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I slowly nodded. It was comforting to hear that, especially since I barely knew anyone who went to Ransom. Jeremy had never stuck with me at parties even when I’d first started at Sunshine Prep. But I’d always had Mia and Nicole as backup, and they wouldn’t be with me tonight.
That wasn’t the only reason I was nervous. Mia’s advice kept running through my mind, and I had no idea where this night was going to end up. Was I going to open up to Reed about what I was feeling? Was I going to kiss him? Was I going to flee the party with a broken heart? Maybe it would be none of those things. Or maybe it would be all three.
By the time we arrived at the party, the street was already filled with cars. Reed drove right by them and parked in the driveway of the house that was overflowing with people.
“Best friend privileges,” Reed explained as he pulled on the handbrake. “I get to park in the driveway, but I also have to help clean up in the morning, so it’s not always worth it.”
“Yeah, I can imagine.”
A wave of nerves hit me as I looked out the window at all the people milling in the front yard. When I’d agreed to come, I knew I might feel out of place, but it seemed so much more daunting now we were here.
“We don’t have to go inside if you don’t want,” Reed said, watching me.
My thoughts must have been clearly etched on my face. “No, it’s fine,” I said. “We’ve got to show the girls of Ransom you’re a taken man, right?”
“Sure,” he agreed. “But let me know if you’re not comfortable at any point. We can just bail and go home if that’s what you want.”
“Okay.” I nodded, hoping it wouldn’t come to that. “I’ll let you know.”
Reed jumped from the truck and came around to meet me as I got out. He gave me a warm smile as he took my hand. “You really do look beautiful tonight, Sunshine. I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“Thanks.” Despite the freezing night air, I could feel myself flushing. I really struggled to accept compliments, especially when they came from Reed.
He gave me another soft smile before he nodded in the direction of the house. “Come on.”
As we made our way inside, Reed’s demeanor changed. He seemed taller, larger, like he had grown in stature the minute he entered the building. Everyone we saw appeared to take a step back to give him plenty of room to pass by, and while I was aware he intimidated the kids at Sunshine Prep, I hadn’t realized he was treated with a similar kind of caution by Ransom High kids too. While the reaction at my school was caused by fear and distrust, here it seemed people had a quiet sense of respect for Reed. The guys nodded to him as he passed, and girls swallowed nervously or shot him seductive smiles. If I hadn’t been on Reed’s arm, would they have been throwing themselves into his path?
I missed Reed’s smile when he was acting like this. He was always so soft and easygoing when it was just us or when he was around his family and close friends. I’d forgotten this darker side of him existed because we’d spent so much time around people he trusted, and I had to remind myself it was mostly just an act to maintain a certain reputation.
He quickly relaxed when we made it to the back of the house, where there was a den full of people hanging out, many of whom I recognized as guys from his hockey team.
“Finally,” Matt said, slapping Reed on the back in greeting. “I was worried you were going to bail on tonight.”
“Would I do that?” Reed asked.
“Yes. Yes, you would,” Matt replied with a laugh before he turned his attention on me. “Hey, Violet. We missed you at our game today.”
“Sorry, I had to work. Sounds like you did just fine without me though.”
“Ah, but who knows how many more goals we would have scored if you’d been there to cheer us on.” He winked. “Come on, let’s introduce you to some other victorious Devils.”
Matt threw an arm over my shoulder and led me away from Reed. Nerves rippled through me as our hands parted, but Reed stayed close while Matt went around introducing me to everyone. I remembered Owen from the pizza restaurant, but the names of the rest of the players went in one ear and out the other. They seemed like a nice group of guys, and I was surprised by how welcoming they all were. It had always felt like Jeremy’s friends simply put up with me. I’d only been here a few minutes, and these guys were embracing me as if I were one of their own.
When we got to the far end of the room, I grinned as Paige launched from Grayson’s side to come and hug me. We’d known each other less than a week, and yet it felt like we’d been friends forever.
“You don’t have a drink,” she said, almost instantly. “Do you want to go grab one?”
“Uh, sure,” I said, nodding for her to lead the way.
She linked her arm through mine and pulled me toward the other side of the den where there was a table stacked with drinks. Reed went to follow us, but Paige waved him off. “We’ll be back in a second. Your girl will be just fine with me.” She tugged me away before he could argue.
“Took you guys long enough to get here,” Paige said as we approached the drinks table. “I swear, we left the house at the same time as Reed, and that was ages ago.”
It was no surprise Paige had been hanging out at the Darling family’s house beforehand. It seemed like she and Grayson did everything together.
“We got a little held up,” I explained. “Reed and my uncle were having a bit of one-on-one time.”
“Oh no.” Paige laughed softly. “How did that go?”
