Chapter 15
anything you want
MIA
October, Last Year
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” Chia squeals as she launches herself into my hotel room and squeezes me tight. “I can’t believe you’re actually here!”
“Ow,” I whine.
She rears back. “What’s wrong?”
“My tattoo.” I turn a little so she can see the ink I got done yesterday.
She claps her hand over her mouth, her eyes sparkling. “Shut the front door! No way!”
I smile, nodding. “Yes way. It was a birthday gift from my dad.”
“Your dad is a rock star. I can’t believe he let you get a tattoo.”
“I’m eighteen now. He knows I would’ve just gone on my own. He figured he might as well tag along.”
“You have him wrapped around your little finger for sure.”
I take her hand and pull her inside, and for a minute, all we do is study one another, both wearing silly smiles. We’ve seen each other so many times via FaceTime or Snapchat, but this is the first time in almost four years we’ve been in the same room.
“You’re so beautiful.” I loop my arms around her for a gentler hug. “And I missed you so much.”
“Missed you too.” She releases me. “I’ve spent four years hating that my bestie lives states away.”
“I know the feeling.”
Eyes narrowed, she pouts. “No, you don’t.”
“Is this about Jeff again?”
“Maybe.”
Head thrown back, I laugh. “You’re still my best best friend. No one could ever take your place.”
“Good to know.”
“You’re the only one who knows I’m in Monterey—other than my dad, of course. Isn’t that proof enough you’re the most important person in my life?”
Chia grins. “I can’t believe you really pulled off the surprise.”
I shrug. “Still gotta show up on Mom’s porch tomorrow morning, ready to spend two days with her. Only then will I have officially made it happen.”
She breaks into a grin. “Remember how I told you Romero is throwing a masquerade party for Halloween?”
I nod.
“I scored an invite, and I know exactly where to get costumes.”
As we head out, discussing costume ideas—agreeing that masks aren’t enough; we want wigs too—I feel lighter than I have in a long time.
Long, blonde wig in place, I assess myself in the mirror.
The Alice in Wonderland outfit makes me giddy.
It was fate that the store had a single one left that fits me perfectly.
The blue dress and crisp, white apron are reminiscent of what Alice wore in the animated movie, but the skirt is short, hitting me mid-thigh.
The bodice hugs my full breasts and narrow waist in a way that makes me look far from innocent.
The blonde wig makes me seem a little pale, but in this case, that’s a plus. There’s a chance someone I know will be at this party, so I’ll take all the help I can get staying in disguise—although I haven’t been home in almost four years, so I can’t imagine anyone would remember me anyway.
After some nude lip gloss to complete my look, I study my reflection.
Maybe the brown contacts are overkill since I’ll be wearing a mask, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The last thing I want is for Mom to find out I came home today when I don’t plan on showing up at her house until tomorrow.
Chia knocks on the door. “Are you ready?”
I open my mouth with a pop, and with a wink at my reflection, I pick up the sleek, lacy black mask to cover half my face. “Yes,” I say as I open the door.
Tonight is going to be amazing.
The house is packed and loud. Dozens of people stand around with red cups in their hands, most wearing masks.
Some partygoers, like us, have gone all-out with their costumes.
Others are wearing masks with their street clothes.
There’s even someone dressed as…Pennywise?
Seriously? The music is deafening, the bass reverberating through me, lighting me up from the inside.
“Thank you for agreeing to this.” Chia, who’s dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, is grinning from ear to ear.
“Leaving you on your own wasn’t an option,” I tell her. “But are you sure Matt won’t be here?”
“I’m sure.” She loops her arm through mine. “There’s a huge party on campus. The whole football team will be there. Promise.”
With a deep inhale, I will myself to relax. She’s right. Matt does everything with the guys from the team. I scan the living room, taking in the crowd each time the strobe lights flash. “Where do you want to start?”
“Let’s get drinks.”
I follow her deeper into the house, staying close so we don’t get separated in the crowd.
“Oh, the bar’s over there.” I tug on her arm and cross the room, weaving between people.
“Promise me you won’t get drunk.” Chia curls her fingers around my wrist, halting me in my tracks. “I love parties, but drunk people make me nervous.”
My heart clenches. “I promise.”
“And please don’t leave me alone. I might be way more socially awkward than you remember.”
“Never.” I grasp her hand and squeeze.
I may love the excitement that comes with doing something forbidden, but I’m not one to be reckless, and a party full of people we don’t know definitely runs the risk of reckless.
An hour later, Chia and I are on the dance floor, alongside a cute brunette dressed as Catwoman.
The anonymity her mask provides has given Chia a boost of confidence, if the way she and Catwoman are dancing is any indication.
I’ve put a little space between myself and them to give them privacy, but I’m close enough to reach out to my best friend if either of us needs anything.
Eyes closed, hips swaying to the beat, I’m lost in the moment.
But as another song begins, a rush of energy goes through me, and I snap my eyes open.
Someone is watching me. I turn, still moving to the beat, and instantly lock eyes with a tall guy sitting on the couch.
The top half of his face is covered by a black mask, his features indiscernible.
There are several guys gathered around him, deep in conversation, but he doesn’t pay them any attention. He’s staring at me.
This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed him tonight, and it’s not the first time I’ve caught him watching me.
With my hands on my stomach, I emphasize my movements, keeping my focus fixed on him.
He leans forward, his elbows on his knees.
His hair is blond, but that’s the only feature I can make out.
I don’t know what it is, but he intrigues me.
Though I’m typically on guard around men I don’t know, I can’t muster up even an ounce of caution here.
Instead, I lean into the moment, taunting him with each dip of my hips.
The music, the bass vibrating through me, and his rapt attention lull me into a trance.
I’m rudely pulled from it by a sharp smack to my ass.
Heart lurching, I spin, bringing my hands up defensively.
A guy in a Spider-Man costume stands in front of me, wearing a sleazy smile.
He angles in, head lowered, and the scent of alcohol envelopes me.
“The way you move your hips? It’s so fucking hot.”
“Thanks, but it wasn’t for you,” I say, folding my arms over my chest.
The music fades, and “Shape of You” starts, turning my frustration into full-on annoyance. I love this song, and now, I can’t even dance because of this guy.
He steps into me. “I’ve been watching you. You’re here alone, blondie.”
With a snort, I tilt my head to the side. “I’m not alone.”
“But—”
“Fuck off.” The deep, guttural tone sends shivers down my spine.
Spider-Man peers over my shoulder and takes a step back.
“I didn’t know she was with you.” He scurries away, pushing through the crowd as if Death is after him.
Turning around, I find myself in front of the guy I’ve been watching. He’s over six feet, with a muscular chest and broad shoulders hidden beneath a black T-shirt. His right arm is covered in black ink, his legs clad in blue jeans. Up close, it’s confirmed: his hair is blond.
“Thanks, but I had it under control,” I say, loud enough to be heard over the music.
“I’m sure you did, but I wanted to help, just in case.” He shrugs, his plump lips twisting into a lopsided grin. “I don’t think we’ve met. Are you new in town?”
My lips involuntarily stretch into a big smile. My plan is working. I’m a stranger here.
“I’m just visiting a friend.” The half-truth slips out of my mouth with ease. “This party sounded fun, so we thought we’d check it out. So far, so good. The music is great. This is one of my favorite songs.”
Focus fixed on my masked face, he takes a step closer. “Wanna go somewhere less crowded?”
A thrill zips up my spine as the idea of hooking up with a stranger in a mask sends adrenaline through me. A one-night stand, without names or plans to see each other again? I could get behind that.
“Sure. I’ve been meaning to look for a bathroom. Will you show me where it is?”
“Of course.” He holds out a hand, and I take it.
His skin is warm and callused, as if he works with his hands.
None of the boys I’ve been with have felt like this, so solid and capable.
It sets my body on fire. The buzz in my ears drowns out the deafening music, and my heart pummels my rib cage.
I’ve never hooked up with a guy I just met, never had sex at a party.
The forbidden nature of it is tantalizing, and liquid heat pools in my core.
God, I’m already so turned on, and he’s done nothing but hold my hand.
As we pass Chiara, I discreetly give her a thumbs-up. She shakes her head and smiles. I’ll be back soon, I mouth, but she’s already focused on Catwoman again.
The blond leads me upstairs. We pass a room where several people are playing a game that’s half Cards Against Humanity and half spin the bottle.
“The crowd is really something else.” He grins. “Probably the masks. The anonymity gives people the courage to step out of their comfort zones, like Spider-Man down there. Harry. He’s only eighteen and usually shy. He’s my friend’s little brother.”