“I do, and I’m going to agree.”
“You are?”
“Yes. I’ll help Ree this one time and then that’s it. I won’t go back on my word. I promise. Whatever she needs from here on out, or at least after today, she’ll be on her own.” Sean was her best friend and she knew deep down, he had her best interests at heart.”
“I’m proud of you.”
She glanced down at her clothes. “I think I need to go and throw on some more clothes, though. I’m not entering Drake’s house in just my pajamas.” She wrinkled her nose to which Sean laughed.
Prudence preferred it when he laughed. She hated the idea of hurting him.
After putting her soda can down on the counter, she made her way upstairs and quickly threw on a pair of pants and a sweater. She didn’t bother to deal with her hair, or even to put on any socks. It wasn’t like she had any intention of sticking around. Far from it. If it wasn’t for Ree, she wouldn’t even be doing this.
Sean was at the door waiting for her with keys already in his hand. “You really don’t want to go.”
She glanced down at her pants. She often wore then to deal with the trash. “Well, now I get to deal with the trash,” she said, flicking her hair off her shoulder.
“Come on, let’s get this show on the road.”
****
Sean didn’t need directions to Drake’s house. Anyone who was anyone knew where he lived. His house was the biggest in town, and of course the one most people wished they lived in.
Not Prudence.
From the first time she saw the house as a kid, it always looked … sad. She hated the house and staring up at it now, she felt sick to her stomach, and not because she was about to see Drake either.
No, this house was a nightmare. It was too garish. It screamed luxury and prosperity and looked down on everyone else.
Sean pointed at the side of the road. Cars were everywhere and there was no way Sean would get close to the door or be able to leave if he came with her.
“We could leave her,” he said.
She was so tempted. “No, we came all this way. Don’t worry about it. I’ll deal with this and then we’re back to our night. There’s no way his parents are home so it’s not like I have to worry about having my ass thrown in jail or chased out of town.” She unbuckled her seatbelt, the nerves finally starting to get to her. This was a mistake. She had no doubt something bad was going to happen, or maybe nothing would. It wasn’t like she was going to crash this party. Drake had told Ree to get her to bring her inside.
The moment she closed the door, Ree looked up.
Her friend with wild blonde hair gave a little squeal and rushed toward her. It was like the past couple of hours hadn’t happened.
She would never understand Ree or her need to be accepted by assholes like Drake.
“Hey,” she said, offering Ree a smile.
Ree threw her arms around her neck, holding her close. “I knew you’d come. I’m so pleased you did. This is going to be awesome.”
Prudence grabbed Ree’s hands, making her friend stop. “I’m not coming to spend the night, Ree. I’m letting you in and then I’m leaving.”
“But you can’t leave. What if Drake wants you to stay?”
“I’m my own person. I don’t give a shit if he wants me to stay. I’m not going to.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be a party pooper.”
Prudence wasn’t going to be pulled in. “Come on, just lead the way and get this done.”
Ree wouldn’t stop talking. “He is like the best guy in the world. I know he comes off all hard and mean, but that’s just the way guys are. They have to protect themselves, and I know Drake is a good guy where it counts.”
Prudence rolled her eyes, pleased Ree hadn’t seen her. The only thing Drake cared about was himself, but she wasn’t going to argue with her. Walking between the cars, she didn’t let go of Ree’s arm once.
“Hey, Sean came. He can come too. I’m sure he would love to come and party,” Ree said.
“Not happening.” She didn’t want to be here, so there was no way she was dragging Sean in any deeper than he already was.
“Wait, wait,” Ree said the moment they got to the door. “We can’t go in the front door.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, we’re going to have to go in the back entrance.” Ree put a hand to her face. “Oh, my, that is so funny, because a back entrance, is, you know.”
“I get it.” It wasn’t funny though. “I’m not sneaking around the back.”
“You’re going to get us into so much trouble.” Ree kept on giggling. “I wonder why he wanted you to come. Oh, no, what if he wants to be mean to you again? I didn’t think about it. At least you’ll be the talk of the party if he is. It will be so funny what he does but know I didn’t mean for it to be this way. I’m such a bad friend.”