Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
MADELINE
“It’s fine,” I try to reassure Georgia as we step out of the car together. I give my sister a small wave before she pulls off. She dropped us off down the street. Might be weird for a teacher to be dropping students off at a party.
She’s worried about Luke and what might be the fallout. I might be too, but I’m keeping that to myself. Georgia doesn’t need to make up more problems in that head of hers.
“He really got the video.” Her eyes bore into my phone. She read my text over my shoulder but didn’t say anything with my sister there. Georgia knows I don’t want Paislee tangled into anything.
I mean, I would have. If I had that access. “It shows he’s willing to go the distance.”
“It’s not funny,” Georgia huffs, but her lips start to twitch on one side. I give her a small elbow to her side.
“Come on. A drink might calm you down.”
“Beer is gross.”
I link my arm through hers. “It is,” I agree. I haven’t drunk much, but I went to parties at my old school. “That’s why you chew Big Red gum while you drink it.” I’ve heard this trick but never tried it.
“Do you have Big Red gum?”
“Nope,” I laugh. “You think he’ll be here tonight?”
“I never come to these, so I don’t know. You never know what Luke Locke is going to do.”
“Besides be an asshole. We can count on that one.” Georgia snorts a laugh. I say hi as I pass by a few people from school. Georgia stays close to me, and I notice no one greets her.
“You always remember everyone.” I do, but it is a practiced skill I developed over the years. Others might not be aware, but you don’t have to be a jerk to get the things you want.
“There’s Kory,” I say when I spot her in the living room area.
This room might be the parlor, but I’m not sure. The house is beautiful and also massive. It reminds me of a house in The Hamptons. This place is a random home Caleb’s parents own. I know everyone is wealthy, but it’s crazy when you get to see it up close and personal.
We make our way over to Kory, who is standing with Claire and Amanda. Those two are tight with her, and I’m sure they voted for Kory.
“Hi, guys.” I don’t get a chance to say anything before Lana pops up out of nowhere. I’ve gotten the cold shoulder from her since the voting went down.
“No one wants a drink?” she says.
“We’re good,” I tell her because it’s strange she would offer anyone a drink.
“Wasn’t talking to you.” She hits me with a sneer.
“Well, I was talking to you.” Her lips press into a firm line. She’s not used to getting a taste of her own medicine. Lucky for her, I’m more than willing to supply it.
“You don’t want to do this with me,” Lana warns.
“You’re right. I don’t,” I agree. “But I will.”
“Suit yourself,” she says, and her previously annoyed expression transforms back into a bright smile. “You guys see that Luke and Grant are here?” Lana tells the other girls. My stomach tightens, a thrill coursing through me.
It’s only because I enjoy sparring with Luke. That’s it. He’s a challenge, and not for nothing, he’s always pushing my buttons. I’m not seeking him out. If anything, he’s a stalker. I know he’s not, but still.
“I didn’t see them,” Kory tells her.
“God, I love it when Luke loses his shit on the ice.” Lana licks her lips. “It’s fucking hot.” On that we agree. Though I’d never say that shit out loud. “I heard he was pissed because one of the guys was talking about me.”
“You want to walk around?” I turn my attention to Georgia, not wanting to hear this.
“I bet he’s still all worked up. That’s when he does his best work, if you know what I mean,” I hear Lana say. Her words make my stomach curl.
“Yeah,” Georgia agrees. I’ll circle back to Kory later. I’m honestly not sure what I should tell her. I’d have to admit to breaking into the coach’s office. Both my break-in and them cheating would be hot gossip.
Georgia and I find the kitchen, and I get us both drinks, opening them myself. A few people from classes stop and talk to me. Everyone is still so new, but for the most part, they are fairly nice. It’s the selective few that want to make everyone else miserable to hide their own unhappiness.
That said, a lot of them stand by and let others get away with it. I often find that can be worse. If no one speaks up, that’s how things get out of control. Evil people will be that, but it’s everyone around them that allows it.
Georgia and I sip on our drinks and wander around. I’m checking the place out and not trying to spot Luke. We step out onto the back deck to get some air, having to scoot around a few people and almost getting hit with a ping-pong ball.
“This is a lot.” Georgia lets out a loud breath.
“We can leave if you want.” My eyes sweep over all the people around the pool. That’s when I spot him off to the side with Grant. Luke lifts the beer in his hand and takes a drink, his eyes trained on me.
“No, I’m good. I got this,” Georgia says, her voice filled with more confidence. It might be alcohol-induced. I flick my eyes away from Luke and let them linger on a few others to make it seem as though I’m merely watching everyone. “You know Luke and his friend are staring over here.”
“Grant.” I’ve shared a couple of words with him. He’s new too. Caleb joins them, as do a few other hockey players from the team.
“I think he’s into you.”
“Luke?” I laugh. “He wants to murder me.”
“I meant Grant. I don’t ever understand Luke. You never know what you’ll get from him.”
“Grant isn’t into me.”
“How do you know?” Georgia tucks one of her curls behind her ear.
“I don’t get the vibe from him.”
“He’s always watching.”
“Grant is always with Luke. I’m sure it’s related to that.” I polish off the rest of my drink, and we grab another round.
“Never seen you at one of these, Georgia.” Paul slides up beside us. We have one class together, and he is on the hockey team.
“Wanted to see what all the hype was about.” She shifts on her feet, and I know she’s uncomfortable, so I slide my arm into hers.
“And she’s doing me a solid by taking me around since I’m new,” I add, but Paul’s eyes remain trained on Georgia. See, now I’m getting a vibe, and it’s Paul being into Georgia.
“You’ve never been here, so maybe I should show you around,” he says to her. Georgia’s eyes widen a fraction.
Paul isn’t hard on the eyes. He’s tall with shaggy, short blond hair. All the players on the hockey team are built big. There are more abs around here than I could ever count.
“Ah, I—” She stumbles over her words. I’m about to cut in, but she finds her voice again. “You know what, sure.” She glances at me, and I nod for her to go and not worry about me. I’m shocked she agreed, but I know she is really trying to put herself out there more.
I give her a wink, letting her know I’ll be around.
“You kids have fun,” I joke as Paul leads her toward the kitchen area. I finish my drink and toss it into the trash before snagging another.
My phone starts to go off in my pocket. I pull it out and see it’s a text from Luke. I hate that I get this excited thrill when I see his name. He’s a freaking dick. I’m trying my hardest not to be attracted to him, but I’m finding it hard to control.
It’s hormones. That’s all. Nothing more.