“No way, me too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I’m hoping to go to Michigan next year to the Stamps School of Art and Design.”
“Nice.” Toby grinned and I found myself returning the gesture. “So, I know this might seem a bit out there, but we’re actually heading to a party. Do you want to come?”
“Is this party in Rixon East?” I asked because no way I was going to a party my brother and his jock friends might be at.
“Yeah, it’s across the river. That a problem?”
“It’s not a problem for me,” I replied around a smile, just as Flick and Jude returned.
“What’s up?” Jude asked his friend.
“I invited Hailee to come party with us. You in?” He looked at Flick and her eyes lit up, locking on Jude. “I’m in.”
“Cool,” her new friend said. “You want to get out of here then?”
“Sounds good.” I brushed my hands down my jeans and we followed the guys out of the building. They walked ahead slightly so Flick took the opportunity to loop her arm through mine.
“An East party; are you sure? If Jason finds—”
“Let him find out. He’s not my keeper, Flick. What happened to ‘oh, he’s so cute’?” I gave her a pointed look as we trailed after Jude and Toby.
“Oh I’m in.” She grinned. “I’m just making sure you know what you’re doing.”
“Everything okay?” Jude called over to where me and Flick had stopped. I grabbed her hand, started toward his car, and said, “Everything’s fine.”
Despite Rixon and Rixon East being divided by the Susquehanna River, it was only a fifteen-minute ride to the party. Jude pulled up outside a country house. Cars and trucks lined the street, the faint vibration of music filtering out of windows.
“Holy shit,” Flick whistled between her teeth. “This place is—”
“Impressive, huh?” Toby got out and came around to open my door. I climbed out, suddenly feeling underdressed in my jeans, Vans t-shirt, and worn chucks. Rixon East was renowned for being more affluent that Rixon. Our neighborhood wasn’t poor by any stretch of the imagination, but Rixon East boasted more estates nestled in the beautiful, leafy surrounds, and exclusive rentals along the river.
The house before us was no exception.
“You know someone who lives here?” I gawked, and Toby chuckled. “Yeah, he’s my cousin. Come on.”
“Cousin?” Flick mouthed as we followed the guys inside. I shrugged. It was too late now to worry about who Toby’s cousin was.
Until we stepped inside, only to be met with a sea of red and white.
“Hmm, Toby, who did you say your cousin was again?” Flick asked, panic flashing in her eyes as she gave me a sideways glance.
“Lewis Thatcher, only the best damn QB in the state,” Jude chimed in.
I almost choked on the air in my lungs. Toby’s cousin was Lewis Thatcher, QB One for the Rixon East Eagles, and Jason’s arch-nemesis.
Shit.
Flick’s gaze widened over his shoulder, but I shook my head discreetly. No one knew who I was. We could enjoy the party, blend in, and stay under the radar.
At least that was the plan.
Cameron
“Here you go, boys.” Sara, one of the servers at Bell’s passed around our plates of food. Win or lose, it was our post-game ritual to all descend on Bell’s on Saturday night, and when Jase had called me up this morning, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.