His eyes dip low. “A friend brought it,” he mumbles.
“Music off,” I call out to the crew, and a few seconds later, the music fades. I have no misgivings that all eyes are on us or that someone is probably filming this as I heard a few people whisper, “Oh my God, it’s Declan Dash,”but chose to ignore it.
“This isn’t even your house, what are you going to do about it?” He stands tall, ready to challenge me.
I pinch my nose, purely entertained yet pissed, and I step closer to him. “Don’t mess with me, Connor, I hold all the cards. Now is the time to send all your little friends packing, after you tell me who the hell is driving so we can ensure everyone gets home safe.” I’m in a death-stare competition with a teenager, and this is not how I thought my night would go.
“You know how it is. Can’t you just let us have a little fun?” he tries again.
My face doesn’t flinch. “No. By all means, have fun, but not when your aunt is being kind enough to take care of you guys for the weekend because your mom and dad are away to enjoy a little quiet time before your new baby brother enters the world, which means, let’s not upset your very pregnant mother. So wrap. This. Shit. Up. Now.”
Connor grumbles but nods to a friend somewhere behind me. “Party’s over.” He sighs, and everyone begins to stir.
“This is how this is going to go. First, nobody gets their phone or keys until I’m 100% sure whoever the hell is driving is sober. Those phones? I don’t want to see one single photo or video from this evening on it. Second, I’m not going to make you snitch who the hell brought the jungle juice, but I want to see every damn drop thrown out. Finally, I don’t care how hungover you are tomorrow, because trust me, you will be, but you know it doesn’t matter, because you’re going to clean this place up, then you’re going to volunteer at your aunt’s flower shop for the next three weeks. I’m sure Nugget will appreciate you cleaning his cage. Now move.” I cross my arms, proud that I’m standing firm, because this is every version of myself that I would have hated at his age.
He groans but gets moving.
* * *
Heaving an exhausting breath,I close the front door behind me after making sure the last of the teenagers are headed home safely. I’m pretty sure it’s the eighteen-year-old with older brothers or a good fake ID who brought the punch, but I’m picking my battles tonight.
Violet’s sitting at the bottom of the stairs with so much appreciation glazing over her eyes that it’s not a surprise when she jumps up to throw her arms around me and plant a kiss on my lips, which I gladly take as my reward.
It’s a long, hard kiss that nearly makes me forget the last hour.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She peppers kisses along my jawline.
“No problem.”
She chortles. “Liar.”
The sound of Connor entering through the back door breaks our attention, yet we seem to forget to detangle our arms. I made him walk Hadley to the property line next door because it’s close. Spencer may kill us, and I wanted to throw Hadley one bone for the evening since she was the easiest of all the kids.
“You know there are baby monitor cameras like everywhere inside this place,” he informs us, rather cool in tone.
Violet backs up like a hot potato. “Shit, forgot about that.”
Connor slides onto a stool. “You guys are such amateurs. Lucky for you, I hacked the system and turned them off earlier this evening. Looks like I saved your little secret budding romance.” He throws his feet up on the counter. “Oh, whatever will you do to repay me for that… or shall I just share the news with Dad tomorrow? He willloveit.”
“Oh my God, the jungle juice created a monster,” Violet mumbles under her breath.
I walk straight to Connor and knock his feet off the counter with my hand. “Blackmailing me? Is that what you are trying to do?” I’m unfazed by his attempt.
“Let’s call it even.” Connor attempts to square off with me.
I wave my finger side to side at him. “Nope. Call it another stupid choice on your evening of bad decisions because…” I step into his space which seems to irritate him. “This game that you want to play, only I can score. First off, you didn’t see anything, your aunt and I are friends who gave one another a hug. Alcohol confuses you, clearly. Also, you know that little hockey career that you want so badly? You’re playing varsity this year, right?” I tap my finger on my chin. “I’m old friends with your coach. In fact, he often calls me for advice on players and rosters, and I would hate to forget your name in a momentary lapse of judgment.”
Connor’s face falls when he realizes that I hold the upper hand. “You wouldn’t.”
“I love a challenge. Oh yeah, and then there is, of course, the fact the Spinners will start training here in Lake Spark. That could be a total bonus for you… if you keep your head above water, that is.”
He growls before he slides off the chair. “Fine. You two win… this round.”
Connor storms off, and then I notice Violet with her jaw low and her eyes wide with amazement.
“Who are you tonight?” Her jaw snaps shut, and her lips curl into a smile. “Are you really friends with his coach?”
“Nah, I have no clue who he is, but Connor doesn’t know that.” I take a few steps and walk straight into her open arms. “He’s going to be a little out of sorts tomorrow morning.”
