The Enemy - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,25
I'm surprised it's not bigger. You'd think a professional NFL player would live in some big-ass mansion, but Lennon's house could swallow this one whole. I park in front of the driveway, not caring that I'm blocking the cars in the driveway from getting out. You can hear the loud music from a block away. It's only a matter of time before the neighbors call for a noise complaint, unless someone already paid them off.
Bryce and Jayden follow me through the house and into the backyard. Like a gravitational pull, I find Lennon instantly, and my jaw ticks. She's laughing with Colby Hendrix and Asher Hawthorne, but she's comfortably tucked into Kellan's arms as he holds her from behind.
“Now this is a party!” I shout, and all heads whip toward me.
Lennon looks like she wants to kill me. Like if given the chance and the right weapon, she wouldn't hesitate to put me in the ground. They all walk toward me, and Kellan tries to slot himself between me and his girlfriend. Stupid prick. He's really starting to piss me off.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” she growls.
I feign innocence with a boyish grin. “What do you mean? It's a party.”
She places one hand on her hip and juts it to the side. “A party you weren't invited to.”
“Well, I'm here, aren't I?”
Colby looks me up and down, unsure what to make of me, then he turns to Lennon. “I'll kick him out if you want. I'm leaving it up to you.”
Lennon goes quiet as she stares back at me. When she doesn't say anything right away, Kellan nudges her.
“Why are you even thinking about it?” he asks. “Get him out of here.”
I snort. “Go ahead, princess. Kick me out. I'm sure your dad will love to hear about how you had me thrown out of your graduation party. You know, with how much he wants me to fit in and all.”
That gets to her, just like I knew it would. If there's one thing Lennon doesn't like to do, it's upset Daddy Dearest. He can get her to do just about anything he wants with a single look.
She sighs and runs her fingers through her hair. “Just fucking leave him.”
Kellan's glare intensifies as she shakes her head and walks away. I smirk triumphantly, winking at Kellan just to piss him off a little more. Step one, done.
ONE THING ABOUT RICH pricks—they always get the best alcohol. I'm not a lightweight, but it only took a few drinks to put a good buzz on. Seeing Kellan all over Lennon, I fucking need it. It's like he's claiming his territory. He may as well just piss on her at this point.
“Look who it is.” A voice I haven't heard in a while gets my attention.
Knox Vaughn appears in front of me, and it's like a blast from the past. The two of us met a few years ago at the skate park and really hit it off. He's one of the most down to earth people I know, and I always wondered why we lost touch.
“No shit! What's up, man?”
“Not too much,” he answers. “What's new with you?”
I shrug and take a sip of my beer. “Eh, you know. Surfing, skating, drinking, and smoking.”
He chuckles. “Living the life.”
“Exactly.”
A girl comes up next to him that looks a lot like Lennon's friend. With no effort on her part, the toughest guy I know becomes soft in an instant. He wraps his arm around her and kisses her cheek.
“Cade, this is my girlfriend, Delaney,” he says. “Delaney, Cade Knight.”
I smile politely, trying not to show how shocked I am by Knox having a girlfriend. “It's nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” she says. “I've heard a lot about you.”
My brows raise. “Oh really?”
She giggles. “Well, my twin sister is best friends with Lennon.”
Twins. That explains a lot. “All good things, I hope.”
Knox snorts and Delaney cringes. “I mean...”
I wave them off dismissively with a snicker. “I was kidding. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know she can't stand me. I just like getting under her skin.”
“Under her skin or under her shirt?” Knox claps back.
That's what I always liked best about him—he's never afraid to tell it like it is. Bryce and Jayden may be able to see right through my shit, but Knox isn't afraid to call me out on it. One thing’s for sure, I need a better poker face.
“Fuck off, asshole,” I tease.
He throws his head back, laughing. Bryce