by A. J. Logan
“Get out of here, Allison,” Grant says, shooing her away.
“Really, Grant?” She gives him a puppy dog pout that I want to slap off her face. “I thought we were friends.”
He looks to me with annoyance as he turns his unamused expression back to her. “We are not friends. What do you want?”
“Have it your way. I was just going to ask if you two lovebirds were coming to the bonfire tonight?”
Grant looks over to me, but I don’t respond.
Allison gives us a grin, “Hope to see both of you there.”
With that, she’s off to the counter, joining Asher and Elliot as they make an order.
“I’ll see you at school.” It irritates me that Grant didn’t correct Allison’s idiotic assumption about us being a couple.
Grant lightly grasps my arm, so I pause to look at him. “It could be fun, you know.”
“I’ll think about it.” I’ve been thinking about it since he asked a few days ago. Apparently, the bonfire is the biggest party of the school year and “everyone” attends. That is the part that is keeping me from going, “everyone” includes the three people watching us. “Bye.”
Hurrying to my car, I look for Victoria. She’s stomping across the street as the walk signal flashes green.
Pulling to a stop next to her, I roll down the window. “Need a ride?”
She gives me a half-smile before pulling the door open and plopping into the passenger seat. “Thank you.”
Usually she drives a separate vehicle than Asher, so I’m assuming something happened, and I’m not about to ask for details. Victoria and I’ve had a mutual quietness over the last few days. We eat lunch together, silently studying or playing on our phones. It’s actually become my favorite part of the day. There’s something to be said about a friend you can have a comfortable silence with, not needing to fill every moment with conversation. And so far, that’s us at lunch and now as we ride to school in a comfortable silence. My guess is she’s dealing with a lot she doesn’t want to. At least that is my assumption because she has been become increasingly closed off. Even if the silence is comfortable, sometimes it can also be deafening. I haven’t pried because I know how much of an invasion that feels like. We all sort through things when we are ready.
As we are walking into school together, she looks over to me. “Are you going to the bonfire?”
“I don’t know yet,” I answer honestly.
“Just promise me you will be careful if you do.”
“Are you going?”
“Probably, it’s better than staying home.” She lets out a defeated breath.
“Maybe I’ll see you there.” The fact that she will be there makes it more appealing until panic flashes across her face.
“Yeah, find me when you get there. And please just be careful, Quinn.” She hurries away before I have a chance to respond.
Walking to first period, I’m still unsure if I’ll show up. It does sound better than sitting home with Candace. I decide to make the decision after I see what mood the minions are in today. If they give me hell at school, there’s no way I’ll show up for a second round tonight, but I still have a sliver of hope that they have moved on.
23
Standing in my oversize closet, I dig through the endless clothes Candace had it stocked with. There’s nothing that seems right for the bonfire. The school day was thankfully dull but that didn’t make my decision. The message from Haley is what made me decide to go. Out of all the crazy things she could have said, she’d invited me over for the weekend. Saying there’s no parties and Mason won’t be around if I wanted to hang out. Not a chance. There aren’t many people I want to be friends with at the bonfire but there are plenty people who I trust more than Haley.
My arms fall to my side. None of these clothes seem right, so I decide to go with something I already own. A simple black halter top, jeans, and black sandals. At least I’ll feel comfortable wearing my own clothes for a change instead of the appointed uniform.
Walking downstairs, I find Candace in the formal living room talking with Nathan. They both look up as my sandals click against the floor.
Candace gives me a warm look before telling me I look beautiful as Nathan seconds her opinion. I almost expected her to ask me why I wasn’t wearing one of the countless overpriced dresses in my closet. I guess it’s progress between us.
“Headed to the big bonfire?” Nathan asks.
“You know about the bonfire?”
“Oh, yeah. The Golden Olympus bonfire is the official beginning of the school year. Plus, there was always a pretty girl I was chasing after.” Nathan gives Candace a wink.
I give Candace a look as her face flushes, “You two knew each other in high school?”
This is major news to me, not that I know much about their relationship since it happened after she walked out on us.
“We had some mutual friends, so we’d hang out from time to time,” Candace says, as she stands, smoothing her already perfect dress. “Are you driving or is someone coming to pick you up?”
“I’m driving myself.”
Grant had insisted on picking me up, but I want to drive my own car so I’ll have the option to bail early if I want to. The last thing I need is to be stuck there without a way to leave when I choose to.
Candace hesitates before speaking, “Call if you need anything. A ride or anything.”
“Okay.”
“Seriously, Quinn. I’d rather a phone call to come pick you up than you getting in trouble or hurt.”
“Okay.” For the first time, I bite back the angry words I want to spew at her. There’d been so many times I wanted to call her but couldn’t just hit a button to reach her.
“Anytime—day or night.”
I nod, walking out of the room as they both tell me goodbye. That was the most awkward conversation we’ve had in a while and one of the few that didn’t include fighting.
It’s already dark out as I drive to the address Grant sent me. It’s not too far away, but it feels like I’m getting further and further from reality as I drive. I consider turning around but another awkward conversation with Nathan and Candace keeps me moving forward into the unknown. The only typical thing about the night is my outfit and it will probably stick out like a sore thumb, as my dad used to say, but here goes.
A short time later, I roll to a stop next to a line of cars parked along the stone driveway of a mansion as big if not bigger than Nathan’s house. Stepping out of the car, I follow two girls heading around the side of the house and send Grant a quick text that I’m here.
I stop when I glimpse the back yard—it looks like a tropical paradise. There are lanterns strung from end to end around a pool that is filled with more people than I can count but there’s still plenty of room for more. A guy jumps off the stone waterfall and another jumps in right behind him.
Beyond the pool area, there’s a field where even more kids are gathered around a roaring fire with flames at least ten feet tall, music blaring from somewhere.
Out of all the scenarios I pictured of a Golden Olympus Academy style bonfire, this wasn’t it. And the best part, I don’t feel that out of place dressed as me. I chuckle as I watch a guy jump in the pool wearing boxer shorts. Yeah, they aren’t worried about clothing choices here.
My phone dings with a text from Grant saying he is by the fire, so I head that way. He’s walking to meet me before I reach the fire, a red plastic cup in both of his hands.
“Quinn!” he hollers cheerfully, pulling me into an embrace. I move out it quickly, and he shoves a cup at me. “Drink up!”
He grabs my hand as I stumble behind him. Pulling my hand out of his, he gives me a quick look back but continues walking to the fire. Hopefully, Party Grant isn’t too much different than School Grant.
We join a group standing near the fire as I set the cup on the tailgate of a truck. Grant grabs the cup, thrusting it at me again.
“Drink up, Quinn!” He lifts hi
s cup, taking a big swig.
I set the cup back down. The last time I drank was at Haley’s party … the night everything changed. “I’m going to grab a water for now.”
“Want me to come with you?” He stumbles a step forward as I hold my hand up, pressing against his chest.
“No, I’m good. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Maybe. It depends on if I can find Victoria somewhere around here or how much more Grant has to drink before I return.
Turning to walk to the house, I feel eyes staring at me. Searching them out unbidden, I find the flames from the fire flicker in their dark depths. It’s all the glimpse I need of Asher to know I don’t want to be out here, and I head back to the house.
Walking through the open French doors, I enter the kitchen. If I had to guess, between the bonfire, the pool, and the house, I’d say every student—from freshman to senior—has shown up for the party. Because everywhere I look, there are more and more people.
Reaching into an ice chest, I pluck out a bottle of water, drinking down a generous swallow as I continue on my quest through the house. I’m walking down a hallway when I finally spot Victoria with Elliot behind her. She spins around, poking her finger into his chest before storming off in my direction.
“Hey,” I say as she finally sees me through her fury. “Everything okay?”
Elliot walks up, slinging his arm around my shoulder. “Welcome, Quinnster. Mi casa es su casa.”
How had I not known this was Elliot’s house? “Thanks, I think.”
Victoria walks off, Elliot spots someone else and yelling at them, hurrying away.
“What was that about?” I ask when I catch up to her.
She grabs a beer from the ice chest, twisting off the cap before taking a generous swallow. “Nothing important.”
Doubt that, but I don’t push the issue. Walk out to the patio, we sit on some lounge chairs next to the pool. After a bit of our usual comfortable silence, watching the chaos around us, Victoria breaks her quietness.
“Do you ever just want to leave? Go somewhere where no one knows you and where you don’t know anyone?”
“All the time, even though I’ve already just done that.” I chuckle at the sentiment, looking around, not recognizing many faces.
“True, but you didn’t get to pick this place.” Victoria pauses, looking over to where Elliot is playing perfect host. Or more like drunken host. “It’s not the same when your choices are made for you, when you have to be someone because that’s who life says you are … or aren’t.”
“You still get a say-so.”
“Not really.” She downs the remainder of the beer before tossing the glass bottle over her head where it lands with a thud in the bushes behind us.
A snicker leaves my lips as Victoria giggles, closing her eyes and folding her hands over her stomach. My head falls back on the chair as we talk for a few minutes. Her voice getting sleepy as time passes.
I remove my phone from my pocket, noticing a message from Grant. We are all upstairs on the balcony. Meet me up here because you’re missing a really sweet view. ;-)
“She’s out,” Elliot chuckles, tucking a strand of Victoria’s hair behind her ear before perching on the end of my lounge chair.
“Yeah, I was going to head upstairs, but I didn’t want to just leave her asleep here.”
He motions for me to stand as he stands, pushing the lounge chair closer to hers. “I’ll keep an eye on her. I need a break anyways.”
“Great party, by the way.” I laugh as he reclines, folding his arm behind his head.
He waves at me without opening his eyes as I glance up at the balcony. “How do you get up there?”
Elliot slants his eyes open enough to see me pointing at the balcony before closing them again. “Take the kitchen staircase, and it’s the last door on the right.”
“Thanks, Elliot.”
“Thank me tomorrow.”
That’s probably a better idea since he probably won’t remember much from tonight.
I drink the rest of my water, tossing the bottle before I tiptoe upstairs. It seems strange to walk around freely in someone else’s house. I wonder how Elliot’s parents are okay with this. If Nathan knew about this party, then Elliott’s parents probably do too. Haley’s parents were okay with her having parties, but it was just ten, maybe twenty, of our friends at the most.
I push open the door, feeling around on the wall for the light switch with no luck.
Looking across the room to the balcony, I notice a few people outside. I step into the room, an office, I think, but the view distracts me. The entire wall is glass from floor to ceiling, allowing a view over the property. As I step to open the balcony door, I’m jerked backwards. My scream is muffled by a strong hand covering my mouth.
“I knew you’d come running.”
Asher. His taunting, sardonic words almost come as a relief when I comprehend that Grant isn’t the one holding me hostage. Why was I alarmed by Grant trapping me in a dark room more so than Asher? Fuck, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because Asher has pulled this stunt already. He’ll weave my notions into a bigger clusterfuck, leaving me to unsuccessfully sort it out. I struggle to get free, but his hold on me doesn’t falter.
“I tried to warn you. Here’s your proof.”
Proof? Proof of what? I’m still fighting against him as he easily moves back, sitting on a leather chair. He hauls me onto his lap, removing his hand from my mouth, and I suck in a deep breath, smelling the liquor on his breath as I shift to look back at him.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“You’re missing it.” He nods towards the balcony. I drag my eyes away from his sinister expression and search around, the people I saw before coming into focus in the soft light.
There’s no question that the bare ass in view is Grant’s as he pumps into the platinum blonde who has her legs wrapped around him … Allison.
Oh, shit.
My hands clutch my stomach. I think I’m going to be sick.
I move to stand up, but Asher holds me, seated snuggly on his lap, watching as Grant has sex with Allison of all people. She looks over Grant’s shoulder, straight at us as a wicked grin covers her face.
“You set this up,” I whisper into the dark room. I can’t tear my eyes away from her conniving face.
My guard was down, but his wasn’t.
He’s still playing his sick fucking mind games.
His lips brush against my exposed shoulder, warm breath on my skin. “I helped it along, but it’s his choice to drill her.”
“Let me go.”
“Hate me all you want, but you had to know the truth before …”
“Before what?”
“Before it was too late.”
I squirm against him as he finally releases his grip. Remaining seated, he makes no move to stop me.
Against my better judgement, I look back to the balcony where Grant is still screwing Allison. Slowly turning back to Asher, I see his eyes, even in the darkness, waiting on my reaction.
“It’s not like I’m dating him, so he can drill anyone he wants for all I care.” My voice wavers as Asher grins, knowing it’s the fact that it’s Allison—the bitch who’s tormented me and who Grant claimed to hate and refused to classify as a friend—the person I loathe most, other than Asher himself. “You can all go to hell.”
Rushing out of the room, I barely recall sprinting down the staircase, running as fast as I can to get away from Asher and all the destruction left in his wake.
Slamming the car door shut, I stare at the mansion, an unsettling feeling overcoming me. This is only the beginning of things to come.
24
It’s been over twenty-four hours, and I still can’t get the image of Grant and Allison out of my mind.
Laying across my bed, I shut off my ringing phone before tossing it onto the floor. There’s no one I want to talk to, least of all Grant who has called nonstop all day. Haley came in a close second. M
ason has called more than usual since the big reveal of him and Haley’s newfound romance. But Asher, he’s eerily silent. Maybe because his latest shit show had the desired effect.
A light tap sounds on the door before Candace peeks her head in. “Hey, you have company.”
My heart drops, there’s no one I want to see in person either. That’s worse than dealing with them on the phone. “Who?”
“Grant.”
“Tell him I’m not here.”
“A little late for that. He’s waiting in the foyer.”
She ducks out before waiting on my response. It takes every ounce of strength for me to drag myself off my bed. I pull a T-shirt over my head, covering the thin camisole pajamas that I haven’t changed out of. There’s no need to look in the mirror. I’m a hot mess and don’t give a damn.
I walk down the steps, taking my time as Grant comes into view. The warm smile on his face makes my stomach turn.
“Hey, I just wanted to check on you. You haven’t answered any of my texts, and you bailed early on the party.”
“Yeah … not early enough.” Confusion covers his face as I fold my arms across my chest. “I saw you and Allison, so save the act.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“I don’t think anything. It’s not like we are a couple, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Quinn, I had too much to drink—”
I hold my hand up, cutting him off. “I’m not even sure we were ever friends, so you really don’t need to explain.”
His chest rises as he sucks in a deep breath. “He got exactly what he wanted.”
“At least you had a good time in the process, right?” I begin walking back up the stairs, ignoring Grant as he calls my name. He’s nothing but a liar too. I should introduce him to Haley and Mason. I’m sure they’d be great buddies.
It’s still Sunday.
I have hours before I have to deal with reality, so I’m going to enjoy every moment until then. And by enjoy, I mean do anything but think of what I’ll have to face at school tomorrow—primarily Asher Hastings.
