Page 38 of The Wrong Costar

Together, we walked out into the living room. The planner had hired a DJ, and the dark room was flashing as strobe lights streaked across the walls and floor. People were squished together as they danced to the beat of the music. It seemed like they were having fun, but I could think of nothing worse than getting caught up in the crowd.

“I think I might head outside,” I called to Tanner over the music.

“I’ll join you,” he yelled back to me.

The two of us walked out back to find that the yard was almost as bad as the house. There were so many people at the party now. Guests were scattered all over the lawn and several had jumped into the pool fully clothed. The party was quickly growing out of hand, but I guess that’s what my mother wanted. The bigger the party, the bigger the story.

Tanner made his way toward some of the guys who normally sat with us at lunch, but I didn’t make it that far as I was flocked by a group of younger girls. They were all talking over one another, and it was impossible to make out what any of them were saying. They kept touching me and taking selfies of themselves at my side. They were completely invading my personal space, but I smiled in all their photos and slung my arm around some of their shoulders as their camera flashes went off. My mother wanted me to look like I was hosting the party of the year, so I needed to pose for at least a few of their photos.

When I’d taken more than enough pictures, I tried to move past them and follow after Tanner. “Catch you later; thanks for coming,” I said, as I attempted to pass. The moment I escaped the first group of girls though, another group descended on me, and I was trapped once more. I didn’t recognize any of the people who kept coming up to me, and I was sure many of them didn’t even go to Lincoln High.

I felt serious regret for agreeing to this party in the first place as I slowly made my way across the lawn. At school, there was at least some note of decorum to the masses of students. Teachers quieted classes down if they got too excited that I was there, and by this point, most kids had gotten the photo they wanted, and I was being stopped less between classes.

I’d just managed to free myself from another group when someone grabbed hold of my arm. I turned and let out a breath of relief as I found Zeke at my side. I thought he’d come to rescue me, but the feeling of relief was all too short, because the moment I caught his gaze, I knew something was up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“People keep on streaming into the house,” he said. “It’s not just kids from Lincoln High anymore. Word seems to have spread, and there’s a real crowd forming out front.”

I swallowed and glanced nervously around the backyard. It wasn’t overcrowded yet, but if people kept arriving, things were going to quickly get out of control.

“I don’t think you’re safe out here,” Zeke continued.

“I’m fine.”

Zeke scoffed, calling my bluff. “You’ve spent the last twenty minutes being mobbed.”

He wasn’t completely wrong about that. But it wasn’t like I hadn’t dealt with fans before.

“It’s only going to get worse,” Zeke continued. “I think we’re going to have to shut down the party.”

“But how?” I didn’t have nearly enough personal security to kick everyone out. And it’s not like I could simply ask them to leave.

“We might have to call the cops…”

I shook my head at his suggestion. “No. I know my mother wants me to do something newsworthy, but if word gets out that a party I threw was broken up by the police, it might be more negative publicity than even we can handle.”

“Well…” Zeke shrugged. “It might be our only option.”

I shook my head once more. “I don’t want any photos of me near police.”

“Fine. We’ll get you out of here first, and then I’ll make the call. Does that work for you?”

I glanced nervously around the yard once more. I didn’t want to get these kids in trouble, and guilt curdled in my stomach at the idea of calling the cops on them. If the crowd got too large though, they would all be in danger. This party seemed to be taking on a life of its own, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Plus, if we made a big deal about me leaving the party, perhaps, people would head home of their own accord and we wouldn’t have to call the cops.

I slowly started to nod. “Let’s get out of here,” I agreed. “And if me leaving doesn’t calm the party down at all, you can call the cops.”

Zeke blew out a breath, like he’d been worried I wouldn’t agree with him. “Okay, good.”

As he turned to lead me back through the crowd, I noticed he’d brought Boss with him. Boss tended to keep himself in the background when he was on duty, and I rarely even noticed he was there, which was impressive, considering his size. Right now though, I was beginning to feel really grateful he had made his presence known. Boss might not say a whole heap, but he was a formidable-looking guy. He didn’t even need to push his way through crowds. They always just seemed to part for him.

“You okay?” Boss asked as I focused on him. “You told me to keep back, but I was getting concerned.”

“I’m fine.”

“Liam’s agreed to get out of here,” Zeke added.

Boss grunted his approval. “About time,” he said before he started clearing a path for me through the crowded backyard. Boss certainly made getting back to the house easier than getting out of it had been. No one dared to stop me when he gave anyone who looked my way one of his murderous glares.

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