in hushed tones. I hear her little giggle, and it makes me smile, despite the constant pit in my gut. He shuts her door, and I know, within a few minutes, she’ll be out like a light.
An awkward silence descends as Endymion stands before me, his gaze raking up and down my body. I cross my arms over my chest protectively, feeling unsure.
“You know, about the invite your mother extended to me, I don’t have to come.”
His gaze searches mine but gives nothing away. His face remains impassive, impossible for me to read. “It’s fine. Luna will want you there.”
I clear my throat. “Okay. Sure.”
“Thank you for coming.” The words sound insincere as if they’re hard for him to say, let alone swallow. I hate that.
“Of course. And look, I know you’re still angry with me—”
That seems to do it. His eyes suddenly flare with pent-up rage, and his lips thin into a grim line. The sinews of his strong body grow taut with tension, making me regret me and my stupid mouth instantaneously.
“Did you think a few outings with my daughter would suddenly take away my anger, Selene?” He takes a step toward me, and I back away on instinct. I don’t think he’d ever hurt me, but something in his eyes, a darkness mixed with reckless abandon—it’s a pool of heat that is so hot, it damn near incinerates me.
“No. Well, yes. I mean, no. I just hoped—”
“Don’t hope, Selene. It gets you nowhere.”
He stalks away, gait stiff, the muscles in his back bunched with tension, and I watch the entire way he goes, feeling off-kilter and deflated.
After showering off my shift at Rita’s, I get dressed for the party at End’s parents’ house. It’s all the town has been talking about. Apparently, they’ve been doing it every year in the summertime. Not that I would know, I’ve been gone and am no longer a true member of this town.
News has spread fast about Luna and her relation to the Blacks. The gossip mill still hasn’t changed one bit since I’ve been gone. It probably never will. I’ve been getting side-eyes and disapproving stares at work from other town-goers, and my only saving grace has been Rita and Julia. They’ve been quick to speak up and defend me against the vultures and their harsh words when I can’t speak up for myself. I’d like to think I’m not that weak teenaged girl from six years ago, but giving in to the town’s antics, defending myself to them, almost feels like I’m fighting back for no reason. I do deserve their wrath, so if this is my punishment, so be it.
With the summer heat at an all-time high, I opt for a yellow sundress and some nude espadrille sandals that buckle around the ankle. I blow-dry my hair and run a brush through it, deciding to keep the natural waves I have going instead of going all out and doing my hair. I’ll have enough people judging me as it is. The last thing I want to do is draw too much attention to myself.
Before I left for work earlier, I dressed Luna similarly in a cute little pink romper with unicorns and a bow in her hair. Endymion’s smile was so wide when he came to pick her up; it had my stomach flipping, and my heart tripping over itself.
“You ready yet? Or are you on your what, hundredth heart attack of the day?” Julia asks, popping her head into the doorway. I glance away from my reflection and shoot her a glare.
“I’m ready.”
She’s coming along as moral support, but I’m not exactly sure how supportive she’ll actually be. I love her, don’t get me wrong, but she’s always had this “I don’t give a shit what other people think of me” motto that I’ve never quite been able to adopt.
My stomach twists with unease as we park down the street from their house. There are a ton of cars, and plenty of the town is hanging around. This is definitely going to be a packed shindig. That is what I hate about small towns.
“C’mon, it’s probably not as bad as you’re thinking,” Julia assures, dragging me along with her. When we walk into the backyard, and I see everyone seated around at the multitude of tables, my breath gets caught in my throat. It is exactly what I was fearing.
Only so much worse.
As soon as everyone takes notice of us, there is a lull in the roaring