“Got it.” He doesn’t seem bothered, but he stays quiet.
When Brooke joins us again, she motions to the house, “Let’s go inside. It’s too hot out here.”
“Agreed.” Everett stands, holding out his hand, and I place mine in it before we follow Brooke inside and up the staircase. There’s a sitting area that isn’t as crowded as downstairs but there’re still people everywhere as we squeeze onto one of the sofas. Brooke doesn’t remain seated for long before she’s twirling around the makeshift dance floor here. The air-conditioning makes it much better though. Everett ends up talking to some guy who’s in one of my classes about football.
It’s not long before I spot him. Luca. All his buddies and his brother are around him, but his severe eyes are fixated on me. Or more like where Everett has his arm draped across my shoulder even though he’s focused on his sporty talk with the guy whose name I still can’t recall. All I can think about is the idiot within too close of a proximity. And the way he’s acting reminds me of his stance on the balcony. He wants me to know he’s nearby and watching. It takes everything I have not to lift my finger and flip him off. Bastard.
“What about you, Ivy? Ready for the Belgrave versus Willowbrook matchup?” Classmate Dude asks.
“Oh, she’s a Bulldog fan for sure. Loyal to the core,” Everett announces as I hear a loud chuckle across from me. So does Everett because his arm tenses before he pulls me a little closer as several partygoers look to Luca.
“What’s your issue, man?” Everett asks.
But it’s Remy who chimes in first. “No way she’ll root for the losing team. Right, Walker?”
I ignore Remy because I can feel the tension as Everett stays focused on the jackass who has a smug look on his face as he answers, “Just don’t think you know yourbest friendas well as you think.”
Everett laughs, his arm tightening. “I know her better than anyone. Especially some random dude who devotes way too much time to spying on his neighbors.”
Cain is the only one who seems to want to bring the situation down as he asks, “You’re the quarterback for Willowbrook High, right?”
“Yes,” Everett replies, earning a superior sneer from Luca, and it makes me cringe.
Luca torments me, but I don’t want him to do it to Everett too. “Stop it.”
“Okay,” Luca agrees but I know the look. He’s not going to let this go. He’s looking to make trouble.
“Don’t worry about me, Ivy. I can handle it. After all, we’ve been friends since practically birth. No one can compete with that.”
Fuck. Luca takes it as a challenge because that’s what he thinks everything is. “Let’s find out.” He stands and walks over but completely ignores Everett, his eyes on me like he doesn’t exist.
Everett rises as I do the same, positioning myself in between them.
“Whoop, showdown time,” Remy cackles. “Previous boyfriend versus current boyfriend.”
“Wrong on both counts,” I tell him before I place my hand on Everett’s arm. “Let’s go, Everett.”
Luca moves behind me and presses his body against my back. “Scared? Because you know he wouldn’t be able to find you even if you’re in front of his face.”
I swing my elbow back, connecting with his stomach. “Shut up.”
His mouth is next to my ear as I hear the smile in his voice. “I could find you in a crowded room, blindfolded, without you saying a word.”
Everett shouts, “Get away from her.”
But Luca remains in place, his arm securely fastened around my stomach. My breath catches as he hums, “I’ll always find you, Ivy.”
I’m unable to respond before Everett yells, “What the fuck is your deal, man?”
Remy adds, “This is getting good.”
Brooke and Cain both say a form of “Stop” and “Let’s get back to the party.” While Micah sits with the same smug look that Luca gets when he’s up to no good.
“This is bullshit,” I state, my voice coming out shaky. “I’m leaving.”
Luca doesn’t relent, his body stays molded against mine, his nose against the back of my ear as he continues. “I can feel you even when you’re not touching me. And when you do touch me, I know it’s you.”
He doesn’t release me, but I finally push out of his hold, and I see he’s not looking at me but at Everett.
