Was I? Confliction tore through me. Maybe if Daemon saw me happy with Blake, he wouldnt feel compelled to pursue our unreal connection. I felt sick. Yes. Im ready.
Outside, there were numerous cars
lining the driveway and all the way down to the empty house at the beginning of our road. Holy crap, I thought this was supposed to be a little party?
Dee had really outdone herself. Shed dug up numerous paper lanterns and strung them along the porch. Through their windows, thick candles spread throughout flickered softly. A warm, pleasant cider-and-spice smell floated outside and tickled my nose, reminding me how much I loved the smell of autumn.
People were everywhere inside, packed on the couch, surrounding two guys in a Wii death match. Several familiar faces were crowding the staircase, laughing as they drank from red plastic cups. Blake and I couldnt go two feet without bumping into someone.
Dee weaved in and out of the crowd, playing the hostess. She looked beautiful in her delicate white dress that highlighted the darkness of her hair and the emerald color of her eyes. When she saw our hands joined together, she barely hid her surpriseor disappointment.
Feeling like I was doing something wrong, I pulled free and gave her a tight hug. Wow. The house looks great.
It does, doesnt it? Im a natural. She looked over my shoulder. Katy?
My cheeks burned. Hes my
Date, Blake inserted, catching and squeezing my hand. I have to bail soon, but I wanted to escort her to the party.
Escort her? She glanced at him, then back to me. Okay. Well, Ill gocheck on some stuff. Yeah. Then she floated away, back stiff.
I tried to not let her disappointment get to me. She couldnt seriously want me to be with her brother. One of them had already gone down that path with a human and look what happened.
A huge amount of suspicious noises were coming from the dark corners of the large house, distracting me from my thoughts. I then briefly saw Adam, who appeared to be stalking Dee through the crowd. I made a mental note to ask her how her call with him had gone.
Want to get a drink? Blake asked. When I nodded, he led me toward the dining room, where we could see several bottles. There was even a punch bowl. Spiked, no doubt.
We had parties like this back home, Blake said, handing me a red plastic cup. In beach houses, though, and everyone smelled of sea and suntan lotion.
You sound like you miss it.
I do sometimes, but hey, change isnt too bad. It makes life interesting. He took a sip and coughed. What did they put in this? Moonshine?
I laughed. God only knows around here.
Wild giggles came from the kitchen. We turned just in time to see Carissa rush from the room, an annoyed look on her face as she bolted to where Dee was in the doorway. Dee, your friends are crazy.
Theyre your friends, too, Lesa commented dryly, coming up behind Dee. She saw Blake and me and came to a stop. Then she bumped me with her hip. Yay.
Carissa folded her arms over her chest. My friends would not do that with whipped cream.
I busted into laughter at the horrified look on Dees face and the curious one that crossed Lesas. Blake smiled at me, as if he liked the sound of my laugh.
What? Dee screeched and took off toward the kitchen.
I have to see this, muttered Lesa, following quickly behind the flurry of white.
I glanced over at Carissa, whose cheeks were as red as my sweater. Youre kidding, right?
She shook her head emphatically. You have no idea what Donnie and Becca are doing in there.
Arent they the two who planned to get married after graduation?
Yep. And I can tell you they have not waited for marriage for most things.
I giggled. Awesome.
Carissa shuddered. Im not trying to be a prude, but who acts like that in public or at a friends house? I mean, come on. Its disgusting. She took a deep breath, her dark eyes flicking up. Hi, Blake, sorry about that.
Its okay. Whipped cream should only be used on pies.
I had to look away to stop from laughing. It was kind of gross, but I still found it entertaining. Not sure what that said about me. And who was I kidding? Last Friday Id been getting all hot and heavy in a library.
At the reminder, my stomach knotted again and my gaze darted around the room.
We were briefly interrupted by a group who wanted to talk to Carissa about her older brother, who was away at college. Id forgotten that she had older siblings. Mental note number two: pull head out of ass.
Blake mustve made a lot of friends quickly, because most of the kids were talking him up. And a lot of girls kept stealing looks at him. This filled me with an obscene amount of glee. I leaned into Blakes arm, mostly for show, and then I stayed there, liking the way the bulge of muscles in his upper arms felt against my chest.
He didnt seem to mind. The hand on my back bunched into the silk of my dress, and he stopped mid-sentence to lean down and whisper, I really wish I were staying,
I turned my head, smiling. Me, too.
His hand slid across my back, curving around my waist. I liked thiswhatever this was. It seemed natural to be close to a guy, to be flirting, having fun. Kissing. It all felt easy . We stayed like that after Carissa drifted away, and then it was time for him to leave.