“Well, we weren’t going to say anything until after Wesley’s party, but we’ve decided to give it a shot!”
I smile. “Finally!”
“Well, what the hell, now I feel like I need to date someone in the group,” Annica says, looking at Jake, Sam, and Asher.
“I’d rather die,” Asher says. Jake and Sam turn around sipping their drinks.
I feel a hand wrap around my waist from behind. “You look so beautiful,” Wes says in my ear.
“Thank you.” I smile, taking a deep breath, but in my mind, I’m counting down the hours until I can be off this island and away from both McCavern boys. Or maybe just away from Asher. If he’s gone, there’s no one distracting me from the McCavern I should be with.
“Let’s talk to my parents,” he says, grabbing my hand, leading me into the crowd. We pass groups of influential men and women making idle chatter while Frank Sinatra plays in the background and I glance up at the sky as storm clouds form above. We come upon Mr. and Mrs. McCavern talking to a middle-aged man in a beige blazer.
“There he is,” Wesley’s dad says. “The man of the hour.”
“You guys remember Sloane?” Wes says, stepping aside. His parents both give me tight-lipped smiles.
“You’re Asher’s girl, right?” his dad asks.
“Well,” Wes starts. “Not anymore. I mean, she never actually was...” He trails off.
Wesley’s mom looks between us. “So, are you two seeing each other now?”
“We are,” Wes says, putting an arm around me.
“Mm.” She takes a sip of her champagne and walks away, leaving us with Wesley’s dad, who gives us a nod before following after his wife.
“Great,” I say. “She hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you,” Wes says.
“Was she that way toward Marissa?”
“Speaking of Marissa,” he says. “She’s here.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I start to look around, but I don’t see her.
“Come on, let’s dance.” Wes takes my hand as a slow song starts. A few other couples join us on the dance floor. Wes pulls me close to him as we sway to the music but I’m searching the crowd for his ex. I find her by the bar, talking to Wesley’s mom. Marissa introduces her to someone, and when he turns around it’s... “Colton?” I say aloud.
Wes looks at me, confused. “What?”
“Colton Austi is Marissa’s date? How do they even know each other?”
Wesley’s dad interrupts us on the floor. “Wes, come meet the mayor real quick.”
Wes looks over at his father. “The mayor?” We stop dancing,but his hand is still around my waist. “Can it wait until after the song?”
A hand clasps onto Wesley’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, man,” Asher says. “I can take over. Wouldn’t want Sloane to be left alone on the dance floor.”
“Great. Wesley, let’s go.” His dad puts a hand to his back. Wes opens his mouth to say something.
“Yeah, Wes, go on. I got this.” Asher puts a hand around my waist and holds out the other for me to take.
I hesitate.
The girl who calls me a murderer online is talking to my boyfriend’s mother, with my ex’s brother as her date, who also calls me a murderer to anyone who will listen.
“Sloane?” Asher prompts. Wes glances over his shoulder, giving me a weary look as he’s led into the crowd. I sigh, and give Asher my hand, placing my other one on his chest. “You seem anxious,” Asher says.
