He’s so complicated.
I sigh and Aunt Ruthie smiles.
“Such a heavy sigh.”
I nod. “There’s a boy who I’m trying to understand but can’t. He was one person when we were away from everyone at the Friday bonfire, then I see him at school and he’s a total douche. I didn’t know who he was. We were Jack and Jill.” I laugh, and Aunt Ruthie joins me. “He ruined the perfect memory of Jack and Jill’s night. He’s not at all who I thought he was.”
“Maybe he is. Maybe he just uses that jerk personality as a defense mechanism.” Did I mention Aunt Ruthie is a psychiatrist? It’s why I haven’t told her about that night. I almost wish I hadn’t now.
“Maybe.”
I hear a horn honking and grab my backpack.
“See you in the morning,” Aunt Ruthie says. “Be safe.”
“I will. I promise.”
Audrey’s decked out in black and it does crazy things to that wild ginger mane of hers. Isla is subtler in a light blue. She really does look like a real-life Barbie. Here I am. I’m so lame compared to them—even if I dressed in an outfit both of my friends approve of.
“I love the horns,” Audrey announces with a grin.
“I’m feeling devilish.”
“I have a feeling tonight is going to be entertaining,” Isla says.
“Not if I have anything to say about it. I’m going to keep my head down and enjoy the people who I actually like. The douchebags can stay on their own side of the pool,” I declare.
“That’s so not going to happen. You know that, right?” Audrey asks.
“Really? You can’t just leave me alone in my land of delusion?”
She laughs. “No. I’m looking forward to devilish Jillie.”
We park and walk to the door, not ringing the bell or knocking, we just walk in. Oookay then. The house isn’t as packed as I imagined it would be—and I spoke too soon. We reach the kitchen and holy smokes. It’s wall-to-wall people coming in and out of the sliding screen door.
Brent makes his way over to Audrey with a smile. “Hey, babe.” He kisses her sweetly and she gets all girlie. This side of Audrey is different, one she reserves for the man in her life.
“There’s a keg out by the pool and some punch. There’s also soda and water if you don’t want to imbibe tonight,” he informs us.
“Forget the daquiri’s. I’m having punch,” I announce and head toward the backyard.
“Uh oh,” I hear Isla mutter, and Audrey snickers.
“What am I missing?” Brent asks.
I don’t hear the answer because the music is loud out here. I make my way to the tubs of punch. Thankfully, there’s ice tonight. If it gets watered down a bit maybe I won’t get wasted so quickly.
I turn with my red cup in hand and scan the scene before me. An in-ground pool that’s way bigger than Aunt Ruthie’s is just off the deck. If you walk the width, the backside of the yard is perfectly-manicured with an above-ground fire pit made of brick that matches those that make up the front walkway.
I’m lost in thought, looking at the foliage, and wondering just how rich Brent’s parents are when someone bellows, “Foxy J!”
I look up and laugh. Elan. He’s already making his way to me.
“Hey there, Hottie E.”
He nods. “I like it. It’s already pretty crazy here.”
“I can see that. I wanted to swim, but I’m not going in there while they play volleyball. With my luck, the ball would smack me in the nose like in Meet The Parents.”
