Then reality crashes back in when Ingram’s voice breaks through. “Sterling wasn’t lying. They really are both banging her. How gross.”
I pull away from him and note a smirk playing on his lips. I slap his cheek. “You’re such an asshole.”
I jump up and run out of the room, making it to the front door when I hear footsteps following. I don’t hesitate, just take off running all the way down the fancy drive and right out the front gate. Instead of turning left toward our house, I turn right. Once I’m down the street and around the corner, I lean against a tree.
My fingers find my lips on their own accord. They’re still tingling.
What kind of game is he playing?
∞∞∞
“How long have you been sitting down here?” Victoria’s voice behind me startles me.
“What the fuck, V? You’re a fucking ninja.” I clutch my chest.
“I know.” She gives me a smug smile. “Now answer the question.”
I’m down by the lake behind the Yateses’ home that also backs up to Alice’s house. After calming down, I decided not to go back there. I wasn’t ready for the questions I knew would accompany my arrival. Instead, I wandered around the property until I found this tree facing the water. I don’t know why, but water has always calmed me.
“Not too long, I don’t think.” I shrug.
“Are you okay?” She slides down the tree and sits next to me, staring to the side instead of at the water.
“Fine, why?” Even I can hear the bite in my tone. I sigh. “Sorry, V. I didn’t mean to be a bitch.”
“It’s okay. You ran out of there awfully quick. Tinsley’s worried about you.”
I feel a pang of guilt.
“I’m fine. I’ll go back and talk to her in a minute. I just want a few more minutes of quiet.”
She doesn’t respond, instead sitting in silence with me. After a few moments, she speaks quietly.
“He came after you.”
“What?” I finally fix my gaze on her, but she’s looking away.
“Reed. After you ran out, he came after you. Ingram said some nasty things about you, but he stood up for you, then followed you out the door. We haven’t seen him since. I assumed I would find you two together.”
I refuse to let my mind wander to what she’s implying. “As you can see, I’m sitting here alone, or I was before you came down. I haven’t seen him. I didn’t even know he followed me.”
She finally turns to look at me. “Be careful, S. I don’t know much about Reed because he’s so closed off. No one does, but I do know he’s never stood up for a girl, and he most definitely has never chased after one. I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but whatever it is, please be careful.”
I snort. “That’s putting it lightly. He’s a prick. You want to know what he told me tonight?”
“What?”
“That he knows I’m playing games. I wish he would clue me in on these games. All I want to do is graduate and start my life again.”
She reaches over and grabs my hand. “Don’t listen to him. He has no clue what’s going on. He’s used to running things. I think you scare him a little. You don’t fit into one of his neatly stacked boxes. There’s no one like you in this crowd.”
“You mean you don’t have any trailer trash whores hanging around? Just me?” I can’t help my sarcasm.
“You’re not trailer trash or a whore. You’re a good person, Sage. You just don’t conform to their bullshit. Honestly, I wish I could do the same.”
“You can. You just have to learn not to give a shit what others think. Live life for yourself, not anyone else.”
She chuckles. “That’s easier said than done. When you grow up in this world, you’re taught from an early age what expectations you have to meet. You didn’t meet Grandpa Covington, but he was the worst about it. The expectations he set for us were more often than not far above anything you could meet. I think that’s why your mom took you away from here. She wanted you to be able to enjoy your life outside of the box you would have been forced into.”
A somber mood falls over us.
“Maybe you’re right.” After a beat, I continue. “She never told me about you. Or Alice really. She would mention her occasionally, but it always made her sad. I always wondered why she left. Now I’ll never know.”
“You should talk to Mom about it. I know she knows more than she’s saying. When I used to ask, she would tell me that it didn’t concern me. I bet if you asked, she would tell you.”
“Maybe. I don’t think I’m ready for that heavy of a conversation yet.”
“Well, when you are, she’ll be there. I can promise you that.”
I give her a small smile. Then, to lighten the conversation, I ask something I’m curious to know. “So, what did Ingram do when Reed snapped at her?”
She lets out a boisterous laugh. “She looked like she was sucking on a lemon. Then she stomped off huffing. Tinsley told her this party wasn’t for children, so if she wanted to act like one, she could leave.”
“No way! Tinsley said that?”
“Yep, so Ingram left. She tried to get her two minions to go with her, but Poppy decided to stay behind. Last I saw, she was sneaking off with Keaton.”
After our laughter dies down, I move to stand. Victoria follows me. “Thanks for coming to find me, V.”
“Always, S.” She links her arm through mine. “That’s what family does. You ready to go back?”
“I suppose.”
We laugh and chat about nonsense all the way back to the house. Once we near, the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I glance to the side of the steps and notice Reed standing there, watching me. Victoria keeps chatting as we climb the steps, so I just roll my eyes at him. He raises his brow as if to say “Really?”
I tear my gaze from his and follow Victoria back into the party. As soon as we step inside, she yells, “T! Guess who I found!”
Tinsley comes running from the side room and squeals when she sees me. “S! I was so worried about you. Where did you go? Did Reed find you?”
Before I can say anything, Victoria responds for me. “Jesus, Tins. Give the girl a moment. She was taking a break by the lake without Reed.”
I shoot Victoria a grateful smile, then look back at Tinsley. “Sorry I left. I’m not used to being around so many people for prolonged periods of time. I guess I forgot my manners.”
Tinsley waves her hand in dismissal. “No biggie. Keaton said we had to break up the party anyways. A lot of them went home.” Then she turns these puppy dog eyes on me. “Sage, you know you’re one of my favorite people, right?”
I raise a questioning brow. “Really?”
“Yeah, but you’re way cooler than the people here.” She looks at Victoria. “No offense, V.”
“None taken. I agree. I have a bomb-ass cousin.” Victoria winks at me.
“You do. Anyway, I was wondering if you would be willing to stay over. I’m not ready to call it a night, and Keat said you and V could stay for a slumber party.”