Page 95 of Love Me Steadfast
But it’s not like I can quit Boxcar. Not when it’s the only thing keeping Morgan connected to us. After the accident, Dad wanted to ship her off to one of those wilderness schools. The kind where they make you march a hundred miles with just a bottle of water and bag of freeze-dried peas. But we compromised on helping Gudrun with her ranch instead.
So if music keeps her here with us and gives her something to hope for, that’s what I’ll do.
We turn up the path that cuts through the middle of an expansive snowy yard, the big house lit from within. The music and din of conversation from inside the house grows louder with every step, or maybe it’s my heartbeat against my ribs.
I knock on the door, but I don’t think anyone can hear it, so I try the knob. A wall of sound and warmth blasts me as the door swings open. We step inside a room packed with so many people. Laughter and chatter and music crowd my ears.
“Ladies!” A guy I know from my physics class slips from the crowd, his arms wide. “Welcome!”
Another guy steps in next to him, his eyes drinking me in. Shane Riggs. I only know him because he’s such a cocky prick. “Keg’s in the kitchen,” he says, pointing as he talks. “Or help yourself to the cooler.”
“Thanks,” I chirp, then grab my friends’ hands and lead them toward the back of the room.
“Did you see that look he gave you?” Emmie says under his breath.
“Yeah. He’s a dick.” I beeline for the keg, though I’m only going to drink soda tonight. “Let’s get a drink, then I wanna dance.”
But Wilder comes in behind Wren as the guy at the keg hands her a red cup filled with beer, wrapping his arms around her and tugging her close. Wren squeals, then blushes crimson as he whispers something in her ear.
“I’ll be back,” she tells me as he practically drags her down the hallway.
“Okay then,” Emmie says with a laugh.
I’m twirling Emmie around the makeshift dance floor in the living room when we’re joined by Em’s sister Rochelle and a group of her tennis teammates, two guys and three girls. We all jump around together, laughing and goofing off. It feels good to melt into the music. Since Morgan’s accident, the only time I’ve put aside my worries is when I’m playing or singing.
Emmie and one of the tennis guys are hitting it off. She’s giggling and he’s leaning in to talk just to her. Then he spins her around. I try not to look for William. I see him in the halls at school, those dark blue eyes frozen on mine for an instant before he passes, like he’s pissed. I hate it, but what am I supposed to do?
“Having a good time?”
I spin around, irked.
Shane raises an eyebrow. His blonde hair is gelled in place and there’s a hard look in his eye I don’t like.
“Great time.” I spin away before he can follow up with one of his ridiculous pickup lines.
Emmie and I take a break to grab a handful of snacks and visit the bathroom. “You think Wren’s okay?” I ask her over the thumping music.
Em checks her phone. “She hasn’t texted.”
But she’s been gone for almost an hour. How long does it take to bang at a party? Though back in Will’s truck, we kissed for an hour and it felt like minutes.
“What’s with that Shane guy?” Emmie asks as we make our wayback to the kitchen, dodging a couple making out against the wall, his hands under her shirt.
“Looking to get laid, no doubt.”
Emmie wrinkles her nose.
I lead her back to the dance floor, which has gotten rowdier and more crowded. Our junior class president is slow dancing with the captain of the debate team, their lips locked on each other’s. That same guy from the tennis team joins us, his attention focused on Emmie. He’s kind of cute, with a lopsided smile and an easy laugh.
Just as a song ends, Emmie spins me too fast and I go flying, landing with a thud against someone’s chest.
“Sorry!” I cry out, but the guy puts his arms around me.
It’s fucking Shane. He groans in my ear. “I’m not.”
“Quit it!” I try to shove him but he just squeezes me tighter.
“Let’s go somewhere quiet, and you can scream all you want.” He’s already ushering me to the edge of the dance floor.
