Page 17 of Stop and Seek
Ethan’s giggle sounded like nails on a chalkboard. “I wonder if anyone spiked the punch.”
“Doesn’t taste like it.”
If someone had, maybe this hellscape would feel more bearable.
The buzz was wearing off. Fast. And in its place, a jittery, crawling sensation crept up Theo’s neck. His heart had picked up speed without warning.
He was fuckingantsynow.
None of this was Ethan’s fault. But if he didn’t get out of here, he was going to say something that wasn’t justmeanand bordered onno return.
“I’m getting some air,” Theo muttered, already turning away.
He’d clocked Alyssa on his way in—painted lips, fake lashes, hair high enough to touch god. If he was lucky, she’d have something green and reliable in her car.
Outside was already stickier than it had been minutes earlier. Muggy as hell. The kind of night where the air had literal weight. Moisture clung to his skin, slithered under his sleeves, and only got worse the longer he stood still.
“The return of Sir Asshole!” Alyssa sang, her voice carrying high over the bass thump leaking through the double doors
Rachel leaned against the railing, cigarette between two fingers, and offered him the smallest smile. “It’s packed, huh?”
“A zoo,” Theo agreed. He pressed his back against the cool brick wall, grateful for the rough bite of stone against his spine. It didn’t do much, but it was better than the swamp inside.
“Oh my god, did you see Maxine?” Alyssa asked, bouncing on her platform heels, spiked bracelets clinking. “Girl looks good, likegood good.”
So that’s which Sterling twin it was.
Theo nodded. “Her purse could pay my rent for a year. Must be nice.”
“Right? Ugh, I’d die to talk to her. She has this, like, cold bitch personality, but I’m sure she’s nice and fuzzy inside.”
Theo snorted, the laugh catching him off guard.
Nice and fuzzy?From someone who probably practiced smiling in the mirror?
Not likely.
Rachel caught his eye, a smirk tugging at her lips.
“Okay, Lyssa,” she murmured. She took one last drag, eyes squinting against the smoke, and ground the cigarette out on the wall.
“Whatev. You both are so mean to me.”
Before Alyssa could slip away, Theo reached out and caught her elbow.
“You got a sec? I’m about to head home.”
“Home?Why?” Alyssa’s voice rose. “Kyran’s got this big thing planned. You’re not going anywhere, Sir Asshole.”
“I hate it here. The hallways keep me in a loop of the shit we had to go through. Screw Decker.”
The black wings painted on Alyssa’s face crinkled as she smiled, eyes wide with glitter and sweat. “Poetic, I guess,” she giggled, twisting her arm free. “Promise you’ll stay for like, an hour max. An hour, Theo. It’s not gonna kill you.”
“No—” he started, but Alyssa was already on him.
She grabbed his face with both hands, tugging him down until his glasses pressed awkwardly into her forehead.
“I have stuff in the car that willblow your mind,” she whispered. “If you leave, Ray will wanna go too. Promise you’ll stay and your girl will hook you up. Youoweme.”
