Page 69 of Where the Darkness Goes

“I know you and Will are in kind of a weird place since Cassidy died, and I wish I had better advice there, but what I can tell you is that if you don’t go to celebrate with him tonight before he leaves, you’re going to be angry with yourself in thefuture when you guys work things out. And I’d be willing to bet the same goes for Garrett.”

“Garrett dumped me via text six weeks ago and has been completely ignoring me since. How can you possibly think we’ll ever be okay again?”

“Because you love him. And look, far be it from me to defend a man, but I think he loves you, too.” She stands up and moves over to the bed where I’m sitting, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “I won’t pretend to understand how guys’ minds work, but I do know what it looks like when they’re into you, and that boy is in L-O-V-E. I don’t know why he broke up with you. Probably because he’s an idiot, but maybe he truly thinks he’s being kinder to you by not making you do the long-distance thing. Either way”—she leans in conspiratorially—“the best way to get even? Show up looking like your hot self and let him know what he’s missing.” She kisses my cheek, leaving a perfect, red impression on my skin. I drop my jaw and glare at her.

“You’re suggesting I make him jealous?”

“With a capital J.” She winks.

When we arrive at the party, Britney has worked her magic on me. My dark hair has been curled into loose waves, my makeup is just a bit edgier than I’d do myself, and I’m wearing one of her minidresses.

Our first stop is the drink table, where Britney pours us two shots of vodka. Vodka is always her go-to because she says it doesn’t give you bad breath. “Okay, one shot for courage.” She passes me a glass and we tap them together. I don’t even think about the million reasons this might be a bad idea. I just swallow it.

The fire burns my throat, and I suck in a deep breath as she takes the glass back, nodding and smiling. “Attagirl. One more.” She refills the glass.

“What’s this one for?” I ask, my throat still burning.

“For luck.” I squeeze my eyes shut and down the next shot, coughing as I swallow it. She pats me on the back like a proud momma. “Now, let’s go get youoverhim andundersomeone else.”

I swallow again, trying to catch my breath as she places the shot glasses down and moves us through the party with expert precision. “The first step,” she reminds me, “is to find someone near him, but not in his direct line of sight, and flirt. Hard. Dance with him. Whatever.”

“I’m not only here to make him jealous,” I remind her feebly, but my eyes are already scanning the space for Garrett. It’s hard—harder than I’ve wanted to admit. I’ve lost a best friend and the boy I fell for in one fell swoop, and I still don’t understand why.

“Duh. You’re here to dance with your best girl.” She bumps my hip. “Seriously, you’re going to feel so much better after tonight, I promise. He doesn’t get to make you hide away. These are your friends, too.”

I hug her with one arm, and a gust of wind rushes under my dress, reminding me how short it is.

“Oh.Him.” She points to a guy I don’t recognize across the room while I’m distracted by tugging my dress down. He’s standing at the head of a table where they’ve set up beer pong, chatting with two other guys.

“Who is that?”

She turns to me, eyes wide. “Do you remember Connor Wade? He graduated two years ago.”

I squint at him. Everyone knows Connor, who was easily the most popular person in his grade. Last I heard, he joined a bandand moved to Nashville. “Doesn’t he work with that country singer? What’s his name?”

“Clayton Beckett,” she says with a nod. “Yeah. He’s his guitar player. They’re getting ready to go on their first tour. I can’t believe he’s here.”

I grin at her. “Are you sureyoudon’t want him? Is that drool?” I pretend to wipe under her lip, and she swats my hand away with a scowl.

“Don’t be silly. Tonight’s about you, and this is just a sacrifice I’ll have to make.” She raises her brows playfully as she says this.

“Connor will not be interested in me.” I sigh. “He’s twenty. He’s probably just here because his mom teaches Sunday school with mine. I’m sure she told him to come say goodbye to Will before he leaves.”

“Girl.” She looks me up and down. “You’re so hot tonight, I’d do you.” She bumps my hip. “And I’m ninety-six percent straight. Now, come on. I’ll introduce you.” She grabs my hand and drags me across the room and directly up to Connor, who looks over from his conversation, slowly losing his train of thought.

“Um, hi.”

“Connor,” Britney says, ever the unashamed, unafraid diplomat. “Do you remember?—”

“Tessa Becker.” He nods, cutting her off. His voice is warmer than I remembered, friendlier. “Of course I do. Good to see you. Your mom still brings me a pumpkin pie every time I’m in town.”

I smile, thinking about Mom. “I didn’t know that.” It doesn’t surprise me, though. She does so much that I don’t see. “I also didn’t know you’d be here. Welcome home.”

“I was in town for a quick visit before we head out on tour.” He shrugs. “Not sure if you’ve heard, but I’m going on tour with Clayton Beckett.”

“I—”

Britney cuts me off before I can confirm that I knew. “No way!” she exclaims. “We hadn’t heard.” She beams at me broadly. “Why don’t you and Connor go somewhere where you can talk, like the kitchen maybe, and he can tell you all about it?”

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