Page 11 of Fault Line

“Great,” I mutter to an otherwise empty room.

Gritting my teeth, I press play for the third time, cranking up the volume on my TV. It’s a dramatic attempt to drown out the party noise and sufficiently distract myself. Unfortunately, it’s futile.

The longer I sit here alone, the more and more irritated I become. I’m fully fidgeting now—twiddling my thumbs in my lap, patting the empty space on my mattress, toggling the joystick on my controller.

I’m feeling uneasy, and I’m overwhelmed by the urge to hop back out of bed. I could throw on a shirt, wash my face, and then check out the fucking party for a minute or two. Just to see what’s going on down there. Rai, Bodie, and Will would probably appreciate my showing face, at the very least. And I don’t even have to drink anything.

No harm, no foul.

5

KAIA

By the timeI make it back down to the party, Lizzie’s already sitting in Rai’s lap, one arm looped around his neck with her head tipped back mid-laughter. I should’ve known she’d instantly find someone to cling to in my absence.

She’s the type of girl who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. And while I do admit they make a cute—albeit temporary—couple, that doesn’t absolve Rai from being on my shit list right now.

With a muffled groan, I squeeze in beside them on the couch, nudging him harshly with my elbow. Lizzie gives me an odd look.

“He’s in trouble,” I offer by way of explanation.

“Moi?” Rai presses an open palm to his chest, eyes widening in faux surprise. “Whatever for?”

“Don’t play coy,” I playfully scold, lips rolling together. “You sent me straight into the lion’s den.”

His sly grin widens. “But he’s such a friendly lion.”

“Sure he is,” I grumble, rolling my eyes. “Actually, now that I think about it, how were you even aware that we knew each other?

He shifts awkwardly in his seat, tension creasing his brow. “Ah, er—he may have mentioned your name in passing once or twice.”

My brows shoot up. “Mhm, and you just happen to have a photographic memory?”

“Exactly,” he says, nodding as if he’s proud of himself for the lie. It’s a shitty attempt at diversion, but I’m not going to press him on it. Not here, at least, when he’s at least three drinks deep with a squirming girl on his lap.

I’ll save my skepticism for his housemate.

Lizzie perks up, her questioning gaze darting between the two of us. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Thanks to this one”—with a sarcastic smile, I pat the offender’s bicep—“I just forced my way into Becker’s bedroom.”

“Oh!” Her eyes spark with mischief, gaze drifting around the party. “Did you convince him to come join us, then?”

I grimace at the thought. “No attempts were made.”

She sighs, shoulders falling as she curls further into Rai’s open arms. “Bummer.”

“You know him, too?” Rai asks, painfully clueless.

“No, but I’d like to,” she says in a suggestive tone.

“Lizzie.” My jaw drops, her blunt response taking me by surprise. “You’re literally sitting on top of another guy right now. You do know that, right?”

“Oh, he doesn’t mind.” She rests her head on Rai’s shoulder, winking as she does. “Right, Rai?”

“Nah, you’re good,” he says dismissively, his smile unwavering. “I get it. Becksy’s a real catch. But you know, he only seems to have eyes for—” He clamps a hand over his mouth, nose scrunched as he attempts to backtrack. “—hockey. Right now, he only has eyes for hockey.”

“Hm,” Lizzie murmurs, unimpressed. “I’m glad thathockeycan warm his bed at night. Speaking of, do you have another friend here for Kaia?”

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