“So, you gonna come out to the party, or you gonna keep hiding up here?”
His eyebrows shot up as he regarded me in that way that was hard to decipher. I couldn’t tell if I annoyed the crap out of him or if he found me intriguing. Maybe both. I didn’t think he could tell the difference either.
“I’m working. Have to test out all these runes, and like I said, I wasn’t invited. Wouldn’t have come anyway. Party at the headmaster’s house while he’s away? Not the smartest choice you’ve made, but probably not the stupidest either.”
Heat rushed through me. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
He folded his arms across his chest. “You know, I don’t know why I’m surprised. Figures you’d be another rich party girl. You think because your uncle is on the board, you can slack off and do whatever you want.”
Oh. Hell. No.
I advanced, jabbing a finger at him. “You don’t know anything about me. So fu—”
A scream cut through my words and rang in my ears. Not some flirty shriek you’d expect at a party. No. Something happened or was happening.
We bolted downstairs, our verbal joust on pause.
A giant, half naked man stood in the middle of the room, howling. My heart skipped. As he turned, I could make out his wolfish features—bright yellow eyes, snarling snout, and overgrown canines.
“What the?”
Grayson folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “Werewolf.”
My eyes bulged. “What? Here?”
He gave me an odd look. “It’s not real. Just an enchanted costume. To scare people.” He nodded to the crying girl, who was now surrounded by her friends.
“Really? Is that the best you could come up with?” a voice drawled.
I turned to find Brady, sipping on another drink, shaking his head. “Pathetic cry for attention. Here’s a thought, why don’t you show yourself out. Leave the costume.”
“What the hell? Come on, man. It was just a joke!”
Brady didn’t flinch. He downed his drink and thrust it into the hand of a passerby. “Get lost, Chris. Nobody wants your smelly ass here.”
“But, Brady, it was a joke. Don’t be a dick.”
Everyone fell silent as we watched the exchange.
Brady smiled. “Get. Out.”
Nostrils flaring, the jerk turned on his heel.
“Leave the costume.”
Laughter rose from the crowd. The werewolf glared daggers at Brady. They faced off, a deliberate show of superiority. In one movement, he stepped out of his costume, revealing a lot of tanned, muscular skin. Hoots and hollers echoed around the room, phones out to record his embarrassment.
He sneered, standing defiantly in his boxers before throwing the costume at Brady’s feet. “Got your fill?”
Brady laughed. “Please. You looked better as the wolf.”
Cheers sounded and phone cameras clicked as he left.
“Well, you don’t see that at every Halloween party.” I glanced at Grayson.
“Brady has his moments,” he answered, still watching our host as he downed another drink. “Just hope he can remember some of them tomorrow,” he mumbled under his breath.
I looked at him curiously. “Heavy drinker?”
He scoffed. “Alcohol. Drugs. Anything to get his father’s attention.”
“Does it work?”
Grayson’s eyebrow arched. “What do you think?”
Brady caught our stare and glanced up. His smile vanished.
“That’s my cue to leave,” Grayson grunted.
I gaped. “But… you’re not gonna come to the party?”
He glanced back at me and shook his head. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. Goodnight, Rose. Good luck on the test.”
Disappointment filled me. I shook it off and nodded to him. “Thanks.”
What was wrong with me? Why did I care that he didn’t want to hang out with me? It wasn’t like we were exactly friends. I didn’t really know what exactly we were. One minute we were at each other’s throats and the next we were chill. All of it was confusing.
I spotted Shiloh standing awkwardly off to the side as Javi abandoned her for a game of beer pong. The idiot probably thought that would impress her. Did they free the sprites already?
Picking up my wounded pride, I walked past the drunken costumed teens and made my way over to her. Someone turned the volume up and the music was blaring at deafening tones now.
“Let’s check out the pool?” I suggested to her.
She pointed to her ear, and shook her head.
I leaned in closer. “Let’s go by the pool.”
Her eyes flicked to Javi. Monica and Sofia were by his side now, cheering him on, boobs flying up and almost out of their costumes as they did.
Shiloh’s face hardened. She turned to me and nodded.
I waved, trying to get Javi’s attention, but gave up. If he was going to act like an idiot, he didn’t deserve my help with Shiloh.
Pushing my way through the crowd, I led Shiloh outside. The music faded away, but the pool deck was still filled with teens. So much for an exclusive party. Nearly the whole damn school was there.
All except Grayson. With his sexy eyes.
My eyes bulged. Woah. Where did that thought come from? I glanced down at my empty bottle and shook my head. Maybe it was time to put away the drink.
“It’s beautiful. Can you imagine living in a place like this?” Shiloh waved her hand at the mansion and pool.
“Crazy, right?” I agreed.
We sat by the edge and I watched as she took off her shoes and dipped her feet in.
“If I had this house, I wouldn’t be living on campus.” Her face reddened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I love having you as a roommate. Honest.”
I smiled. “It’s fine. I like you being my roommate too. God, I could have been stuck with someone like… Monica or Sofia.” I pretended to gag.
Shiloh chuckled. “They’re not so bad.”
“Sure, you say that now. After how many drinks?” I teased.
Her head turned back toward the house. “No… I mean. They’re brave. To put themselves out there so much. Not caring what others think.”
A vision of them bouncing out of their costumes came to my mind, making me snort. “Putting? More like popping right out.”
Shiloh turned back to me
