Page 50 of Filthy Elites

“What? Can’t I be in a good mood without a reason?” I ask innocently.

“You’re a Novak, so the answer is no.”

I sigh in my head. Corbin isn’t wrong. My family founded this town, so everything that happens in our circle eventually becomes gossip, and the stories are never fairytales. They’re fucked up and mostly true. Happiness is a word that doesn’t exist in the Novak vocabulary.

“You got close to the new girl fast,” Corbin continues. “I thought that once you decided to get serious, it would be with Sloane.”

I don’t like the way this conversation is going. Glowering, I ask, “Where did you get the notion that I’m with Nicola?”

His eyebrows rise, almost meeting his hairline. “Oh shit, you aren’t?”

“No,” I growl.

He lifts both hands, palms facing me. “Sorry. Don’t need to go savage on my ass. I just got a vibe from you two.”

“There’s no vibe,” I grit out. “So you’d better keep your piehole shut about this.”

I hoist my backpack over my shoulder and stride out of the room before I indeed go savage on his ass. It takes me a minute to calm down. I used to be able to control my emotions better. It doesn’t take much to get a rise in my temper lately. It’s all because of Isabelle. She’s messing with my head big-time, and I can’t stop it.

We’re supposed to meet again to practice at the end of the day, but if I don’t get into a better state of mind, I’ll end up hate-fucking her again, and there goes violin practice. As much as I want to punish her, I don’t want to blow the performance. I know I don’t need my mother’s approval, but the desire to please her is ingrained in my soul. Old habits are hard to break, and she’s a master of psychological warfare.

Unlike most fucks who stumble through life not knowing why they act in destructive ways, I’m very much aware of my issues. I just can’t do anything about them.

I’m lost in thought, so I don’t notice Finn until he steps up next to me.

“Have you heard the awesome news?” he asks me.

“By your sarcastic tone, it isn’t great, and it involves our family,” I grumble.

“We’re having a party. Well, your mother is having a party, but that means all Novaks must be in attendance. Even my sister is coming.”

I stop walking to stare at him. “You’re joking."

“I wish I was. I was hoping we could go back to Playground this weekend.”

My head hurts just thinking about another Novak social event. They’re torture, and if my mother is the hostess, that means I’ll have to play for her guests. She enjoys putting me on display only to tear me apart later.

I fish out my phone and check for messages from her. She didn’t call, but I do find an email she sent an hour ago.

“Are you bringing Nicola to the party?” Finn asks.

The look I give him is answer enough. “Why would I do that?”

He shrugs. “No reason. I just know it will be a huge party, and the invitation extends to older offspring too. I had to listen to Tara bitch about it on the phone this morning. She so doesn’t want to fly in from New Haven for this.”

“Great,” I groan. “That means half of Maverick Prep will be there.”

“It’s unlike your mother to throw anything last minute. Do you have any idea why she’s doing it?”

I grind my teeth. “Maybe.”

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“No. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but you have enough on your plate dealing with your asshole father.”

“I don’t mind. Misery loves company. But it’s fine, man. I get it.”

“Are any of you fools bringing a date?” I ask so I can change the subject.

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