except he’s friends with a few BMA guys, and his house is a near-constant party scene.
This was a really dumb idea. I know that’s what Court is thinking. I’m thinking it too, but I’ll never admit it out loud. After the shitshow that was dinner tonight, I’m determined to make some waves. If Landon can’t respect my own house as a safe zone, then I won’t respect the unwritten rules about who’s invited to these stupid parties. While I’ve been busy wavering in my morality, Landon and Audrey continue to find new ways to torture me. If I want to get real dirt on any of them, this is the place to do it. The party has already been in full swing for a few hours. If we’re lucky, they’ll all be too intoxicated to pay any attention to us.
“Are you sure about this?” Court asks.
“Yeah, I think so.” My eyes nearly vibrate out of their sockets.
“Um, are we just going to stand here all night then?”
“No, of course not.” I check my phone again. Jared still hasn’t responded to my messages, and we had a plan for tonight. But I can’t chicken out now. We’re here, and I’m just hoping once we’re inside, Jared will follow through like he promised.
“You know I’m only doing this for you,” Courtney groans as we approach the door. “One hour, right?”
“Yes, just one hour.” My entire body feels like it’s gone into rigor mortis as we step onto the landing.
“Do we knock or ring the doorbell?” She yells the question over the loud ass music filtering through the open windows. “My party etiquette is as dead as my soul.”
“Let’s just go in,” I suggest with more courage than I actually feel.
Court opens the door, and two drunken guys nearly trample right over us as they stumble out. I’m half expecting one of them to yell that we don’t belong here, but they are so out of it they don’t pay us any mind as we step inside.
Like most of the houses in Black Mountain, Alistor’s is huge and impressive. Right now, it’s stuffed wall to wall with so many people it’s a literal fire hazard. The place is chaos. People are dancing, drinking, fighting, and nearly getting it on everywhere I look. It reminds me of the party at Landon’s. Bitterness coats my tongue as my hands lock into fists at my sides.
“Where to?” Courtney’s eyes bounce around the room in horror. She already looks like she wants to vomit. She really doesn’t people very well.
“Um…” I scan the crowd for Jared. It’s so loud in here I can’t think. “I don’t see him. Maybe we should check out back.”
Court follows my lead as I wind through the throng of bodies, heading for the French doors that lead to the backyard pool. Anyone who’s someone in Black Mountain has a pool. It’s a popular hangout during parties where girls can use the excuse to flaunt their designer bikinis while all the guys drool over them.
Once we’re outside, I drag in a breath of fresh air and relax a little when I see the back patio is full of people too. Jared has to be here somewhere.
“Uh, Kail.” Court tugs on my sleeve, and when I follow her gaze, irritation bubbles up my throat.
“Ouch.” Someone whispers in my ear from behind me, his fingers grazing my elbow. “I bet that hurts the ego a little.”
“Go away, Landon.”
I can’t face him. Not when my fake boyfriend is humiliating me in front of everyone by cheating on me with another girl. I recognize her as one of the cheerleaders at BMA. She’s tall and thin and gorgeous, and there’s no way he could have mistaken her for his quarterback boyfriend from Maple Grove. I’m confused and stunned, unable to look away as he writhes all over the girl in the pool, practically sucking her face off. My cover is officially blown.
“Why would I leave?” Landon chuckles darkly. “The entertainment just arrived. Maybe I should get the popcorn.”
“Maybe you should go jump in the deep end and see how long you can hold your breath.” I glance over my shoulder and smile sweetly.
“Funny.” He crosses his arms, cocking his head to the side as he studies me. “Is someone a little pissy that their boyfriend has his tongue down another girl’s throat?”
“It wasn’t a joke.”
In a moment of extraordinary bravery, I grab his arm and thrust him forward, and he loses his balance, stumbling straight into the