When Reed mentioned that he couldn’t find his letterman jacket, I smiled to myself. I knewexactlywhere he’d left that. In the back of Storm Summers’ car! I didn’t say anything to embarrass him; I still regretted being a shit to him earlier.
Later that evening, I was relaxing in my room, listening to music, when there was a knock on my door. A thrill at the thought of it being Phoenix swept through me. But it wasn’t, it was Hudson.
I pulled my door wider and motioned with an arm. “Do you want to come in?”
“Nah, I’m good. When I dropped by Molly’s, she asked me to give you this,” he said, handing me a package. It was wrapped in brown paper with a bow on it.
I saw an opportunity. “Where did you go after school?”
I took the package, and he leaned a broad shoulder on my door frame. “I was out with Phoenix.”
“I know that. Where?”
Being a shrewd fucker, he knew I was fishing. “You’ll have to ask Nix, Harper.”
“You do realize I had to sit in a car with Storm Summers.”
“So, it’s better than walking or taking the bus,” he replied.
“I doubt that. You know how she treated me in the past.”
He shrugged. “People change, Harper. Remember how I used to treat Molly?” And of course, I remembered. Hudson had the whole school against her for a few weeks.
“How are you and Principal Miller now?”
“We agree to disagree on occasion, but we’re OK.” After a beat or two, he added. “Give Storm a chance. Don’t forget, people do shit things when they’re hurting. She isn’t who you think she is.”
What? A massive bitch.Pfft.And how the fuck was one of the richest and prettiest girls in Newporthurting? The only pain she felt was when she had her eyebrows plucked.
You said you’d give her a chance, remember.
Hudson was still attempting to play to my sympathies. “You don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. I’m sure Storm has issues, just like everyone else.” Of course she did. Deciding what outfit to wear each day for college; what a conundrum!
I drew the subject back to the bane of my life. “How about Phoenix’s issues. He was quiet at dinner. I know he’s opened his file.” Shit, the words were out before I could stop them. I had betrayed Molly’s confidence.
Hudson closed his eyes and rested his head against the wood. “Women. Can’t trust them as far as you could throw them.” Which was ridiculous, as Hudson could easily throw Molly and me both at the same time.
“She didn’t say anything else. It was mentioned in passing. So, don’t go all crazy on her ass.”
“I know you’re only asking because you care, Harper, but it’s not my shit to share, OK?”
“Yes. Fine. I get it.” I didn’t.
“He’ll tell you when he’s ready. Just give him time.”
Hud then left, and I closed the door, padding over to my bed with the strange package from Molly.
As I tore it open, I saw it was one of Molly’s bathing suits. A bikini, the gold one we had bought during a shopping trip the previous year. There was a note,daringme to wear it to Storm’s party.
I gave myself a talking to as I stood in front of my mirror, naked after my shower. Come on, Harper, you're almost seventeen; you only live once. These are supposed to be the best years of your life. God knows you’ve experienced your fair share of shit ones.
Pushing Phoenix and his guarded shit to one side, I made my decision.
I had spent too much time off the radar and unnoticed. It was time to come out of my shell. Phoenix could shove his warning to other boys up his perfect ass. If I wanted to screw the entire football team, that wasmydecision.
I would go to Storm’s pool party as a confident woman, let my hair down, and enjoy myself like the teenager I was supposed to be.
SIX
