be dead right now?
And even more so, where the fuck is Shane Matthews?
“You know, I heard the boys are throwing a party in your honor,” Kristine gushes. “And I told them we could do it at your house.”
And the music screeches right then.
“At my house?” I turn around and grab her arm.
“Ouch,” she winces.
“Sorry.” I quickly let go, then step back. “You said there’ll be a party at my house?”
“Yeah,” she exclaims, excitedly. “I mean you should be sainted for Saturday night but honestly, the rest of us girls just want to know how it was being so close to the Fitz brothers like you were that night.”
“Seriously?” I deadpan. “That’s all you care about?”
“Uh, what?” She frowns.
“That brute had a hand around my neck, and no one did anything to stop him.” I’m still bitter about that shit. “Not even you.”
“I’m sorry, Mia, but in my defense, there was no way anyone could get to you since Liam and Cole were standing guard.”
They were standing guard? Of an assault. It just goes to show how much people don’t really care in this town.
Someone calls Kristine’s name and she turns to go. “So, your house, Friday night?”
“Actually no,” I rush to say, my voice coming out like a shrill and high pitched. What the fuck?
“Is everything okay with you?” she questions, eyeing me carefully.
“Uh, I mean, my Mom has this thing going on the entire week at the house, so no visitors allowed, let alone a raving teen party.”
Kristine stops, then frowns at me.
“You know, how is your mom?” she questions. “I haven’t seen her in what feels like years.”
“Oh, you know, she’s fine.” I swallow the agony that threatens to overwhelm me. “She’s just been traveling and teaching and stuff.”
“Oh, that’s cool. I guess we can do it somewhere else,” she says, a smile on her face that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sure one of the boys wouldn’t mind. Will you come though?”
Oh shit. I knew this was coming.
“Come where?” I pretend to be clueless as a number of eyes train on me.
“To the party, Mia. You’ve been bailing out on me for a while, so I need to know, will you be there at the party or not?” Kristine questions and then flips her hair over her shoulder. She’s trying to make a statement.
There’s that little bitch. Not today.
“Didn’t you say it’s a party in my honor?” I question, standing up straight in my heels, that cold, smug smile on my face.
“Uh, yes, it is.” Kristine’s smile melts in the face of my bitchy one.
“Then I’ll be there, sweetie. It’s my party after all.”
I’m so not going to that party.
And with that, I turn away, open my locker and grab my books just as the first bell rings.
I can feel the impending doom in the air, heading toward me, but for today, I need to survive.
After fourth period, I’ve been unable to locate Shane Matthews anywhere, not even his brother. By the time AP Biology is over, I can’t take it anymore.
“Dante,” I grab his arm before he can leave for the cafeteria. He stops, his eyes growing wide with surprise. I’ve never touched the guy. Like, never. I just made his year.
I quickly let go but I know I have his full and undivided attention.
“Yeah?” he stutters a bit, still shocked.
“Can I ask you something?” I start, keeping my voice in a low flirt. I can get much farther and faster if I act like I actually like the guy. It’s shitty, but I can’t help but feel like there’s something happening around me.
“Yeah, shoot,” he says, straightening up.
“What happened to Shane?”
It’s like watching the lights go out on Christmas eve as I look at his face. His shoulders slump and his eyes flash with a little hurt mixed with irritation.
“Oh, your boyfriend won the race since Fitz junior couldn’t complete it. I thought you’d be together,” he murmurs, looking uncomfortable.
“He’s not my boyfriend, Dante. Why would you say that?” I question. No one has ever thought Shane and I were couple. Even when I wanted them to. Dante perks up then.
“He’s been telling everyone since Friday that you’re his girl and that you hate the Fitz brothers.”
“What?” I almost shriek, but instead I step closer to him, curiosity and dread heating up my insides like I swallowed a Bunsen burner at breakfast.
Dante pauses, then really looks at me, like he’s seeing me for the first time.
“So, you’re not dating him?”
“No, I’m not dating that