“Absolutely. No hard feelings. Clean slate, here we come.”
I should get a BAFTA for my performance. Both Molly and Storm squealed their delight and clapped their hands. Please save me from the antics of girly girls.
And then Storm invited me to a mixer event that she was throwing over the weekend. It wasn’t a sorority thing; Storm thought herself way too good for living the Greek life. It was being held at her house with a mixer theme for friends and associates of her father. It was also her parents' anniversary. Had I not trusted Molly implicitly, I would have suspected Storm was up to no good, maybe inviting me so she could embarrass me in front of the upper crust of Newport.
Due to the good weather, she explained that the party would be held outside in the gardens of their estate. And of course, the Olympic-sized swimming pool was mentioned. Unlike the small one, Molly and I would paddle in at her house.
“If you do come, bring a bathing suit,” Storm added. “Daddy has invited some important people and so you never know, you may get to meet your future husbands.”
Molly and I exchanged an amused glance.
“Sounds cool,” I lied, as making idle conversation with the offspring of dull political types wasn’t my bag. I had never been a social climber type.
“You could ride withHudsonand me?” Molly added brightly. She was clearly reminding Storm that she was off the market. Great. Gooseberry time. Ihatedbeing the third wheel.
Stop being ungrateful, my conscience kicked in.
“Or I can get Daddy’s new driver to pick you up? He’s called Jacob, and he’s as fit as fuck. He used to be in the US Marine Corps.” I wondered if Reed had met the elusive Jacob.
“No, it’s fine. If I come, I’ll ride with Hudson and Mols.”
“Please tell me Hudson doesn’t still drive that shit-box Ford of his?” Storm said, turning her nose up. I recalled that Hudson once offered Storm a ride when her car was being serviced. I had been sitting in the back and remembered it well. With a horrified look, she’d asked, “Is it safe in there?” It was either Hudson’s wheels or walking home in the rain. She chose the car. That’s Storm Summers living on the edge for you.
“He does and he loves it,” Molly replied proudly.
“Has he nailed you in it yet?” Storm whispered with a dirty grin.
Molly blushed profusely. “If that means what I think it means, then no, he hasn’t.” I was so relieved that was her answer. The next time I set foot in Hudson’s wheels, if they’d had sex in there, would be—err—let me see, never.
Storm composed herself and backed peddled. “Good. Having sex in cars is so last season.” No doubt she had a fair amount of experience there. She then added. “So, what do you say, Harper? Will you come?”
I drew in a deep breath. “Will all my brothers be there?”
“They’ve been invited, and so I hope so. The more fit guys there, the better.” I knew her ‘hope so’ only extended towards Hudson and Reed; that one wasn’t a head-scratcher. Storm and Phoenix argued more than Phoenix and me. Almostlike real sibling rivalry, and I had witnessed whatthatlooked like with Dalton and Daisy.
Fuck it. What’s the worst that could happen? And, who knew what types of things I would find lying about there? Maybe I could add to my collection? Taking something of Storm's would never make me feel guilty. She had way too much shit anyway.
The girl had been spoiled and cosseted her entire privileged life. Entitled people annoyed me. It was one of those peeves that Phoenix and I both shared. Funny, considering I used to be one of them before my parents died. But that’s the difference, I knew what loss felt like; to have something only for it to be snatched away. I blamed that intense need I felt to steal on that very thing. I wasn’t stupid; I’d Googled kleptomania. I just preferrednotto diagnose myself.
“Here you go,” Storm said as she steered the car over to the sidewalk by my house.
“Thanks for the ride,” I replied, and that’s when I saw it. Considering my earlier mean girl thought about no one ever wanting to marry Storm, there was a large diamond ring on her engagement finger. It was huge, and I wondered if it was a real diamond.
After being so cold with her in the car, I decided to leave with a compliment. “Nice ring.”
“Oh yes, Storm. That’s gorgeous,” Molly echoed, grabbing her hand.
Storm smiled at me in the rear-view mirror, glanced down at her hand, and then pulled it from Molly’s. “Thanks. It’s just a dress ring,” she explained, sliding it off her finger and placing it in the small shelf that sat under the heating dials for the car. “It sometimes makes my finger green,” she added, explaining why she’d just removed it. I felt that familiar urge swell inside me. If it were just a dress ring, she wouldn’t miss it if I took it. I filed away its existence and then cursed myself. I wassupposedto be trying to stop.
After saying my goodbyes, I left the car, waving them off and scolding myself for those bad thoughts of mine. I aimed to get my issue under control, not fuel it by fleecing the Summers’ household. That would be fun, though.
A trickle of reality seeped in, telling me I needed to let my ill feelings towards the ex-cheer captain go. Storm and Molly were friends, and if I wanted to hang out with Mols, I’d have to accept that.
As I let myself into the house, I met Reed coming down the stairs. He was wearing jogging bottoms and no top. He must have been working out as he was sweaty, his hair damp and sticking to his head. The large, scary wolf tattoo he shared with his brothers sat on his shoulder. Its eyes would watch you no matter where you went, but it didn’t appear as fierce as Phoenix’s, even though they were identical.
“Hey,” he puffed, catching his breath.
“Hey, yourself?”
