Page 60 of Silver Tears

“He fingered you!” She squeals loudly, and I quickly clamp my hand over her very loud voice. “Shush!” I hiss, placing a finger to my lips. “I do not need my brothers hearing this conversation.”

She nods her head in silence, and she grabs a hold of my hands when I release her. “Tell me everything. Did you come? I bet he’s skilled with that tongue of his. I’ve heard the rumours about those three. They are supposed to be gods with their sexual skills. Okay,” she jumps to her feet and pulls me up off the bed. “We have to make you look super-hot tonight. We need to have Collings drooling.”

I groan out loud. Tonight is going to be a disaster. I can feel it in my bones.

* * *

We arrive at the party at around nine. Seb text me for the address and I thought about withholding it, but then knowing him, he’d have found it anyway. The house is crammed with pupils from my old school. Most greet me warmly as I weave my way through the crowd with Rubes taking the lead. I’m wearing a black cargo mini skirt and a cropped band T-shirt that shows off my midriff. As we move through the house, my eyes lock with Ryan’s and I frown when he winks at me and does an appreciative scan of my upper body. Ruby spots Wills, and waves at him and he smiles and waves back. We find ourselves a space in the crowded living room and Ruby pulls out the cider bottles she had stashed in her backpack.

“Here’s to hot boys. May we know them and may we score them!”

I clink my bottle against hers. “If you say so.”

There’s a rumble of excitement through the crowd and I notice people straining on their tiptoes and whispering excitedly to each other. I wonder what is causing such a reaction?

Then I see them. The crowd parts as they move through the house. His eyes find me as he strides through the room, with Archer and Eliza behind him, and Rafe and Vee following at the rear. Just great, as if him coming isn’t bad enough, he’s brought the whole group.

“Woah!” Ruby exclaims, nudging me as we watch them move in our direction. “He’s even hotter in real life. I would let him eat me for breakfast, lunch, and tea.”

Seb looks good. He’s wearing jeans that hug as his muscular thighs. They’re expensive, you can tell by the cut and the way they fit him. On his top half he wears a black fitted T-shirt that teases at those five-star muscles underneath. His blond hair flops into his eyes and he wears that signature confident expression that says, ‘yes I know I’m hot.’

“Hey, Mills,” he greets, coming to a stop when our toes touch. He leans down, cups the back of my neck, and gives me the most toe-curling kiss of my life. “Missed you.”

“You did?” I stutter, still reeling from the kiss and looking up at him, I’m stunned speechless.

“Hi, you must be Seb. I’m Ruby, this one’s best friend,” Ruby announces, pulling his attention away from me.

“Hey, Ruby. I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s good to meet you. This is Archer and Eliza, and my twin Vee, and Rafe,” he informs Ruby, introducing her to everyone. I don’t miss the way Vee’s eyes linger over my best friend. She cups her hand around Rafe’s ear and whispers something to him and he looks my friend over.

“Oh good. You’re all here,” I say, trying to keep the hysteria from my voice. Those around us all whisper and finger point. I hear the Aces mentioned a few times in the conversations going on around us.

“The boys decided if I was crossing over into West Bay territory, I should have them with me,” Seb explains to me.

I frown. “Why? Are you expecting trouble?” The last thing I need is a fight breaking out. I might attend HBA now, but I still live in the same neighbourhood as a lot of my old school friends. I don’t want to feel like an outcast amongst my people.

Seb shakes his head as he does a scan of the room. “No, there shouldn’t be any trouble.” He frowns, and I follow his gaze to Ryan. “So long as Ryan over there isn’t stupid enough to start anything, it’ll all be fine, precious.”

I swear under my breath as I watch my ex and my fake boyfriend glare at each other from across the room. Ryan already looks wasted. He wouldn’t start anything with Seb, though. Not unless he has a death wish. Even Ryan would know it’s a bad idea to piss the Aces off.

Everyone is still staring at the uninvited guests with a mix of wonder and nervous energy. So much for an uneventful night! “Can we go find a quiet corner please, because I’m over all the drama you guys are creating by being here?”

Seb chuckles and urges the others over to a space near the large bay window. Even tucked away here, they dominate the room. The guys from my old school risk glances their way. I can sense their unease. They are all wondering why they are here and if shits about to go down.

Vee sighs and hands her drink to Rafe. “Okay, we all need to loosen up.” She reaches for Ruby’s hand. “I want to dance. Come on, girls!” Vee winks at Ruby as she pulls her towards where people have formed a make-shift dancefloor and, placing her hands on Ruby’s hips, she sways to the beat of the music. Ruby looks at Vee in a trance as she watches her before she smiles and starts dancing.

“Come on,” Eliza says, grabbing my hand. “Let’s leave the boys to their dark, brooding thing and enjoy tonight.”

We join Vee and Ruby and I decide to stop worrying and just have fun. What’s the worst that could happen?

We’ve been dancing for about twenty minutes and I’m hot and sweaty. Every time I’ve chanced a glance at Seb, he’s been watching me. It’s disconcerting and exciting at the same time. I kind of wish he was here dancing with me. I close my eyes, trying to block out those heated gazes he’s sending my way, and concentrate on the beat of the music.

A hand lands on my hip from behind me and I smile. He’s finally stopped watching and come to join me.

“You took your time,” I tease.

“Well, your guard dog has been watching over you all night.”

“Ryan!” I shriek in surprise, stepping away from him, I turn around to face him. “I thought you were Seb.”

---