Chapter 16 #2
“Trust me, if I were going to kill you, you’d know it.” I snort out a laugh.
She rolls her eyes. “You’re my wing woman tonight.”
“I am?”
“Yes.” She crosses her arms. “Best friends help best friends get with guys.”
“Does this mean you’re expecting me to find a guy, too? Because I’m telling you now, that’s not happening.” I have my eyes on my three, that's it. The idea of flirting or dancing with another guy who isn’t them makes me shudder.
“Oh shit.” Her eyes widen. “I’m sorry. Are you gay?”
“What?” I splutter, then burst out laughing. “No.”
“Ace?”
“Uh, no?” I mean, maybe? I’ve only been sexually attracted to the guys, never anyone else. So, it’s a possibility.
“Do you have your eye on someone then?” She grins, wiggling her brows.
I bite my lip, not sure how to answer.
“Oh my god, you do.” She sits down on her bed next to me. “Okay, spill. Who is it?”
“It doesn’t matter because they don’t see me.” I avert my gaze not wanting to look her in the eyes, and keep my attention fixed on the pillow I grab, placing it in my lap.
“They?” she asks. “So, there’s more than one guy?”
“I don’t wanna talk about it,” I sigh heavily. “Me and people don’t mix. Apart from you, everyone else thinks I’m weird. I don’t have a chance at getting their attention anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Well, everyone else is stupid. I think you're amazing.”
“Thanks.” I laugh, smiling as a warm feeling flutters in.
“And the guys,” she adds on.
“Huh?”
“My brother and his friends, I mean. The guys don’t think you're weird,” she says.
“Are you sure about that?” I chew on my lip.
Her eyes flick between mine. “Oh my god, it’s them, isn’t it?”
“No,” I say quickly, eyes widening in panic.
“Babe,” she groans, and I hate the sympathetic look on her face. “I love you, I love them. But they are not worth it. They would eat you alive. You’re too good for them anyway.”
My jaw clenches. Great, even Callie thinks I’m too much of a goodie-two-shoes for them. Lovely.
“It doesn't matter,” I say a little harshly. “They’re not who I was talking about.”
“Okay, okay.” She holds her hands up. “But… you can still have fun and dress up with me, right?”
If it gets her to stop asking me about who I like, then fine. “I don’t have anything.”
“It’s a good thing I do.” Her lips curve into a slow grin.
Oh boy.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask Callie as we walk down the stairs. The party started ten minutes ago, but I was terrified to leave her room. This dress is… a lot. Almost too much. It’s not something I’d normally wear.
I can’t deny I look hot in it, though.
Callie let me borrow one of her dresses. It’s a forest green dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a neckline that shows off my cleavage, with the bottom half having some flowy layers.
She also did my hair, putting it half up and half down in loose curls. I’m not one to wear makeup, but I did put on some pink lip gloss and mascara.
I feel cute.
But god, do I ever feel out of place.
I refused to wear the heels she recommended because I’d fall and break my neck. So, I opted for a pair of strappy white sandals that go up over the ankle.
“Is it too formal?”
“No,” Callie promises. “It’s perfect. I made sure to say in the invitation, casual dressy, so it’s not too little, not too much. Just right.”
“Okay, Goldilocks,” I snort, and she laughs.
“Come on. Let’s go have fun!”
“Yay,” I reply dryly, making her laugh harder.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I take a moment to look around. This place is a hell of a lot bigger than mine.
We’re in the Garden District, so while there are lots of mansions, they’re built higher than wider. And not on a ton of land.
At least not the ones near me.
For the guys, on the other hand, I guess bigger is better.
I love that it still has all the original foundation, by the looks of it. They didn’t seem to do a lot of renovating to keep up with the times. I like it.
However, I haven’t been able to see anything else but the front entrance and Callie’s room yet.
It was too risky to sneak off and set up the cameras earlier.
I wanted to wait until the party started because if I do get caught, I can use the good old ‘Sorry, I was trying to find the bathroom’ line.
Being considered sweet and naive might come in handy if that happens.
No one would believe I was doing something I shouldn’t be.
“Callie!” I hear Sylas’ voice before I see him. “You throw a fucking party but can’t even be there to supervise it?”
“Relax. We were just getting ready. I believe being fashionably late is more than an adequate reason.”
“You’re such a girl,” Sylas whines. I still haven’t turned around to face him, frozen on the spot. He’s never seen me dressed like this before. Oh god, what if he hates it?
“Whatever. I look hot,” Callie states proudly. “And so does Nola.”
“Nola?” Sylas asks. “Where is Nola? She’s here?”
“Are you blind?” Callie asks, grabbing my shoulders and spinning me around. “She’s right here.”
The look on Sylas’ face is comical. “What the fuck?” he whispers.
I’m not sure if I should laugh or be offended.
“Sylas, what the fuck!” Callie hits his arm. “Don’t be rude. She looks great.”
“That’s not Nola.” Sylas points to me, shaking his head before glaring at his sister.
“Fuck off. Leave her alone.”
His eyes track over me, and I feel my body heat up under his attention. It’s a good thing this dress has padded layers over the breast area or he’d see just how turned on I was becoming.
“Fuck. Me,” he groans.
The word ‘okay’ is on the tip of my tongue.
“Okay, and now you’re being a perv,” Callie huffs. “Go away. Do your own thing.” She waves him off.
No. Stay!
“I swear, Callie, if anyone breaks anything, I’m going to kill you,” he hisses. “I mean it. And no more parties here. Keep it to the cemetery."
“It’s only a few people. Relax.”
“I don’t want people snooping around.” He shoots back at her with a no-nonsense tone to his words.
“No one is allowed to go upstairs other than us and Lola. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Fine,” He huffs. “Be good.”
Turning around, he storms off.
Come back!
“Sorry about him. I swear the man only thinks with his dick.”
“I don’t mind,” I tell her. I really, really don't.
I was nervous before about what I was wearing, but now I want to see Jasper’s and Wesley’s reactions.
Callie pulls me into the main part of the house, where everyone is. They’re all drinking and dancing. When I see that everyone is dressed similarly to us, I relax a little bit. I can blend in a lot easier this way.
“Want a drink?” Callie asks, going to the fridge.
“Just a soda,” I answer. I plan on having a busy night. I don’t want to be intoxicated and leave behind evidence.
She hands me a Coke and grabs a wine cooler for herself.
“So, what do we do now?” I ask, opening the can and taking a sip.
We lean against the counter, observing the people around us.
“I don’t know,” she says. “I’ve never been to a party.” She looks at me, and we both burst out laughing.
“What are we even doing?” Callie groans.
“I believe you wanted to get the chance to talk to a hot guy?” I remind her. “Where is he?”
“I don’t see him,” Callie says, leaning up on her tiptoes, looking out over the crowd of people. “Wanna dance while we wait?"
“Sure.” I shrug. “I gotta warn you, I can’t dance.”
“I’m pretty sure most people here can’t,” she laughs. “Just move your hips to the beat.”
“If you say so.” I laugh too, shaking my head.
We finish our drinks, then head out onto the homemade dance floor. It’s an open space in the room where people are dancing.
The music is a playlist from the early 2000’s, so most of the songs are pretty good.
I laugh and smile while I dance with Callie, forgetting all about the people around us. They don’t matter.
After a few songs, we walk back to the kitchen to get another drink.
“Oh god,” Callie groans, getting my attention.
“What?” I ask, looking around.
“Don’t look!” Callie hisses, turning away.
“Why?” I ask, spinning around, heart racing. Are we in danger or something?
“Ladies,” a male voice sounds behind us.
“Too late,” Callie whisper-hisses. “Go away,” she mutters, spinning around.
I turn around too, finding a guy standing there.
My brows pinch as recognition hits me. This guy is one of Jasper, Wesley, and Sylas’ friends. Someone from the Brotherhood. I don’t think they’re as close with him as they are with one another, but I have seen him with them a lot on the footage Skittles gets for me.
“What do you want, Gary?” Callie barks, crossing her arms.
“Ouch, Calliope. You wound me. You know my name. Don’t be mean,” he taunts with a chuckle.
“I wish I didn’t,” Callie huffs.
“Garrett Holland.” He holds out his hand for me to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“It’s not nice to meet you.” Callie slaps his hand away. “Leave my friend alone.”
“This one bites.” Garrett grins wider, his eyes on me. “It’s kind of hot.”
“Dear god,” Callie groans. “Seriously, go away, you perv.”
“Hey, I’ve only ever been a gentleman.” He raises his hands.
“If you don’t fuck off, I’m going to go get my brother,” she threatens.