Clique Bait - Ann Valett Page 0,37

right now is the fact that my girlfriend’s going around talking like a whore.”

“I’m sorry, France, you know we never slept together. I wouldn’t go that far—I wouldn’t do that to you. I love you. Why won’t you believe me?”

“Because you’re clearly full of shit,” he spat. “I don’t want to see you for the rest of the night.”

“You’re such a hypocrite!” I heard her scream. I was sure that even those a couple of rooms away would have heard it.

There was the slam of a door, and then footsteps down the hall. My bet was that Francis had left.

Arlington’s power couple was certainly much more complicated than I’d thought.

Straightening and shaking out the cramps in my toes, I took a deep breath. The argument next door had sobered me a little. My head didn’t sway. But my heart still pounded hard with anxiety, both from the stolen phone in my bag and the fear of getting caught eavesdropping.

I waited five more minutes before sneaking out of the room. The hallway was empty and completely still despite the commotion that had happened only minutes ago. Watching over my shoulder, I headed straight for the bathroom.

After I’d washed my hands, I retouched my lipstick and wiped the stray liner from around my eyes. Once I’d done what I could to touch up my appearance, I went back into the hall.

The study’s door was now wide open. As I moved to pass, I caught sight of Sophie’s blond hair inside. Before I could look away and continue my trajectory back to the party, she spun on her heels and saw me watching.

“Chloe,” Sophie barked. “What are you doing?”

“Um,” I said, jumping as if I’d been caught up to no good. “I was going to find Will.”

“Come here,” she ordered.

I gingerly stepped through the doorway. Inside, the room was mussed, books cleared from the desk and papers askew on the floor. A crystal vase lay shattered on the carpet. Next to it, a very flustered Lola knelt as she picked up the broken shards with a wad of tissues.

Lola looked up, and for the first time I saw imperfections in her appearance. Her makeup was smudged, a line of black tracing down her cheek. One of the straps of her silk dress was hanging loose, revealing her bare shoulder.

This was what I had wanted all along; to discover Lola Davenport’s vulnerabilities, and to use them to take her down. But even so, it felt wrong to enjoy the moment. Not when I knew how her drunken boyfriend had terrorized her.

“You better watch yourself, Whittaker,” Lola said, her words dripping with scorn, making me slightly reconsider my sympathy.

My mouth fell open in the most innocent way possible even though I knew exactly why she was mad. I’d confided in Maddy about her supposed affair with William.

“So you’re spreading rumors to Maddy now.” I remained frozen, and she continued impatiently. “If you want to keep dating Will, you better keep your mouth shut around her. She can’t be trusted.”

“And you can’t be trusted either,” Sophie added.

I nodded quickly, wondering if she truly had the power to overthrow me from being William’s supposed girlfriend, even with my blackmail. I didn’t want to push it, though, and it wouldn’t help my agenda to try.

“I have something for you,” I said feebly, hoping to redeem myself at least a little. I opened my purse, pulling out my card and the phone accompanying it. I knew this was messed up. I knew Stephanie would pay a price, and I could only hope it wouldn’t be as severe as the one Monica had. “I know it’s before midnight but . . . it’s Stephanie Griffith’s.”

Lola’s lips lifted into a devilish smile as her mood seemed to flip. “Maybe you are worth something, after all.”

“And to think my card just told me to seduce the host,” Sophie said, grinning darkly. “Go. We’re done with you.”

I didn’t need to be told again. I straightened, exiting the room and strutting down the hall as fast as I could. I felt exhilarated. Lola’s approval was the most expensive commodity in Wandemore Valley.

It was more difficult than I’d anticipated to find William. Still dazed, I maneuvered in and out of the upstairs crowd. It had grown larger as late night shifted toward early morning.

I noticed Claire gathered in a circle of Level Twos, her cheeks rosy with alcohol and her eyes lingering on someone behind me. I spun around, knowing that look would only have