I roll my eyes. He won’t stop bugging me about this stupid dance.
“I’m not going. I’m not sure which part of that statement is so confusing for you.”
Ainsley gasps. “What? Jazz! You have to go to homecoming! It’s our senior year! Homecoming is one of the only things I actually enjoy in this school. It’s fun getting all dressed up for the night.”
“I don’t think it’s fun getting dressed up for the night.” Bentley winks at me. “But I would for you, babe. Then after the dance, we can get undressed together.”
I don’t miss the way Kingston’s eyes narrow in disapproval at his best friend. It’s been a week since Reed’s party and Bentley hasn’t backed off on the flirting one bit. I swear he’s doing it to fuck with Kingston, who is still being a complete Neanderthal. With the exception of our outing with my sister last weekend, I’ve been avoiding alone time with him. Ainsley’s been driving me to school and Frank takes me home, despite Kingston’s protests, so we only see each other during lunch, like right now, and in Lit class. I know it’s only a matter of time before he bulldozes me, but I’m enjoying the reprieve.
I give Bentley a wry look. “As sweet as the offer is, Bentley, I’m still gonna pass.”
“That doesn’t work for me,” Ainsley whines. “C’mon, Jazz, you have to go—it’s the best part of the week. You need to say yes and then we need to bust ass to find you the perfect dress. I’m sure the racks are practically empty by now since we have just over two weeks until homecoming.”
“What about the lake house?” Reed asks. “Now, that’s the best part.”
She giggles. “Well, that’s a given. But I want to wear a pretty dress and dance before that.”
My brows pinch together. “What lake house?”
Bentley lays his arm over my shoulders. “There’s a tiny little mountain town about ninety minutes away. It has a big lake and badass log cabins. We party it up until the next day. Lots of booze, weed, and general debauchery. Three of my favorite things.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I stash his comment about debauchery in the back of my mind. “Who’s we?”
Kingston pushes Bentley’s arm away and hooks his foot under my chair, pulling me closer to him. “Ains, Reed, Bent, and I always stay in my family’s cabin.”
“That’s it?” I ask. “Just you guys?”
Ainsley speaks up when her brother remains silent. “Give her the whole story, dickwad.”
He flips her off. “Your dad also owns a cabin up there; it’s right next to ours.”
“So, Peyton will be there,” I surmise.
Kingston nods. “Yes, but so will a lot of other people. And she knows not to fuck with you.”
“We’ll see how long that lasts,” I mutter.
He jerks his head toward Peyton’s table. “See? She’s not even looking over here. She’s probably pretending you don’t exist. If Peyton knows what’s good for her, she’ll keep it that way.”
She has been doing that. I’ve run into her a few times at the house this week and every time, she heads in the opposite direction the moment she sees me. It doesn’t stop her from sending scathing looks my way or muttering insults under her breath, but she is physically staying away. Something tells me she’s just biding her time though. A girl like her doesn’t give up that easily. Unless...
I tilt my head to the side. “Did you hurt her?”
“No, I didn’t hurt her.” Kingston scoffs. “Jesus, thanks for your vote of confidence. I didn’t do anything. I just reminded her that if she or any of her minions fucked with you, I’d take that as a personal attack on me. Peyton may act obtuse sometimes, but she’s not stupid. None of them are.”
I chew on that for a moment. “I don’t have money to spend on a dress and I’m sure as shit not about to ask Daddy Warbucks. I’ll go to the lake but not the dance.”
“I’ll cover the dress,” Kingston grumbles. “And whatever the fuck else you need. Consider it a birthday present.”
My mouth gapes. “How do you know about that?”
Kingston gives me a look that says, Really?
“Wait,” Ainsley interjects. “When’s your birthday?”
“The day of the dance,” Kingston answers.
“September twenty-fifth,” I reply at the same time.
Ainsley’s eyes widen. “We’ll celebrate your birthday at the lake! I’ll get you a cake and everything.”
Kingston speaks quietly against my ear. “We have a standing date with your sister—every Sunday unless you say otherwise. We can come back from the lake early, pick her up, and spend the day in Santa Monica if you want.”
Tears prick at my eyes. I was expecting to spend my birthday weekend alone, being consumed by grief. Now, I had two people offering to make my mom’s absence a little less painful. How can I say no to that?
I sigh. “Okay, I’m in.”
Ainsley claps her hands excitedly. “We should all go to the dance together!”
“I’m good with that.” Reed takes a bite of his pizza.
“Me too. But only if Jazzy Jazz saves lots of room for me on her dance card.” Bentley glances at Kingston and smirks. “We all know how much she loves dancing with me.”
I throw a fry at Bentley’s face. “Asshat.”
He blows me a kiss in response.
“Fine,” Kingston grumbles.
“Awesome!” Ainsley says. “It’s settled then. Jazz, I don’t have rehearsal on Fridays, so we’ll go shopping after school.”
Okay then. I guess I’m going to homecoming.
WELL, TODAY’S THE DAY. Homecoming. Also, the day I’m officially considered a legal adult.
Sperm Donor is out of town again—no surprise there—but he did shock me by having Ms. Williams deliver a birthday gift. Normally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting anything from him, especially knowing he’s not the man he’d like the general public to believe he is. I still don’t know exactly what’s going on there, but Kingston promised he’d tell me everything soon.
That said, Charles’ gift is actually something useful and as much as I hate to admit... thoughtful. He paid for driving lessons so I can get my license. A brand new black Audi SUV is sitting in the garage with my name on it—booster seat included—just waiting for me to pass the test. I already called them and set up my first lesson. The sooner I get my license, the sooner I’ll be able to get to Belle without relying on someone else.
A month ago, I would’ve been plotting my escape from the Callahan estate. But now... now I don’t think it’s all that bad. Don’t get me wrong, that house is colder than the arctic. Charles is never around, Peyton is... well, Peyton. And ever since Madeline found out that Kingston and I have been hanging out, she’s not nearly as friendly as she was initially. I’m perfectly okay with their lack of warmth though. I have no need for fake or selfish people in my life.
Belle, Ainsley, and even the guys, are enough. Over the last two weeks, things have been... good. Peaceful. Not a single attempt to harass me has been made. After school, sometimes I watch Ainsley rehearse, but other times, I hang out with the guys. They may come across as irredeemable assholes, but when they’re together outside of school, they’re really just normal teenage guys. They eat all the time, play video games, watch sports, party, or just chill. There’s a brotherhood between them that’s endearing—they’re fiercely loyal to one another. All three of them have an obvious soft spot for Ainsley and somehow, that’s extended to me as well, especially with Kingston.