she'd keep that little bit of information to herself. Especially not after the shit she's already pulled.
I watch as Bryce sends a mass text to everyone in his phone, telling them about tonight and to bring all their friends. There's a good chance it'll get out of hand, but it is what it is. I need to get my hands on something that will either make my mom leave him, or something powerful enough to threaten him with and have him toss my mom to the curb. Honestly, I'd prefer the second. There's less chance for error if it's his doing.
THE HOUSE IS PACKED to the brim, and Lennon is nowhere to be found. The two of us haven't spoken since I left her room last night. If she's pissed at me, I can't say I blame her. I got what I wanted and then left her high and dry. Then again, I also can't say I care.
A DJ is set up in the corner of the backyard, but he has lights and speakers run throughout the house. We also made sure to get liquor as well as beer, just to really make sure if anyone sees me in the office, they'll be too drunk to remember it. Not that I think any of these shitheads would get involved. I just don't want to take any chances. And besides, I wouldn't complain if they puked in a vase or two.
I'm standing in the yard with Bryce and Jayden when Lennon finally appears. Her brows furrow when she sees me but she doesn't seem half as angry as I was expecting.
“Another party? I'm starting to think this is all you know how to do.”
I roll my eyes and use the movement to stop myself from checking her out. “I'm sorry, Mom. Did I not ask if I could have a few friends over?”
She snorts. “A few? Cade, do you know even half the people here?”
“Of course, I do,” I argue.
Lennon hums and turns around. “Okay, her.” She points at some random chick. “What's her name?”
“Heather.” Is that really her name? I have no fucking idea, but I'm going with it.
She giggles. “For a minute, I almost believed you.”
Fuck, I hate how she does this shit to me—makes me wonder what it would be like to not hate her guts. The things she does to me are like nothing I've ever experienced before. For example, the other night. When I told her not to touch me, it wasn't because I didn't want her hands on me. It was because if she felt the way my heart was pounding against my ribcage, it would've given me away. The last thing I need is her thinking she has some kind of advantage.
Thoughts of how my dad was today push to the front of my mind and hit me like a ton of bricks. If I wasn't too busy being wrapped up in all things Lennon, I would've thought to check on him sooner. He might not be as bad as he is if he didn't feel so alone. But I abandoned him, just like my mom did, because I was too busy fraternizing with the enemy.
There's only one thing I can do to get back on track, if not for me than for my dad. He needs this. I have no choice but to push Lennon away. Far, far away, to where I know she'll never come crawling back.
I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes at her. “You know, I liked you a lot better with my dick in your mouth,” I say, louder than necessary. “At least then you weren't talking.”
The hurt look that plasters across her face threatens to break me, but I hold strong. Her mouth opens and closes a couple times, like a fish out of water. She glances around the party and sees how many people are staring at her and whispering to each other. When she turns back to me, I can see the tears building in her eyes, but she holds them back.
“Oh, you mean when you came in under a minute?” She looks me up and down. “At least Kellan knew how to please a girl.”
Low fucking blow. I wince slightly at her words, but I don't have a chance to respond, because she's already storming through the house and out the door. Bryce and Jayden gape at me with shock all over their faces, while I'm still stuck staring at where