I Knew You Were Trouble - Cassie Mae Page 0,59
his eyes, tilting his head a bit. “I’ll see you Friday.”
Then he trudges back to the doors leading into Troublemakers. My heart thuds thick and heavy for him, and I frown, gathering up my tripod and sticking it in the backseat. I’ll force him to sleep if he’s in this mood during our lessons. The guy definitely needs it.
Pete
The week between Christmas and New Year goes by in a blur of Troublemakers arcade lights. I’m a dead man walking come time for Candace’s party, just coming off my shift. I worked the Zombie Zone today, and with the dark circles under my eyes and the deep groan my voice has taken, they probably thought I was just another zombie animatronic.
The snow is falling thicker than it has all December, so I had Mad drop me off and pick me up. She of course is invited to the party, too, and she’s decked out for the occasion, wearing the only skirt she owns and a pair of sky high boots. Her coat is so big that it gives her about a three foot radius—I got it for her for Christmas. She was in desperate need of switching out that skater jacket she wore four holes into.
It’s getting late; closing took longer than it normally does with the place being so busy. Not much to do out here in the boonies, and so most people found themselves at Troublemakers before whatever New Year’s shindig they were invited to.
After punching in the directions, I let Maddie take the wheel while I take a much needed nap. My eyes close, and we’re there.
“You sure you’re up for this?” Mad asks, undoing her seatbelt. I rub my eyes free of the barely-there sleep I got and adjust.
“Y-yeah,” I say through a yawn. “’slong as you drive home.”
“I’ll stay sober just for you.”
I’d crack up if I weren’t so damn tired. Candace have alcohol at her party? I’ll die of shock if I walk in and see that.
Mad pops out of the car, and I force my limbs to move. My muscles groan when I step out on the rocky, half-circle driveway that leads to the giant mansion on the property. Cars line up, parking tandem and side by side, and it’ll be a miracle if we get to the door without elbowing a side mirror.
Guess she has more friends than she thought. She was freaking out that no one would show up. I bet she’s freaking out now that our entire staff showed.
Mad and I make our way up the porch, passing a group of people I don’t know who are sitting on the deck, long-neck bottles clutched in some of their hands. There is alcohol. My brow furrows, and the corner of my lip twitches up. Not sure if I’m just shocked or what, but I’m not sure how I feel about Candace buying beer.
I shake my head. Man, I must be tired. Why do I give a shit if she bought the entire liquor store? She could afford it.
I run a hand through my hair and stop at the back of my neck, rubbing out a kink. I’m even too tired to appreciate how massive the main house is. How it smells flowery and clean even with all the people here. There’s enough space to move around, and music thumps from somewhere beyond my line of vision. The entryway opens to a giant living space, the couch, sectional, and La-Z-Boys full. I nod to Josh, Tanner, and Aislynn sitting around a coffee table, playing Texas hold ‘em.
Maddie shrugs her coat off and tosses it over her forearm, standing on tiptoe to try to see over people. I’m one of the tallest here, and I can tell her she’s not missing much.
Or maybe I’m just too damn tired to notice or care about the house we’re in. I know I suggested the party to Candace, but I’m not feeling it tonight. In fact, I haven’t been feeling her whole “bad girl lessons” thing all week. Almost like a switch on a dimmer, our deal has slowly blurred my vision, and I don’t know if I want to help her anymore.
I mean, I will. I need the cash, and tonight should be the last thing I gotta help her through before I get paid. But there’s a sick taste on the back of my tongue every time I think about Candace becoming this version of herself that she sees in the near future. I know