Page 35 of Come Break My Heart Again

“Not interested.”

This is the big postgame party. I’m sure Elle is here, and I really don’t need a front-row seat to Hathaway slobbering all over her.

“If you say so.”

Everyone else is out of the car. I exhale, bang my skull against the headrest twice, and then climb out as well. I leave my Rays cap on the seat even though I wouldn’t mind the camouflage of a brim. The car alarm chirps obnoxiously as the rest of the guys head inside.

The front walk is lined with trimmed hedges. Tall columns flank the front porch. Everything about this place suggests its owners are loaded.

Inside is an atmosphere I’m more familiar with. In Jacksonville, we’d mostly party on the beach around bonfires and by lifeguard huts. But aside from the lack of smoke and salt air, being surrounded by drunk teenagers is nothing new to me.

The crew I came with has already disappeared. I scan the living room, avoiding eye contact with any of the girls checking me out. Phoenix was right, I guess. Although it’s the same scrutiny I get at school, just more blatant.

“What are you doing here?”

I spin to face Tuck, raising an eyebrow. “What amIdoing here? What areyoudoing here?”

He half smiles, rubbing the back of his neck. “I hang out in this scene sometimes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. A few of the guys are cool.”

I snort. “If you say so. Is Reese here too?”

Tuck scoffs. “Of course not. Figured you two werehanging outtonight.”

“I told you, it’s not like that.”

“It’s like that for her, man.”

Tucker is convinced Reese has a thing for me, but I don’t see it. We were tight freshman year, and she’s the one person I kept in touch with from here, aside from Tuck. But she’s never acted any differently around me than she does him, as far as I’ve noticed.

I go to run my fingers through my hair and end up basically just rubbing my scalp instead. I’m not used to the shorter length yet.

“I thought Phoenix and I were grabbing burgers. He forgot to mention a couple of stops.”

“You’re here with those guys?” Tucker frowns.

“I’m not selling. Just along for the ride.”

“That doesn’t?—”

“Tucker! Here you are!”

Two girls are approaching. I lift an eyebrow at Tuck, and he smirks back.Cool guys, my ass. He’s here for the chicks.

There are only about a dozen Twos at Fernwood High. The hookup pool is pretty small, so it’s not entirely surprising that lines have blurred the past couple of years. And I’m hardly one to judge. I stepped right over the line freshman year.

We end up in the crowded kitchen. Still no sign of the group I came with. I’m sure Phoenix is off with some girl, and Zane and Cruz must be busy conducting “business.” Archer Hathaway is leaning against the kitchen island, talking to a couple of guys, but there’s no sign of Elle. I relax a little.

“You drinking?” Tuck asks me.

I shake my head. “Nah, I’m good.”

“Watson! Beer me!” Hathaway hops up onto the counter, sending several red plastic cups skittering to the floor.

I don’t know whose house this is, but I’m guessing they have a cleaning service. Some maid is going to be on her hands and knees tomorrow, scrubbing at the sticky residue that just spilled.

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