Malcolm knows that. We’ve never seen eye-to-eye, mostly because he was born with a penis, which seems to afford him slightly more privileges in our family. I, on the other hand, have worked for every dime, every ounce of affection, every chance I’ve gotten. Daddy grooms Malcolm to take his place at MacLaine Media, in the government, even here at Windfall. I’m only brought out for special occasions—a trophy to be displayed at parties and then placed back under lock and key. My brother is the heir to the empire, shaking hands and having drinks. He’s being handed the family legacy on a platter, and no one—especially not his baby sister—is going to compromise that.
“Worried I’m going to cause a scandal? Simmer down, bro. All publicity is good publicity.” I just want him off my back. “Did you forget how you spent every weekend when you were my age?”
“I didn’t forget,” he says quietly. “I grew up. Maybe you should, too.”
I want to throw my head back and scream. “Double standard much?”
“Things are different. Mama is gone. Someone has to be the lady of the house.” He couldn’t be more condescending if he climbed onto a ladder and yelled at me from the top rung.
“I’m not a lady.” I stomp out of the room to prove it before he can stop me.
I take the Mercedes G-Wagon, because it’s my current favorite, and daddy is too drunk to notice it’s gone. Back in my prep days, I might have walked, ensuring I could easily stumble home. The West estate is only a half a mile away on the opposite side of Magnolia Lane. But Poppy is stuck in the dorms and needs a ride. I don’t blame her, given that Ava is readying her house to play host, and Poppy can’t stand being stuck in enclosed spaces with Cyrus. When I pull up to campus, she’s waiting on a short brick wall. I whistle appreciatively when she climbs in wearing a black and white striped romper. She’s knotted her glossy black hair near the haltered neckline.
“You look amazing!”
“I have made a major decision,” she says as I wait for her to buckle up. Then she turns to me with an expression she usually saves for serious matters like celebrity break-ups or PETA campaigns. “I’m back on the market.”
“You were off-the-market?” I ask.
“Not officially. But I was looking more than seeking. I’m done waiting around. I was hung up on Cyrus, but he’s never going to make an actual move. Why waste this?” She flourishes her hand like a game show hostess announcing the big prize.
This is exactly the girl power I need to channel after my confrontation with Malcolm. It’s time to take back our social lives. Mama wouldn’t want me to sit around in my room. She’d want my days to be full of diamonds. And I could do that. Live for her, soak up what there is to love about Tennessee before I make my escape.
“Okay, but big favor. Can we pick up a friend?”
“You don’t waste time,” I tease as she points me in the direction of a boys dorm down the street.
“It’s not like that,” she says.
“Off-the-market?” I ask.
“We’re shopping at the wrong stores,” she says meaningfully.
“Gotcha.”
Poppy’s new friend struts out of his building in a body-skimming gray tee and board shorts more suited to SoCal than Valmont. Bangs sweep his forehead and I can’t help but think he looks like a young Keanu Reeves—but with a lot more confidence. I flash the car’s brights in encouragement of his runway moves.
“Nice ride,” he says appreciatively as he climbs into the back seat.
I swivel around and stick out a hand. “Adair MacLaine. I think we’re going to be friends.”
“Kai Miles.” He takes it. “I am in the market for friends.”
Poppy and I share a look before we burst out laughing. Everyone’s in the market for something tonight. The question is what are the chances we find much worth buying in Valmont. I’ve sampled the stock. There’s not much around here that interests me.
“Thanks for being a DD,” Kai says.
I roll my eyes into the rearview mirror. Wires have been crossed, it seems.
“I’m not DDing.”
“Sorry,” he says quickly. “I thought Poppy said…”
“We won’t need a ride home, darling,” Poppy interrupts him. “Adair’s place is just down the way. We can crash there.”
“Is there room?”
I glance at Poppy. Has she prepared him at all? “We’ve got the space, but Poppy doesn’t drink, so it hardly matters.”
“I have wine every now and then,” she says defensively.
“When do you have wine?” I’ve never seen her touch a drop of booze.
“When I visit my Grandmum in Surrey.”
“Are you sure you aren’t too sophisticated for an old-fashioned Valmont house party?” I place the back of my hand to my forehead and feign a swoon of admiration.
“Shut up!” She bats at me, accidentally hitting the steering wheel and the car swerves, narrowly avoiding a ditch.
“That’s why she can’t DD,” I explain to Kai. “We’ll wind up in a ditch even if she’s sober. You can crash with us unless you’re desperate to get back to the dorms tonight, but you’ll be taking your life into your own hands.”
“I’ll take my chances on your couch.”
“We have to sneak into the guesthouse,” I warn them. “I can’t deal with my brother anymore tonight.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t go home,” Poppy says suggestively.
“Have you been replaced by a sexbot?” I ask her. “Where’s my best friend?”
“I just mean—there might be someone you’re hoping to run into?” she suggests, waggling her brows. “Someone who gets you all fired up?”
This time I nearly put us in a ditch. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.” Poppy is a crap liar. Guilt is practically stamped across her forehead.
“No. There is no one I’m hoping to see.” I want to call her out. If she did what I think she’s done, there
