Page 166 of The Surprise Play
Jade steps a little closer and I back up, wary of the Solo cup she’s holding and what might be in it. Flashes of moldy orange juice hit me, the remembered smell making my stomach turn.
I scratch my belly and shuffle back even farther. I’m in the kitchen now, and I look around, noticing a couple of hired kitchen hands and that’s about it.
“Kitchen’s off-limits, ladies.” Someone walks in, kitted out in a chef’s hat and looking like he’s in charge.
“Sorry.” I flush and make a beeline for the door, but the girls block my way, spitting little comments in my face as I try to push between them.
“You look ridiculous.”
“This whole party is a joke.”
“People are already mocking it.”
“He’s gonna dump your ass.”
“You don’t belong together.”
“What are you even doing here, hippo?”
Their insults ring in my ears, making it impossible to hear the music or smile at anyone as I walk back through the house. People are touching my shoulders, my arms, laughing around me, shouting out words that I can’t hear, and soon I’m not sure what’s nice and what’s not and…
And I can’t do this!
The front door looms ahead of me and I make a break for it, flinging it open and rushing down the steps.
CHAPTER 51
WILY
“Satch!” I call her name the second I see her.
Why the hell is she bolting out the door so fast? Where’s she going?
Damn, it’s taken her forever to get ready. I wanted to wait outside her door like an eager puppy as the girls helped her, but then I got called away to deal with a toilet paper issue, and then someone smashed a bottle on the back lawn, so Zander and I quickly cleaned that up. Then I came back inside and rushed toward the living room, hoping to wait in the archway and see Satch coming down, but instead I see her running out the front door.
“Satch!” Chasing after her, I jump over the railing and land on the frosty grass, slipping in these stupid shoes before finally reaching her.
“Wait.” I catch her wrist and pull her to a stop before she gets to the sidewalk. “Where are you going?”
Turning her toward me, I stare down at her pretty face and start to worry. Her plush pink lips are curving inthe wrong direction, and as she shakes her head and pulls out of my hold, my stomach starts to sink.
She crosses her arms like she’s putting on a suit of armor.
What the fuck is going on?
Trying to play it cool and hide my angst that she’s not loving every second of the party, I keep my voice light and slide my hands into the pockets of my leather jacket.
“I’ve been looking all over for ya.” I let my eyes travel the length of her body. She’s all decked out, and with that jacket and that makeup… damn, she looks so fucking good.
I can’t help a smile forming when I tell her, “You look amazing.” Pulling my hands free, I unhook her arms and hold them wide so I can get the full effect of her outfit. My smile only gets bigger as I drink her in. “Seriously. You look so good. As soon as we get back inside, I’ll have to take a picture. I promised your mom I’d…” My voice trails off.
She swallows, forcing a polite smile, and fuck, it hurts.
She hates the party.
Shit!
I thought she’d be into it, but I played this all wrong.
