Page 97 of Fraternizing with the Enemy
One of the cheerleaders hid her smirk behind her hand.
I wished we could just drop it. I still had no confirmation that it’d been Maisie in the closet with Connor, but even the mere possibility made me feel uneasy. No matter who it was, if Jade found out, vengeance was a promise.
“We’re not going to let it go,” Kyle told Connor. “You might as well just say who it was.”
Inexplicably, Connor’s gaze swiveled up to mine.Don’t say it, I willed to him.Don’t say it was Maisie Matthews.
Ultimately, he didn’t have a chance to. “Dude,” Ashton said, peering out the window blinds. His features screwed up. “Who said Landon could bringher?”
“You’re kidding me.” Jade’s voice was practically a growl. “You’vegotto be kidding me. These things are sacred! He can’t justbring?—”
“Just—let’s all take a breath,” I tried to coax, but no one was listening.
And, sure enough, Landon and Lacey walked into the entryway of the living room hand-in-hand, looking… awkward. But then again, I was sure I’d look awkward, too, if I had to walk into a room full of people who fell silent at my appearance.
Jordan, a running back on the team, gave up his seat at the recliner for them to sit down, and after a moment of hesitation, Lacey just plopped down square in Landon’s lap.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, creating a hum against the couch. Jade glanced over, but thankfully wasn’t too interested when I pulled it out.
Mom
I just got here, so whenever you’re ready
not that I’m rushing you
here’s the address:
I’ll hopefully be out of here in ten minutes or less.
I’d changed Logan’s name toMomfor the night, because if anyone were to catch a glimpse of my screen, they wouldn’t think twice about the convo. Jade wouldn’t care enough to really read the texts either.
Yeah, I was patting myself on the back for that stroke of genius.
Except the real genius was going to be coming up with an excuse to get me out of the party early. I wasn’t sure what would be the most believable.
“We were talking about homecoming next week,”Connor told the newly arrived couple. “Did you hear we’re on homecoming court?”
Landon nodded. “You and Jade?”
“Duh,” Jade said with a snort. “But you, too. You and Madison.”
The school had announced the news on the speaker system this morning during homeroom, but really, it wasn’t that big of a surprise. Co-captain of the cheer squad and quarterback not getting on homecoming court? As if.
Riley, however, did not make the cut. I hated that I’d smiled a little about it.
“That’s cool,” Landon said calmly. “So, I guess that means Madison and I are walking together?”
“Yeah,” I said, knowing that if I didn’t interject soon, Jade would start to get suspicious. “I’m sure our parents are planning it all out now, honestly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they rigged it.”
My phone buzzed in my grip, stealing away my attention.
Mom
Is it any fun over there?
ha
Mom
