I listen closer, and my head naturally bobs. “Imagine Dragons are a solid choice. Heard they put on a good concert.”
Violet focuses on me for a second. “I wanted to go, but tickets are hard to get.”
I scoff. “I’ll make it happen. Now let’s focus.”
We both examine the scene again.
“There are boys and girls, just great.” She scowls. We both angle our heads as we observe the jungle outside. “I’m pretty positive that make-out central is happening over on the chaise lounge by the pool.”
I grimace at the scene, but I search for Connor who is sitting on the top step of the pool, laughing as someone passes him a drink. Then his eyes dart across the pool, and I recognize Hadley, the next-door neighbor, who is Spencer’s daughter.
“Could be worse, at least it’s not our guy making out. What do we do about Hadley?”
“Sneak her back to her house, maybe I text April, but Hadley is harmless. She has a crush on Connor, so she stops by a lot. What are the chances they’re all drinking alcohol?”
“Uh…” An awkward sound is the only thing I manage to respond with.
Violet groans. “I hope zero, but yeah, sixteen-year-old me knows better. I mean, I think Connor is responsible enough not to drink, but I can’t say the same for his friends.”
“The boat keys?”
Violet shakes her head. “Ford keeps the keys locked in his home office.”
I blow out a long breath. “There is only way to do this…”
“Turn off the electricity?” she retorts.
“I’ll be the bad guy.”
“What?” She looks at me.
I nod. “Yeah, I’ll be the bad guy and go out there and shut this shit down right away.”
“We’re a team in this.” She wants to debate.
“There is also a sleeping toddler upstairs and a Labrador hyped up on who knows what.”
She tilts her shoulder up. “Puck is always hyped up, he likes people.”
I comb my fingers through my hair. “I’m going in.”
Violet protests, but I’m already enraged on adrenaline. I kiss her forehead then walk away, noticing the fruit bowl, and I empty it before bringing it with me as I dart outside through the sliding doors.
The moment I’m outside, the music grows loud and is mixed with laughter. I charge straight for Connor, demanding on my journey that phones and keys go in the bowl to anyone who crosses my path, and I ignore the eyes all following my line of travel.
“Connor!” I yell out.
He glances up and then grins. “Hey, Declan, what are you doing—?”
I interject with a seething voice. “Ending this. Now.”
Connor stands up and seems to be unfazed. “Come on, it’s just a little gathering.”
I yank the plastic cup from his hand. “Really?” I sniff the cup, and it smells like a mix of Kool-Aid and alcohol. “What the hell is this?”
“Just punch.”
My eyes grow bold. “Screw that. We’re not going to play stupid right now, so don’t even try it. Hurry up, everyone, phones and keys in the bowl,” I call out, then resume my conversation with Connor. “Where did you get this?”
