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Prologue
SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO
LOREN
I crossmy arms and glare at the back of my brother’s head. There’s no way any of these boys are making a move on me with him lurking around all night.
I lean back against the brick wall, watching as Tenley gazes up at Landry with a look of pure adoration. Of course, he justhadto come to my first boy-girl birthday party, even though he’s a grade ahead of everyone here, and now he’s ruined everything by askingmybest friend to dance. Tenley’s been crushing on Landry for what seems like forever, and while I want to be happy for her, since there’s a good chance she’s about to get that first kiss she’s been dreaming about, shedidleave me all alone on the loser wall … for my brother.
Hoobastank’s “The Reason” blares over the speakers in the backyard, and I huff as I watch the couples swaying awkwardly around the pool, the lights twinkling and reflecting off the water. It’s totally unromantic, and that song is stupid anyway. I tell myself I’m better off waiting for a more magical moment to get kissed for the first time.
My eyes dart around until I notice the empty pool house. There doesn’t seem to be any hope of getting asked to dance since everyone seems to have already paired up, and I can’t bear being the lone wallflower any longer. I resign myself to settling for the sanctuary of the empty building until the party is over. It’s not exactly the grand evening I imagined, but I’ve had enough embarrassment for one night.
As soon as I can tell no one is looking, I scramble over to the pool house and slip inside. There’s a futon and a few other furnishings, including a small bookshelf. I sift through the titles, settling on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Just as I make myself comfy on the lumpy futon, I hear the door creak open.
“Oh, sorry.” I glance up to find one of my classmates, Blake Bourgeois, standing in the open doorway. “I didn’t realize anyone was in here. But I can go if you want to be alone.” He hitches his thumb over his shoulder.
I shrug, already mortified over being found hiding out. “It’s fine. I just came in here because the party was so boring.”
He nods. “Totally lame.”
But he looks slightly dejected, and I can’t help it as a smile spreads across my face. It’s somewhat reassuring to see one of the most popular guys in my class striking out too. “You’re welcome to hang out here if you want. It’s not like I own the place or anything.”
He stuffs his hands in his pockets and glances down at his feet. “Okay. I’ll just …” He looks around the room for another seating option, but it seems as though the futon is it.
“It’s okay to sit. I won’t bite,” I offer with a smirk. He nods and blushes slightly before reluctantly taking a seat next to me. “Although I suppose you’re more worried about being seen with me,” I add softly.
He huffs out a short laugh as he turns to face me. “I’m not afraid of Landry Reed,” he says, raising his chin defiantly.
I roll my eyes. “Well, you might be the only boy here who isn’t. And if that’s not true, then I’m literally the least desirable girl at this party.”
“What makes you think that?” he asks, furrowing his brow.
“It’s not like any of you were lining up to fill my dance card tonight,” I mumble.
“Your what?”
I shake my head, reminding myself that most kids my age aren’t exactly fans of Regency era romance. “No one’s asked me to dance.” I feel dumb as soon as the words leave my mouth. “I’m also pretty sure my best friend is making out with my brother by now.”
He cringes. “If you mean Tenley Robin, then yeah. She and Landry were …” He clicks his tongue.
“Ugh, of course,” I groan. “He ruinseverything.”
“I know the feeling,” Blake says, sighing heavily. “My parents made me bring JD with me tonight. I think they wanted the free babysitter. But can you believe it? He’s eleven freaking years old, and they let him tag along.”
“He’s only eleven? Wow, I kind of thought …”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. He’s already taller than me. Everyone thinks he’s older.”
I can tell I’ve hit a nerve when he looks away and his ears turn red. “So, um, I guess your brother salted your game tonight too?”
He laughs. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Is he really out there dancing with someone?” I ask, my eyes growing wide. He nods, and I climb up on my knees to peer out of the window. Sure enough, the younger Bourgeois is locked in with a seventh-grade girl. “How?”
He shrugs. “It’s always like that for him.”
We’re both quiet for a minute before I speak again. “Is that why you left the party?”
