Page 1 of The Mistakes You Make
Chapter One
Letty
“For the record, I think this is a really bad idea,” Harley, my little sister, moans from my passenger seat.
“It’ll be fine,” I grit out through clenched teeth. It’s not the first time she’s said similar words to me today, and I’m fed up with hearing them.
She scoffs at my response and folds her arms over her chest.
I know she doesn’t want to be here. I know she doesn’t want to go to this party.
“I told you, you could have stayed at Dad’s.”
“And leave you alone? Nah, I don’t think so.”
“I don’t need my kid sister tagging along for support.”
She turns her narrowed eyes on me.
“He’s not going to be there,” I assure her for the millionth time.
“It’s a Harrow Creek party. They will be there,” she warns.
My stomach flips and I fight to keep my expression neutral.
“I’ve been assured they won’t. And if they show up, then we’ll just slip out unnoticed.”
Harley’s eyes burn into the side of my face, but I refuse to look at her and keep my eyes on the road as we make our way to Skylar’s house.
It’s her birthday weekend and her parents have stupidly left her the house. They think she’s having a quiet night with some girlfriends. They have no idea that almost every teenager in Harrow Creek is about to descend on their home.
I haven’t been back here to see our dad or my old friends in months, and I’m desperate to rediscover the old me.
It’s no great secret that I hate the place, but unfortunately, when Mom found us a new life in the neighboring town of Rosewood, we were forced to leave some of those we love behind—mainly our dad, who for some crazy reason didn’t want to leave his beloved trailer and shithole of a place behind.
Harley’s knee continues to jiggle nervously in the passenger seat as we drive down the street lined with cars, indicating that tonight’s party is well underway.
I eventually find a parking space and kill the engine, but I don’t rush to get out.
Butterflies flutter in my belly as all of her concerns about tonight race to the surface.
I need to believe what my friends are telling me and that I’ll be able to enjoy my night without looking over my shoulder and being ready to run at any moment. But Harley is right, the chances of him being here are high, and my decision to try to have a normal night with my old friends could be one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.
“It’s not too late to turn around. We could order a pizza, watch a movie,” she offers.
I know she doesn’t have a lot of interest in this party. She was only thirteen when we left this place, it was easier for her to leave her friends behind and start over. But at sixteen, I was turning my back on possible lifelong friends. Friends I didn’t want to leave behind.
I glance down at my little black dress and suck in a deep breath.
“No. We’re going to enjoy our night.”
Hehas ruined enough of my life in the past. I am an adult now. I’m a college student. I should not be running scared from the boy who tried to make my life a living hell.
“Okay,” Harley concedes, pulling the handle and shouldering the door open.
A second later, I follow. Locking the car behind me and smoothing down the front of my dress.
I felt good, and I didn’t need the looks from a few of the guys loitering outside of Skylar’s house to tell me that I looked good. The dress I’m wearing clings to my curves like a second skin, my hair is sleek, hanging down past my shoulder blades, and my makeup is dark, accentuating my gold-flecked dark eyes.
