift bar without sparing me or anyone else a glance. Like Sawyer and I, he goes straight for the soda, disregarding the alcohol.
I smirk as he examines the bottle and grits his teeth. “What asshole has been helping himself to my shit without permission?”
Beside me, Sawyer goes rigid.
I down the rest of my drink, and proudly hold up my empty cup. “This asshole.”
The muscles in his neck tense. “What the fuck are you doing here?” His stare lowers, and his dark orbs flash with something other than disdain for a quick second before he focuses on Oakley.
“You don’t want problems? Don’t fucking bring any.”
“I was coming here with or without Oakley,” I inform him. “But hey, if me being here annoys you so much…you should really try to ignore me.” I trail a finger down my bare arm. “Unless I have so much of a hold on you, you won’t be able to enjoy yourself. In which case, I suggest you seek professional help.” I cast him a look filled with mock sympathy. “It’s not healthy to be so obsessed with someone who’s no longer in your life.”
I don’t realize the horrible way my words could be misconstrued until I see a flicker of pain etched in his features.
“Jace, I didn—”
“No.” My stomach drops when he smiles, showcasing that deep dimple of his, and picks up the bottle of soda. “You’re right.” Faster than I can blink, he walks over and pours the soda over my head. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
Britney and her friend laugh like hyenas as he throws his empty bottle in my direction and stalks off.
“Someone is obsessed,” Britney sneers. “But it’s definitely not Jace.”
Sawyer grabs a roll of paper towels off the table and hands them to me.
“Thanks.” I start dabbing as much of the excess liquid off me as I can.
“Okay.” Cole rubs his hands. “I’m going in the hot tub, who’s coming?”
“Me,” the girl next to him coos.
“I’ll see if Jace wants to,” Britney chimes in. “If not, we’ll probably head back to my house so I can make him feel better…you know, since someone ruined his night.”
It takes a substantial amount of effort to ignore her.
Oakley looks at me. “A quick dip might help you get cleaned up.”
I’d really love to know what universe he’s living in, because in mine, I’m not taking a quick dip in a hot tub with Jace’s brother or Britney’s BFF for any reason.
“Seriously, Oakley?” Britney snaps. “Unless you want Jace to kick your ass, stop inviting her places. She’s not welcome. And if you keep it up, you won’t be either.”
Her friend pops a hand on her hip. “Same goes for her fat ass friend.”
“Chill,” Cole says. “Sawyer didn’t even do anything.”
They both ignore him.
“God.” Britney tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Can you imagine seeing that blob in a hot tub?”
“Water is a whale’s natural habitat,” her friend says smugly.
Sawyer turns red with embarrassment.
I, however, am seeing red.
Especially when Sawyer’s lower lip begins to tremble.
“Fuck them,” I tell her. “They’re just jealous.”
“Of what?” Britney’s side-kick cackles. “Congestive heart failure and diabetes? No thanks.”
“Awe,” Britney coos. “I think she’s gonna cry.”
Anger brews in my gut. Britney’s the most vile, miserable person I’ve ever met in my life, and I’m so tired of her thinking she’s so much better than everyone else.
She’s like a fungus that keeps growing, infecting everyone with her cancer.
But she’s spread far enough. No way in hell am I going to stand here and let her keep hurting my friend.
I clench my hands. Whoever talks next is the first one going down.
Side-kick crinkles her nose. “Oh my God. She is. Lard ball is totally cry—”
A fist flies into her mouth.
Only, it isn’t mine.
It’s Sawyer’s.
And my girl packs quite a punch because she knocks her to the floor.
Baring her teeth, Sawyer looks down at her. “I might be crying, but you’re the one who’s bleeding…bitch.”
The girl lunges for her, but Sawyer’s got the advantage and climbs on top of her.
Britney pushes me. “Get that fat ass off my friend before she suffocates her.”
A red mist washes over my vision. This has been a long time coming.
I grab a handful of her red hair. “Eat a bag of dicks, fire crotch.”
And then I drive my fist into her nose.
