Page 68 of Remember Us This Way

“I wasn’t by myself,” I argue. “Noah walked me home.”

“Oh? He did? That’s so sweet. What a gentleman,” Aunt Maya says with hearts in her eyes as she turns back to my mom. “See, I knew under all that grunting assholery that he’s really a romantic at heart.”

I scoff, debating whether I should burst her bubble and tell her there was absolutely nothing romantic about it, but then I decide that I’ll leave that one for Noah to deal with. After all, that’s the least he deserves after allowing me to walk into this without so much as a warning.

Leaving Mom and Aunt Maya to their swooning, I turn on my heel and make my way upstairs, pulling my phone out as I go and pressing a few buttons.

Tarni’s voice comes through barely a second later. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Are you guys going to that party at—” I pause, realizing I actually have no idea where tonight’s party is.

“Well duh, we’re going,” she says. “Liam cornered Abby outside her car after the game and begged her to come. Apparently, he misses her after like . . . four weeks of dead silence, and he mentioned that Noah was actually going to show up to this one. So like, you can guarantee that every girl in East View is going to be there tonight.”

“Oh, okay,” I say, trying to not let her hear the edge in my tone as I push into my room and immediately scan through my clothes. “Are you leaving soon? Do you think you could swing by and get me? I’m gonna go.”

“WHAT!” she screeches, feigning a gasp. “Did I hear you right or am I having a stroke? Zoey James is voluntarily coming to a party? It’s a miracle.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help the smirk that pulls at my lips. “Yes,” I groan. “Can you pick me up or not?”

“Of course, girl,” she sings. “We’re leaving in ten. Cora’s driving, but fair warning, Abby and I already had a few shots, so you’re going to have to play catch up.”

Unlikely. “Sure.”

“I’ll text when we’re outside.” Tarni doesn’t wait for a goodbye or even a confirmation that I heard her before ending the call, but that’s nothing new. She’s been like that since the moment she got her first phone.

Realizing just how little time I have, I rush to get ready, opting for a black cropped tank with a high-waisted miniskirt and a pair of black suede thigh-high boots that make me feel like a sexy goddess.

I style my hair into a half-up half-down look and put a little makeup on, trying to replicate the look Hazel created for the last party I went to, and if I had the time, I probably would have begged her to do it for me. Happy with how I look, I dash downstairs and spend my last few minutes shoveling food down my throat before Tarni texts that they’re outside.

Saying a quick goodbye to Mom and Aunt Maya, I hurry outside to find Cora’s Lexus waiting in my driveway. I dart across the lawn before scrambling into the backseat to a chorus of whoops and applause, each of them putting on a performance of how shocked they are to see me.

Rolling my eyes, I settle into my seat before pulling out my phone.

Zoey: YOU TOLD YOUR MOM!!!!!!!! What the hell is wrong with you? They’re both crying into their wine.

Resident Asshole: Ah shit. I knew I forgot to tell you something.

Zoey: Wait. What exactly did you tell her? Because I don’t even know what this is let alone how to tell someone else about it.

Resident Asshole: Come to think of it, I didn’t really say anything. Mom just kinda worked it out then made her own assumptions.

Zoey: Great. Just what I need!

Resident Asshole: My offer still stands. We could bail on dinner. I’ll swing by and pick you up…you know, assuming you have enough self-control to keep your hands off me.

Zoey: I bailed on dinner ages ago. I’m already on my way.

Zoey: And for the record, keeping my hands off you is going to be a breeze. It’s you I’m worried about, Mr. Follow Me Into My Closet And Throw Me Up Against The Wall.

Resident Asshole: I’m shocked, Zoey James. Were you even going to tell me or were you hoping I’d show up to dinner and have to sit through it by myself?

Resident Asshole: You think I can’t control myself?

Zoey: I know you can’t!

Resident Asshole: Challenge accepted. May the best player win.

Zoey: I intend to.

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