Wicked Liars (Windsor Academy 1)

I sigh. “I’m holding you to that.”

“Here we are. C’mon, let’s drop our bags inside.”

Ainsley’s Lambo comes to a stop and she shifts it into park. There’s a bunch of cars here already. I spot Bentley’s and Reed’s but I don’t see either one of Kingston’s yet. He said he had a few stops to make along the way, but that it shouldn’t take too much time. He was being cryptic, so I suspect it may have something to do with the birthday present he mentioned earlier. I don’t want to text him in case he’s driving, so I get out of the car and follow Ainsley.

As soon as we step inside, my jaw drops when I see the large A-framed windows that make up the back end of the house. I can’t see behind the people who are hanging on the deck, but Ainsley said the house is right on the lake. I bet the view is incredible during the day. Surprisingly, no one is inside, so I ask Ainsley about it.

“The main part of the house is off-limits to partygoers. There’s a small boathouse they have access to, but... unless you’re into group sex, stay away from it.”

My eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. We keep the music up loud to drown out the noises. As the night wears on, you’ll see more and more people heading in that direction. Thankfully, our cabins are the only ones for miles, so neighbors aren’t an issue.”

I scrunch my nose. “Have any of the guys... uh, participated in the boathouse activities?”

She mimics my expression. “Not Kingston or Reed. Bentley... probably. I’ve never been in there, so I haven’t actually seen him participating, but I have seen him go inside for the last two years. I wouldn’t be shocked one bit if he ended

up there tonight.”

I take a moment to digest that. I can’t say I’m surprised about Bentley joining a giant orgy. But I am... well, I don’t know what I am. Disappointed maybe? A little skeeved out? Curious?

My brows draw together. “Where do the people not participating in an orgy sleep?”

“A lot of them take over Peyton’s house. Or... your dad’s house, technically. The rest sleep in the cabin next to it. It’s a vacation rental that someone reserves during homecoming weekend.”

“So, only you and the guys sleep here? Really? There’s so much space.”

Ainsley nods. “Well, and you. Kingston’s really protective of this place, so he deemed it a no-go zone from the beginning. People can hang on the back deck, or anywhere on the property really, but not inside. He keeps everything locked up tight.” She gets a sad smile on her face. “Our mom inherited this cabin from her grandparents and left it to us when she died. I think Kingston wouldn’t care nearly as much if it were our dad’s.”

“Oh.”

She jerks her head to the staircase on our right. “The bedrooms are up there. Let’s put our bags away and we can head out back.”

There’re four bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper level. Ainsley opens the door to each room and stops when we get to the master.

I peek inside. “Is this us?”

There’s a four-poster king-sized bed in the center of the room with a matching wooden dresser and nightstand. The room is decent in size but the furniture takes up a lot of space.

“This is where my brother usually sleeps. I figured you might want to stay in here.”

I don’t know why, but my cheeks flush. “Uh... we haven’t really discussed it. Can I drop my bag in our room and figure out sleeping arrangements later?”

She chuckles. “Sure, Jazz. Although, if I know my brother, he’s not going to let you out of his sight.”

We make our way into a smaller room at the opposite end of the hall. Ainsley and I set our bags inside the door.

I finger the hem of my dress. “Do you think we should change?”

“You can if you want, but I’m leaving this on for a while. It’ll get chilly out there, but there’s always a fire going in the pit. Plus, alcohol warms you up, and I plan on drinking plenty of that.” She laughs. “Reed couldn’t stop checking me out tonight, telling me how much he loved my dress. I’m hoping when I take it off, he’ll be taking it off for me.”

My eyebrows raise. “You’re ready to take that step, huh?”

“Girl, I’ve been ready to take that step with Reed Prescott for years. Tonight, I might actually have a chance.” She wags her eyebrows. “Especially if you’re keeping my brother occupied, so help a sister out, will ya?”

Heat rushes through my body when I remember the last thing Kingston said to me before we walked back into the dance.

“Don’t change before you go to the lake house. I plan on delivering on that promise to rip that dress off your body later.”