“That’s fucking ridiculous.” I turn and walk across the room. “Go to your stupid party and leave me alone.”
“She goes to Legion,” I hear Braden say. “She’s the fucking enemy.”
I whip around. “Then she shouldn’t be doing your laundry and cleaning your house.”
“I agree. But my dad won’t fucking listen.”
Trystan walks over to me. “Forget about that and let’s go. It’s better than sitting around here all night. And they’ll have food. Likeyourkind of food — burgers, chips, brownies.” He grins. “No protein bars.”
“Sounds great, but I’m not hungry. And I really am tired. I just want to sleep. Are you guys gonna be out all night?”
“Probably,” Trystan says. “Especially if Dad’s not gonna be here.”
“What’s with you and Peyton?” Braden asks. “I saw you sitting with her and Alyssa.”
“Yeah? So? You have a problem with them too?”
“Not with Alyssa, but Peyton’s batshit crazy.”
“But she’s freaking hot,” Trystan says.
“Ignore him,” Braden says. “He wants to fuck her.”
“Why do you think she’s crazy?” I ask.
“She fucked the principal to raise her grades,” Braden says. “The guy was in his sixties.”
“He was really that old?” I say. “Yeah, that’s crazy.”
“She makes shit up,” Braden says. “Don’t believe anything she says.”
“But she’s part of your group, isn’t she? She said she’s a cheerleader.”
“She is, but she never actually does anything at the games. She always makes up some excuse for why she can’t. I’m telling you, she’s fucking crazy.”
“I’m not friends with her,” I say. “I was just sitting by her so I wouldn’t be stuck sitting next to your dad all night in the parents’ section.”
“I can’t believe he just left like that,” Braden mutters. “My own father didn’t even stick around to make sure I was okay.”
“You knew he wouldn’t,” Trystan says.
“Did he say anything on the way home?” Braden asks me. “Did he even act concerned?”
“Yeah, definitely,” I say, knowing it’s a lie but not wanting Braden to feel bad. It’s clear he’s hurt that his dad left without checking on him. I don’t need to make him feel worse.
“You’re lying,” Braden says. “If he gave a shit, he wouldn’t have gone to LA tonight.”
“He knew you guys would be at a party,” I say. “He said he wouldn’t even see you until tomorrow.”
“Let’s go,” Braden says to Trystan.
There’s a tapping noise on the sliding glass door.
“What was that?” Braden says.
“Probably the wind.” I race to the slider and peek out the side of the drapes. Jackson is standing there.Shit!
“Is someone there?” Braden asks.
