If I’d Known (Cursed 1)

Joey leans back against the cab and eases me onto his lap. "I like you here."

"I like me here too," I admit, relaxing against his chest.

"How are you doing now?" he asks, his breath tickling my neck.

"Better." I smile.

He smiles back, revealing the dimple. I lean over and kiss it. I can't help myself. Joey turns his head and his lips barely brush across mine. Shooting stars surge through my entire body.

He hasn't truly kissed me yet, and the anticipation is causing my pulse to beat erratically. Seriously, I need ten minutes ... twenty alone with him and we'll both be soaring. All the crazy that's happened tonight will instantly be forgotten.

Joey presses his forehead against mine. "What do you thin

k about starting over? You know, have tonight start right now?"

"I think I like that," is released within a breath.

Joey caresses my cheek with his thumb, eliciting a shiver.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice big blue eyes right next to my head. I lean back to find Allie's face poking through the cab window, her chin resting on her hand, staring at us dreamily.

"You two are so cute."

Tori snorts loudly. I flip her the finger.

"Here." Allie offers me the nearly depleted bottle of liquor.

I take it from her, down a shot and pass it off. I've been waiting for the buzz to kick in, to mellow me out. But this night has been anything but chill. Hopefully it will finally overtake me when we get to The Point.

"You guys know that The Point parties are exclusive, right?" Joey announces to everyone in the bed of the truck. "We're not really supposed to have access, so keep it between us. Okay?" He focuses on Vic, receiving an affirming grunt in return.

"Of course," Tori assures him.

"We won't say anything," I promise. "How do people usually get on the list?"

"All I know is that everyone on the list has to be approved. I'm not sure how they request to get on it. But they have to pay crazy money for the privilege, basically ensuring their silence, or else they're blackballed--which, in this group, is social suicide."

"How do they find out about the parties?" I ask.

I've been dying to go since I first found out about The Point parties two years ago. We've only ever heard whispers after they've happened--the secrecy heightening my obsession.

"Everyone on the list receives a text with a code on it. When they sign in, the location is revealed along with a bar code that gets them in. They can pay to bring up to six of their friends." As an afterthought, Joey adds, "Oh, phones aren't allowed inside. You have to check them in as you enter."

"Who came up with this? It's insane," I ask, impressed.

"No one knows. The organizers don't want anyone knowing their identities so they can't be influenced, or busted. This isn't exactly legal," Joey explains. "I heard they've expanded it to six different spots in three towns. I think they're trying to make it a legit business."

Tori eyes him suspiciously. "How do you know so much about it?"

Joey only shrugs with a grin that convinces me he knows someone involved.

I sink back against the side of the truck, groaning. "Wait. How much does it cost to get in? I don't have a ton of money on me." I can't waste my tip money on a party, not if I want to keep our lights on.

"You're with me tonight," Joey says, taking hold of my hand. "Don't worry about it."

"You sure?" I ask, uncomfortable with him paying.

"Very." Joey pulls me closer to him and lowers his voice, his mouth next to my ear. "But this isn't our first date, Lana. I want to save that for another night, okay? Because I definitely want to see you again."