Page 86 of The Quarterback Sneak

“One day, your luck will run out, Evans.”

“Good thing today isn’t that day, then.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Honey

Two Weeks Later

I blow out a long, tired breath as I stare at the driveway of my house. Perfectly lined Christmas lights cover the windows, reminding me how much I don’t fit here anymore. Expensive cars line the drive, and the noise of the party spills through the open door. My mom knows I’m standing here. The door notified her phone the minute I stepped on the porch, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking I might be able to leave without having to greet more guests. My mouth aches from all the fake smiling, and I’m tired of pretending I’m happy when I’m not. I hate how easily I bend to her will. The whole house feels like a prison, a mansion of misery that controls my every move without my say.

Only a few months left until I’m out of here and at college.

Among the trail of cars, Jamie’s sits next to mine, and I know why my mom invited him. My breakup with Zach wasn’t exactly private, thanks to some students uploading his meltdown on every social media site. When my mom learned about Zach’sfrisky knuckles, I knew he would never be welcomed with open arms again. She used it as an excuse to tell me I needed someone who understood the stresses of our world. Someone like Jamie. It doesn’t matter that he cheated on me because we all make mistakes, apparently.

As I walk to the top of the porch, I stop myself.

I can’t do it. I can’t just happily return to my old life. It’s not who I am anymore. Taking a few steps backward, I spin on my heel on my heel, skip down the stairs, and stare at my hideously pink car, knowing it’s my only chance of freedom. My heels click against the sidewalk as I walk without thinking about where I’m going. I need to get away from the fake life created for me.

“Hunniford.” My mom’s familiar shrill voice stops me in my tracks. “Where are you going?” I flick my perfectly styled hair over my shoulder to look at her.

“Sorry, mother. I left something in the car and was just going to get it.” Fake smile back on, I wonder when I became such a sap, so weak that I follow all my family’s orders. I thought I was growing in strength and confidence, but it turns out that went out the window the minute Zach left me.

Not that he was everwithme. That was just some twisted fantasy I had from reading too many romance novels. The bad boy from across town doesn’t save the princess in real life. In real life, the princess marries the beast and then becomes one herself.

Zach was clear from the start that he was only here for the money. I’m the one who turned it into something it wasn’t.

“Hurry up and get back in the house. It’s midnight in twenty minutes.” Doesn’t she realize that is the exact reason I left in the first place? The thought of celebrating the new year with my family and her friends makes me feel like I’m choking.

Two weeks without school has been both a blessing and a curse. Not being there made ignoring the idiots on social media easier,but it also means I haven’t seen or spoken to Zach, and that part is killing me.

“Yes, Mother.” It rolls off my tongue, and I turn back around, looking at every car that sits on the circular drive. A Mercedes is parked so close behind me that I doubt I could get out of the space, anyway. Besides, where was I planning on going twenty minutes before midnight? Isn’t that statistically the worst time to drive on New Year’s Eve?

My mother doesn’t leave. I can feel her watching me, her eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. She’ll drag me in there if I don’t turn around soon.

Spinning slowly, I offer her a weak smile, heading back to the house. It was stupid of me to ever believe I could leave this place. Mom wraps her arm around my shoulder, pulling me into her side in a gesture that may look sweet to some, but it’s not. Her nails dig into my shoulder so she controls my every step. “Why aren’t you wearing the floor-length red dress I laid out for you? The way this one pulls emphasizes your hips.”

A sarcastic smile grows on my face because, of course, all she wants is for me to keep up appearances. I’m just her prop for the night.

That’s why I chose this green dress. It was my one tiny act of rebellion I knew I’d be able to get away with.

I barely make it inside before she says, “Jamie has been looking for you the whole night. He’s over there.” She tilts her head, and I hold back the low growl threatening to emanate from my belly.

“Mm-hm.” Jamie and I glare at each other.

I hate him. He’s the reason for everything. He broke my heart, then stood back and let Zach do the same thing. The only gleaming piece of satisfaction I get is that Jamie’s still suffering from Zach’s punch. Bright red, with a mixture of yellow and purple, Jamie’s face looks like an exotic pizza.

“See you at midnight.” With one final squeeze, my mother’s talons let me go, and she drifts into the crowd looking like the perfect mannequin she pretends to be.

As expected, Jamie stands with Kyle and Brett with whiskeys. Wearing tuxedos, they look like idiots playing dress-up, but who am I to judge? I’m the same. Faking a life that my parents expect me to live.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the twinkling lights from the yard, and an idea pops into my mind. If I can’t leave through the front door, I’ll sneak out the back. Determination takes over, and I stride to the back, making sure no one notices. The bitter air skates across my skin, giving me the tiniest taste of freedom.

“Honey.” The chains of reality weigh me down when Jamie calls my name, saddling beside me. “Where you off to in such a rush and in those heels?” He looks down at my gold Manolo Blahniks, surprised I can walk gracefully on the grass in them. It’s not a big deal; I’ve known how to do it since I was twelve.

“Just looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s,” I grumble.

“On your own? That seems pretty depressing.”

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