“What Dad doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She stepped into my room and grinned. “I was younger than you when my parents let Ally and me go to the beach for spring break with your dad and Cole. You’re a good girl. I know we can trust you.”
“So, what happens when he finds out?” I sat down on my bed; images of Dad coming to the party and dragging me out floated through my mind.
“I’ll take care of Dad; you don’t need to worry.” She smiled and started to leave.
“I’m not going to end up with another little brother or sister over this, am I?” I called.
“Not that I plan on, but you can’t blame us for trying?” She sing-songed down the hall.
“Ugh!” I made a gagging noise.
I spent most of the afternoon trying to decide on what to wear. I didn’t want to look like a high school girl, but I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard either.
I finally decided on a denim skirt paired with a soft yellow tank. It was fairly warm out at night, and I wasn’t sure how much of this party would be outside. Claire hadn’t given me many details, so I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into.
“Rils? Ride’s here,” Mom’s voice echoed through the house. Dad had gone out to run errands, Mom’s plan I guess, and wouldn’t be back until I was long gone.
“Thanks,” I called back as I slipped into a pair of flats, checked myself in the mirror one last time, and then rushed down the stairs. “See you later.”
Just as my hand hit the knob to the front door, I heard her, “Midnight.”
My shoulders sagged. I couldn’t wait until college started and I didn’t have a curfew. “Ok.” I sighed. I wasn’t going to argue. She was letting me go. If I whined, she might make me stay home. ooooooooo
“Where exactly are we going?” I glanced at Claire as she drove along the dark highway.
“Into the city.” She pressed her lips together. She was hiding something.
“Where though?” I watched as we drove past the gym, and turned toward the Beacon Hill district.
“Do you remember Bethany Norman?” She grinned.
“Yeah.” The Norman family owned a chain of department stores. Bethany went to elementary school with us, but then her parents put her in private school. They were totally loaded, and Bethany always acted like she was too good for us.
“Her brother Thomas has a brownstone up here.” She pointed at the brick houses along the street. I saw her last week when I was shopping, and she invited us here. Isn’t it awesome?” She bounced before parking on the street.
“Am I going to know anyone here?” I swallowed. Bethany and I weren’t really friends. I didn’t know anything about her brother, or any of his friends.
“You know me.” She chirped as she climbed out, and bounced on her toes. I swear she was hyped up on something because she was extra chipper tonight.
“Promise me we can leave early if we don’t know anyone.” I turned with a panicked expression. I didn’t drive, and I wasn’t calling my parents to come and get me.
“It’ll be fun.” She grabbed my arm and started pulling me toward the steps. As soon as we reached the door, it burst open. A guy in a blue golf shirt was standing in the doorway with a red cup in his hand.
“Come on in, ladies.” He stepped to the side and gestured with his hand for us to step by him.
“Thanks.” Claire grinned. “Where can I get one of those?” She pointed to the cup.
“Keg’s in the kitchen along with anything else you’d like.” He turned as if he was going to follow us, but stopped when another group of people came up the steps.
“I don’t like beer,” I hissed under my breath.
“So, have something else.” Claire shrugged.
I looked around as we moved through the sea of people in the house. I didn’t see anyone I knew, and it was causing me to panic. We rounded the corner to where the kitchen was supposed to be, and I heard a familiar laugh. It brought both relief and frustration. What was he doing here?
“Princess!” Caleb opened his arms like he wanted a hug as he stumbled closer to me.
I backed up, and he frowned. “Are you drunk?” I tipped my head to the side.
“I don’t think so,” he stared at his hands like they had the answer, “well maybe a little. Ok, a lot.” He started laughing and moved closer, throwing his arm around my shoulders in the process.
“Do you know each other?” Claire looked confused.
“Caleb’s mom and mine are best friends. He’s like my annoying older brother.” I rolled my eyes and at the same time I felt Caleb stiffen beside me.
Claire poured herself a beer and then turned to me. “Want something?”
“Not that.” I curled my lip.
“Awe, what’s wrong, Princess? Not a beer drinker?” Caleb wobbled and stuck out his lip. “That’s ok. I’ll drink yours.” He lifted his cup to his mouth, and finished whatever was in it. “Get me another.” He thrust his hand in the direction of the guy who was apparently keeping tabs on the keg.
“Please don’t,” I warned. “He’s had enough.”
Caleb frowned, but then smiled when someone brought him another cup. Shock covered my face. He was obviously drunk. I couldn’t believe they’d let him keep drinking.
“It’s water,” the guy that handed him the cup clarified. “He hasn’t had anything here but water. He showed up this way.”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind.” Caleb sulked.
“He’s been rambling about some chick since he got here. Some chick he can’t have. ‘Untouchable’
