Chapter 31
EvanAnn
Mia and I pull up to the party. Cam told everyone to show up after ten, but Chase’s party starts at eight. Cam said people would start showing up around nine because they were bored.
We’re getting there a little late. Eight-thirty. I don’t want to be without the guys for too long. I’d prefer to walk in as the party really gets started, but it will be nice to see Chase’s panic too. Yes, the drama major wants drama.
Jackson hasn’t reached out to Mia, so we don’t think he’s going to show. Thank god for that.
If I were directing this, it would be an elaborate trap.
I would have Mia be a double agent and working with Chase to steal me away and make me his Stepford wife before the guys arrive.
But that’s not real life. I don’t trust Chase.
I kind of trust Mia. But the guys will get here soon.
And in the meantime, I can protect myself.
I get out of the car in a skirt a little longer than the one Damon had me wear last weekend. My top shows my midriff and is tight around my breasts. Damon fucked me in the shower and sucked on my shoulder until it almost hurt, marking me as his.
My shoulder twinges as I walk up the drive with Mia. A smile plays on my lips because I’m theirs, and they want more.
When she takes my hand, I glance over at Mia with surprise.
“I’ve got you.” Her blue eyes seem sincere. “You need out of this one, let me know and we’re gone. Promise.”
I smile. Fuck, I want to trust her to be a good friend the way I wanted Chase to be a loyal boyfriend. Maybe I’m just delusional.
I trust the Devil’s trio now. But there was that moment when Damon brought me to the hamburger place where I thought that might have been his grand plan. Humiliate me in front of everyone.
Ruin the good girl.
I didn’t know about their original plan. My heart pounds when I consider those words. That was their plan, but the hamburger place was obviously too soon.
What if part of the price to take down Chase was to hurt me? Not physically, but they could do a lot of damage emotionally. I tried to keep my walls up. Keep things strictly physical.
But they kept battering my walls until I was vulnerable to them. They’re inside and I’m beginning to depend on them for more than just orgasms. My emotions are all tangled up in them.
Chase can’t hurt me. Mia can’t hurt me. But the Devil’s trio? They could destroy me.
I don’t think they will, but a small bit of fear remains. At one point I thought Chase was a loyal boyfriend. Maybe my judgment isn’t the greatest.
We walk in the door, and there are voices out by the pool. I drag in a breath. Maybe I should listen to everything that’s warning me this is a trap. And maybe not the one I helped to set.
My guys, I trust. Maybe it’s stupid to trust them, but I do.
But I wouldn’t put it past Chase to have something planned for tonight. But I’m committed, so I walk confidently next to Mia out to the pool. There are a few girls and football players playing in the pool and some on the deck drinking. An arm wraps around my waist and pulls me into a hard body.
My heart stops, but Chase says, “You came. Awesome.”
I try to relax in his hold. Act like his girlfriend or at least the girl willing to give him a second chance. I’d rather shove him into the pool, but this won’t be for much longer.
“Hey, she’s my date tonight.” Mia pushes Chase’s shoulder. “Get off her.”
He releases me and laughs. “Sure. Everyone knows you like dick, Mia.”
She shrugs and puts her arm around my waist and pulls me in close. “It’s a friend date, and you didn’t invite anyone I’d want to fuck, so I’m hanging out with Evan.”
Chase shakes his head. “Whatever. EvanAnn can decide what she wants to do.”
“You said I could bring Mia.” I give him a wide-eyed look and lean into Mia. “I’m not abandoning her.”
Chase runs a hand through his hair but forces a smile. “Great. The more the merrier.” He gestures toward the pool deck.
Mia keeps her arm around me, and we take a seat on the loveseat, making it so Chase has to sit on an armchair or the couch alone. He chuckles as he takes the armchair.
“I wanted to apologize about last night.” He leans forward and takes my hand. His blue eyes seem sincere. “I drank too much, and I was an ass. Hawk was right to get in my face. I was wrong to say what I said. I wish I didn’t have to keep asking you to forgive me.”
He gives me this look he probably gave his parents when he did something bad. I wonder if they ever bought it. Even his words feel practiced.
I smile. “It’s okay. We all need to blow off steam after this week.” I glance around at everyone giving us space. “It’s nice this is so low-key. I’m kind of partied out.”
“Yeah, I don’t get to do this too often. My parents don’t like to go out of town without me.” Chase leans back and nods toward the pool. “We could get in if you want. I’m sure my mom’s suits would fit you two.”
“I’m good.” I resist the urge to glance at my phone to see how much longer I have to sit here and try to “reconnect” with my ex. Especially when I can feel Damon’s cum leaking in my panties.
“Yeah, I don’t want to ruin my makeup and hair.” Mia smiles.
“You going to another party later?”
“Nope, I’m staying here. I just like to look my best for my friend.” Mia leans her head on my shoulder.
“How about I get you two drinks?” Chase rises.
Don’t drink anything anyone else gives you. Damon told me about what Olivia wanted to do. Yeah, that’s Olivia, but with Chase and her, who knows? And his parents did find drugs in his room. Better safe than sorry. I hold up my full water bottle.
“I’m good.”
“You could have a drink, Evan. You’re safe and among friends.” Chase smiles. “It’ll help loosen you up.”
Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid he’s trying to do.
“No, thank you.” I say firmly and meet his blue eyes.
He holds his hands up with a small smile. “Got it. Mia?”
“Sure.” She leans back on the loveseat. “Bring me something pink.”
“Pink.” He shakes his head as he walks away.
“Do you think he’s pissed off?” I ask.
“I hope so. He’s such a fuckboy.” Mia shakes her head. “Don’t get me wrong, fuckboys are usually good lays, but they aren’t loyal for shit.”
“Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
Mia glances at me. “When I was fifteen, a senior noticed me, and I thought I was the hottest shit ever. I’d done a little before then, but I hadn’t had sex yet. He coaxed me into it.
“He was kinky.” She gets this unfocused look.
“He liked watching his friends take turns with me. The whole senior football team fucked me that year. I loved every minute of it. Even let him fuck my ass, so I could take more guys at a time. He enjoyed watching.” She refocuses and looks over at Chase at the bar.
“I was really popular with the guys because they could fuck me however they wanted.” She shrugs. “I like sex. A lot.”
I slide my hand in hers and thread our fingers together, leaning my head against hers. “You’re worth more than just your body, Mia.”
She laughs a little bitterly. “Yeah, I’m an actor. My body will always be an issue. My casualness with sex will only help me in my career. I won’t get hung up on guys who just want to use me.”
“Mia.” I feel it like an ache in my soul. I can picture her as a girl who craved new things and sex and how that guy exploited that fact. And taught her guys only wanted her for one thing. Of course, she’s gorgeous so she could have heard that her whole life.
She turns her face toward me and smiles a little too brightly. “I use guys and they use me. Fuck guys, Evan. They aren’t worth my time except to get me off.”
“You’re the only one I know who can list the stats of any player in a league.
” I straighten and look at her. “And I love how I’m able to really breakdown a character with you when we’re working on the play.
You’re more than just your body. You’re smart and you’re nice to me. And I don’t want to have sex with you.”
Mia laughs. “Damn, I thought I’d get to experiment.” Her eyes soften on me. “This is why you’re an amazing friend, Evan. You see this old tart and find a way to make me sound like apple pie.” She squeezes my hand. “Thank you. You’re an amazing director so it’s fun to discuss character with you.”
I return her smile.
Chase walks over and hands Mia a glass. He offers me one. “You sure?”
“I said no.” I arch an eyebrow like he’s being an asshole, because he is.
He settles in the armchair and takes a drink. “I didn’t know if you changed your mind.”
“Why isn’t there music?” Mia asks and takes a large drink from her cup. “Is this a party or what?”
“I have to keep the noise down, but I can turn on the surround sound. It just can’t be loud enough to disturb the neighbors.” He unlocks his phone and sets the cup on the table while he taps something on the screen.
Music comes out of the speakers, and a small cheer comes from the pool.
“I wanted to make you more comfortable here than at those larger parties.” Chase leans in. “I know they aren’t really your scene, and you go to them for me. Besides, we could always chat about Shakespeare since we don’t have to yell over the music.”
I give him a soft smile because that does sound more my speed. Even if I don’t want him and don’t think he’s really after me for the right reasons, I can see how I might have fallen for him if he hadn’t been a huge cheater.
We talk a little about the play. Mostly Chase argues with Mia over whether Desdemona actually slept with Cassio or not. He swears she actually did.
The wave begins slowly. A few girls arrive, and they seem to be with the football players. Chase notices but doesn’t do anything about it, figuring girls aren’t generally a problem.
Suddenly, a tidal wave of students arrive, like they all came together. Chase stands.
“Fuck. Just a minute.” He walks off, and Mia takes my hand.
“Don’t lose me,” Mia says as the backyard fills with students. Liam arrives with Fletcher, and they immediately zero in on Mia.
Liam smirks as they approach us.
“Hey, kitten, mind if we join you?” He sits on the couch with Fletcher. He nods at me. “EvanAnn.”
Mia’s cheeks flush a little pink as both Liam and Fletcher flirt with her.
My cheeks heat remembering seeing them fucking for the first time.
I take a drink of my water and try to focus elsewhere.
Part of me wants to give them time to talk, but I also know Damon will punish me if I don’t stick to Mia until one of the Devil’s trio is with me.
The party around us begins to fill in, and the music gets louder. Chase is lost in the crowd. My gaze stalls on green eyes. Hawk smirks as he saunters toward us. He has on dark jeans and a green shirt that makes his eyes pop.
He looks like the embodiment of the privileged Cassio, and he’s mine. My insides buzz.
“Hey, Liam, Fletcher. Mia.” His gaze stops on me. “Annie.”
My name is soft on his lips. He takes Chase’s armchair. Mia’s hand tightens on mine.
This is it. The pieces are falling into place and our play is about to begin. The problem is, most of the actors don’t realize they’re on stage. But we’ll guide them through their parts.
The number of people in the backyard grows exponentially while we talk.
“Hey!” Keira stops next to our chairs. “I think the whole cast is here tonight.”
“We could do an impromptu performance.” Mia grins.
“Except Brandt’s here too.” Keira frowns. “He’d insist on his production getting equal time.”
“We can’t have that.” Hawk winks my way and warmth bubbles through me.
Keira’s attention is pulled away from us. She gives us a smile. “We’ll catch up later, right? No beer pong tonight.”
Hawk chuckles. “No beer pong.”
Keira wanders off, and we settle in, waiting for the next explosion.
Chase comes over. His hair stands on end like he’s run his hand through it. “Fucking Brody probably opened his big mouth. I never should have invited that asshole, but he said he could bring some party favors.”
Party favors? Like drugs? Fuck, I’m glad I didn’t take that drink.
Chase lifts his gaze as he realizes Mia and I aren’t alone. His gaze bounces from Liam to Fletcher to settle on Hawk. His jaw tightens.
“Are you seriously flirting with my girl again?” he asks Hawk.
Hawk chuckles and rubs his jaw. “Is she your girl? Last I heard she broke up with you.”
Chase straightens. “We’re on a break. Right, babe?”
“Not your babe.” I meet Chase’s eyes. “And I did break up with you. We’re trying to work through it, but we’re definitely not back together right now.”
Chase’s gaze narrows on me. This is the guy who left me out in the woods, but this time I’m not alone. Mia’s got my hand and Hawk is right here. Motion catches my attention, and my gaze collides with sharp blue eyes focused on me.
Damon.
Chase seems to remember what the fuck he’s doing. “Sorry, you’re right. I need to do better.”
He sets his drink off to the side and glances at the party ramping up behind him. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t have this many people over. And it’s not like I can kick everyone out.”
“That sucks, dude.” Fletcher smiles. “Did you lock your bedroom? Otherwise, you never know who will fuck on your bed.”
“Fuck.” Chase turns to head for the house. “I’ll be back.”
“Might want to lock your parents’ room too,” Fletcher calls after him, then turns to us. “Poor bastard. Not sure why he thought he could keep this a secret.”
Hawk smiles at me, and I return it. I’m not sure where Damon went, but he’s somewhere nearby. I’m sure Cam is helping someone bring in kegs. After all, this is going to be the party of the year. We’ll make sure of it.