“Sorry,” I say, slipping into my shoes before she can even blink, “I’ve gotta go.”
“But Tripp—”
“My sister needs a ride from some party.” I’m already digging for my keys.
“That wasn’t Allie on the phone,” she accuses.
“No. Quinn.” I don’t bother softening my voice. “Gotta go before they get into any more trouble.”
“Alright,” she says, resigned. “Call me.”
I nod and then I’m out the door.
It doesn’t take me long to find the party. There are cars parked in the ditch and along the side of the road for half a mile, and the flame from the bonfire glows and flickers in the dark.
I pull out my phone and call Quinn. It rings and rings, but she doesn’t answer. I grumble and climb out of the truck, slamming my door a little harder than necessary.
I stalk toward the fire, searching the crowd of teenagers for Quinn or my sister. Red solo cups litter the ground, plastic crunching under my boots.
“Tripp!” A voice calls out, but it’s Jessica—one grade younger than me at school.
“Hey, have you seen Quinn, or Allie, or Sawyer?”
Her eyes narrow, like she’s disappointed I didn’t come to party. High school parties feel beneath me. Only losers hang around after graduation.
“Uh, I think I saw Porter talking to Quinn,” she says, gesturing vaguely to her right where the bonfire burns bright. “And Sawyer was wiping the floor with everyone at beer pong.”
“Thanks.” I veer off in that direction.
I make my way toward the bonfire and stop abruptly when I spot her. Porter’s draped over Quinn, mouth too close to her ear. Heat spikes through my chest and a wave of annoyance crashes over me.
“Quinn!” I call out, and she startles, wide blue eyes finding mine.
She peels away from Porter, blinking like she’s not sure which of me to walk toward. My chest loosens infinitesimally.
“You look mad.” She wobbles closer. “Don’t be mad—I’m fine. Mostly.”
She stumbles, and Porter steadies her with a hand on her arm.
“Woah, watch your step, baby,” he says with an obnoxious grin.
Something rumbles in my chest, protective and possessive. I step closer and pry his fingers from her arm. “I’ve got her,” I grumble.
“Alright. Just didn’t want her to fall.” Porter lifts both hands like he knows I’d like to strangle him.
“Let’s go find my sister and Sawyer.”
Quinnnods and leads me to a table. Sawyer’s got the entire football team smashed with her beer-pong prowess. These idiots should know not to play against her.
“Party’s over, Sawyer,” I say, scowling.
She whirls on me, pinning me with a lethal glare. “I was about to put this asshole in his place.”
“You’ll have to do that another day. I’m taking you home.”
“Since when don’t you let me have fun?” she grumbles. “You graduated, and now you’re boring as hell. I told Quinn I could drive.”
“You don’t have a driver’s license, Sawyer.”
