“Chanel’s family built a house in that big subdivision on the hill,” Melissa announces.
“Aubrey lives up there,” Leah says.
“Yeah, I live on Timber,” Aubrey says with a tight smile, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
“Me too. I live in the big white and red brick house as you turn onto the street. Which house is yours?” Chanel asks.
Aubrey picks at a button on the lounger. “It’s the white house at the end of the street.”
“The one with the pool antennis courts?” Chanel asks.
Aubrey gives her a tight smile. “That’s the one.”
Chanel turns to me. “Where do you live, Hannah?”
“I live in Elkwood estates on Pine Haven Road.” Why is she asking me where I live? She was at my house last night. Unless she didn’t realize I live there.
“Oh, okay. I’m still trying to figure out where everything is in town. Where does Ford live?”
Aubrey, Leah, and June all glance at Chanel but then stare at me, waiting for me to answer. “He lives on Bitterroot Circle. It’s on the other side of the lake, close to the boat docks.”
“So, he lives on the lake?” Chanel asks.
“Yeah. It’s like Tyler’s house. Only he has a bigger beach area,” I say like it’s no big deal because it’s not.
“You’ve been to his house?” Chanel asks. I’m not sure what she’s doing, but I don’t like it. She has some ulterior motive. I just can’t figure it out.
“Yep.” I’m about to ask her why when she looks past me at the house. Coming out of the sliding doors are Alison and Bree.
“Over here.” Chanel waves at them.
You’ve got to be kidding me. I glance around the backyard for Ford. He’s playing volleyball with all the guys. He looks like he’s having fun. I’ll just deal with Bree and Alison.
“Hi, ladies.” Bree singsongs in her annoying voice. “How is everyone today?” She sweeps her gaze over us, not making eye contact with anyone.
I glance at Alison, but she won’t look at me. Melissa leans in, whispering something to her, and Alison laughs like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard. I glance at Leah and Aubrey, and I can tell they’re uncomfortable.
“So, what are we all gossiping about this afternoon?” Bree asks.
“Clark was telling us about Ford’s house.” Chanel points to me. A chill runsthrough me when Chanel calls me Clark. That isn’t a name people call me unless they’ve heard others refer to me that way, and June calls me Hannah.
“Um—you asked me if I’d been there. I said yes.” Okay, this is quickly turning into something I don’t want a part of.
“Chanel dated Ford last summer,” Melissa says, smacking her gum.
It’s eerily quiet, so I finally say, “I heard that.” Since when is a one-night stand considered dating? If that’s the case, I’m practically engaged to Ford.
“Who told you?” Chanel looks at me accusingly.
“Ford told me.” I glance across the yard again at the guys, laughing and having fun.
“Oh, Ford talks about me.” Chanel bats her lashes.
“Hannah and Ford are boyfriend and girlfriend,” June blurts. Her voice has a hard edge to it. She’s ready to be done with this conversation as much as I am. I grab her hand, squeezing it.
“What are we in the fifth grade?” Chanel laughs.
“If Clark and Ford are boyfriend and girlfriend, does that mean they’ve held hands?” Bree laughs.
