Party Mishaps

Chapter One

Lindor

The thing about secrets is that they feel romantic until they don't.

For six months, I'd convinced myself that sneaking around with Jonah was exciting.

That the stolen moments in his car, the late-night texts, the way he'd pull me into dark corners at parties when no one was looking—it was all part of some grand love story.

Romeo and Juliet, but modern. Forbidden because he was my brother Freddy's best friend, and we didn't want to complicate things.

That's what he always said. We don't want to complicate things, baby. Let's just keep this between us for now.

For now had stretched into half a year.

I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting the deep red dress I'd bought specifically for tonight. Freddy's 21st birthday party. The big one. And I'd thought—stupidly, naively—that maybe tonight would be different. Maybe tonight, Jonah would finally stop hiding me.

My phone buzzed on the dresser.

Jonah: Can't wait to see you tonight. You're going to look incredible.

I smiled despite myself, fingers flying over the screen.

Me: Maybe you'll actually talk to me in public this time?

The three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again.

Jonah: You know how it is. Freddy would lose his shit. Soon, I promise. Love you.

I stared at those last two words. He'd started saying them about a month ago, always in text, never out loud. Always when I was pushing for more, for something real and tangible.

"Fuck," I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed.

"Language!" My mom's voice carried up the stairs, and I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry, Mom!"

I grabbed my phone again, scrolling to my messages with Rennedy.

Me: Tell me again why I'm doing this?

Rennedy: Because you're hopelessly in love with a man who doesn't deserve you, and you refuse to listen to reason. Also, I'll be there in 10. Wear the red dress.

Me: Already am.

Rennedy: That's my girl. Axel's driving us, btw.

My stomach did a weird flip at the mention of Rennedy's older brother. Axel had always been... complicated. He looked at me in a way that made me feel seen, really seen, in a way Jonah never quite managed. But Axel was Rennedy's brother, and I was with Jonah, and that was that.

Except Rennedy had been not-so-subtly trying to push us together for months.

"He's perfect for you," she'd say. "Forget Jonah. Axel actually gives a shit."

But I'd made my choice. I'd chosen Jonah, with his dark eyes and his promises and his insistence that what we had was special enough to keep hidden.

I finished my makeup—smoky eyes, red lips to match the dress—and tried to ignore the knot of anxiety in my stomach.

Tonight would be fine. Tonight would be fun.

It was Freddy's birthday, and I'd celebrate my brother turning 21, and maybe, just maybe, Jonah would pull me aside and tell me he was ready to stop hiding.

The doorbell rang, and I heard Freddy thundering down the stairs to answer it.

"Rennedy! Axel! Come in, come in!"

I took one last look in the mirror, grabbed my clutch, and headed downstairs.

Rennedy was already in the foyer, looking gorgeous in a black mini dress that showed off her legs. But it was Axel who made me pause on the stairs.

He stood just inside the door, hands in the pockets of his dark jeans, a fitted black button-down that did absolutely nothing to hide the muscles underneath.

His dirty blonde hair was slightly messy in that way that looked effortless but probably wasn't, and when his eyes landed on me, they darkened.

"Lindor," he said, my name coming out rougher than it should have. "You look..."

"Hot as fuck," Rennedy finished, grinning. "I told her to wear the red dress."

"Good call," Axel murmured, still looking at me.

I felt heat creep up my neck. "Thanks. You guys look great too."

Freddy appeared from the kitchen, already buzzed if the flush on his cheeks was any indication. "Pre-gaming started without you! Let's go, let's go! Jonah's already at the venue setting up."

My heart skipped. "He is?"

"Yeah, he's been there for like an hour. Said he wanted to make sure everything was perfect for my big night." Freddy grinned, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Best friend goals, right?"

"Right," I echoed, trying to ignore the way Axel's jaw tightened.

We piled into Axel's car—Rennedy in front, me and Freddy in back.

The venue was only fifteen minutes away, some trendy bar downtown that Freddy had rented out for the night.

As we drove, Freddy rambled about his plans for the evening, about the people who were coming, about how this was going to be the best night ever.

I stared out the window and tried to calm my racing heart.

Jonah would be there. After weeks of barely seeing him, of stolen moments and secret texts, I'd finally get to be in the same room with him for more than five minutes.

Even if I couldn't touch him. Even if I had to pretend he was just Freddy's friend.

Soon, I reminded myself. He promised.

When we pulled up to the venue, music was already thumping from inside. People milled around outside, smoking and laughing. I recognized most of them—Freddy's friends from college, some of my own friends, family members.

"This is going to be epic!" Freddy crowed, practically bouncing as we walked toward the entrance.

Rennedy linked her arm through mine. "You okay?" she asked quietly.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you've got that look. The one you get when you're about to see Jonah and have to pretend you're not desperately in love with him."

I elbowed her. "Shut up."

"I'm just saying, my brother is right there, looking at you like you hung the moon, and you're pining over a guy who won't even hold your hand in public."

"Rennedy—"

"I know, I know. You love him. He loves you. It's complicated." She sighed. "Just... keep your options open, okay?"

Before I could respond, we were inside, swallowed up by the crowd and the music and the chaos of the party.

I scanned the room, looking for Jonah. It didn't take long to spot him—he was near the bar, talking to someone I didn't recognize. My heart leapt, and I started to move toward him.

Then he turned, and I saw who he was talking to.

Chelsea Morrison.

She was beautiful in that effortless way some girls were—long blonde hair, perfect skin, a body that looked like she lived at the gym. She was also touching Jonah's arm, leaning in close to say something that made him laugh.

I froze.

Rennedy's hand tightened on my arm. "Lin..."

"It's fine," I said automatically. "He's just talking to her."

But even as I said it, I watched Chelsea's hand slide down Jonah's arm to his hand. Watched him let her. Watched him smile at her in a way that made my stomach turn.

"I need a drink," I muttered, pulling away from Rennedy and heading for the other side of the bar.

I ordered a vodka cranberry and downed half of it in one gulp, trying to ignore the sick feeling in my gut. It was nothing. Chelsea was probably just some friend. Jonah wouldn't—

"Easy there, Red."

I turned to find Axel beside me, his expression concerned. "You okay?"

"Fine," I lied, finishing my drink and signaling for another.

Axel followed my gaze across the room to where Jonah and Chelsea were still talking. His expression hardened. "You deserve better than this."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" He moved closer, his voice low. "I've watched you for six months, Lindor. Watched you light up every time he texts you, watched you make excuses for why he can't be seen with you, watched you settle for scraps when you deserve the whole damn meal."

"Axel—"

"I'm not trying to start a fight. I'm just saying... you're worth more than being someone's secret."

Before I could respond, Freddy's voice boomed over the speakers. "Alright, alright, everyone! Thank you for coming to celebrate me becoming legal! Let's get this party started!"

The crowd cheered, and I used the distraction to slip away from Axel, my second drink in hand. I needed air. I needed space. I needed—

I needed to stop seeing Jonah with his hand on Chelsea's waist as they moved toward the dance floor.

My phone buzzed.

Jonah: You look beautiful tonight. Wish I could tell you in person.

I stared at the message, then at him across the room, laughing with Chelsea like she was the only person in the world.

Something cold settled in my chest.

This was going to be a long night.