to the usual suspects. It’s going to rock.” She pulls her date into the limo waiting for us.
I climb in, sending Henry a text about the two boys I need picked up, as per the instructions on the cards I gave them. It’s his favorite part of the job—not.
The apartment is a penthouse in an older area that has been redeveloped on the West End. Nance’s dad got in early and bought the whole building off the developer, selling each unit off for a massive profit after the renovation was done.
When we get there, the elevator door doesn’t stop dinging. I hurry to the bar to set up the shots but Leo shoves me out of the way. “We got this, you go turn on some music.”
His friend scowls. “You’re going to trust a girl with music?”
Leo laughs, hitting me in the arm. “No wrist-cutter tunes.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that to me? I don’t cut. Freaks.” I turn and walk to the stereo. I crank a Justin Beiber song and point at Leo. “This one’s for you, baby-baby-baby.”
He groans and I change it to Icona Pop, the band I was going to pick before he got all ‘mean girl’ on me.
The music pumps but we don’t worry about the sound traveling through the floor. When Nance’s dad bought the building, we secretly created a fake company and bought the entire floor under us with my dad’s money. He still has no idea.
“What is this Eurotrash?” Leo asks as he mixes some brightly-colored shots in the tall glasses.
My jaw drops, as does his friend’s. “Dude. Harsh. Never speak of my girls that way. They’re awesome.”
His friend shakes his head. “Seriously. This girl may be a little crazy, but she speaks the truth. Icona Pop is the best.”
He ignores us as his vision trails over to Nance who’s gathering the electronic devices. We don’t allow cameras or phones at our parties. When Henry gets here he’ll make them all sign the nondisclosure forms. He’s a mood wrecker.
Leo holds a drink out for me.
I saunter over, dancing to my song—I Love It. Leo’s friend holds his hand out. “I’m Jake.”
I scowl, taking it and shaking. “That’s not a very good gay name. You need a different one. Todd, Lance, or I just broke up with a Chad—it’s sort of gay. Jake is too brutish.”
He smiles, flashing perfect white teeth. “Maybe I’m secretly a brute.”
I wink at Leo. “Good luck later.” God to be a fly on that wall.
Leo backs away slowly with his hands up like I have a gun or am going to force him to look up my skirt. “I can’t even—you are too much.”
“I know.” I turn to see the door opening again, letting in a bunch more people. A girl, Samantha, who I don’t particularly enjoy, walks up to me grinning like she has the scoop on something wicked. She leans in. “So how was the spa, Lana?”
I tilt my head to the side. “I am enjoying my high, Sam. Fuck off.”
“I heard what happened. I just had to laugh. I mean every girl in Harvard is terrified of that rapist, and when he sneaks in your room he goes for the safest spot on you. At least you must feel better knowing he won’t touch you.”
My jaw drops and my fist balls but Nance is there, steering her away from me. “Why do you have to provoke her?” Nance looks back apologetically.
I can’t even . . . What a whore.
My high flails and ends up skidding to a brutal halt.
I turn and walk out onto the cold deck.
My night might not be nearly as fun as I had hoped it would be.
Chapter Four
All you need is love
James
I slip from the limo, grateful the crinkled piece of paper got me here. When I saw the freshmen getting the cards, I knew we were in for some trouble. Lana means business when it comes to parties. Nick and Weaver both eye me up. Weaver gives me a nudge. “She invited your ass to this? You never party.”
I nod. “We have the last game against Yale next week. Y’all need to keep it in your pants tonight. Don’t let her give you any drugs. Coach will flip out.”
Nick rolls his eyes. “Stay in the limo, Nancy. That guy that brought us here looked pretty tame—maybe y’all could play chess.” He mocks my accent.
I grit my teeth, counting backward so I don’t break one of HIS teeth off on my fist.