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Reed shot him a scowl but didn’t argue. I imagined even Reed thought twice about taking his twin brother on.
I said a rushed goodbye to Reed before I followed Paige and Parker to the back door of the house. I glanced over my shoulder before we reached it and found Reed was already talking seriously with Matt. This might have been his best friend’s house, but Reed looked like he was taking charge. I hoped Grayson wouldn’t have to go to any great lengths to keep his brother from getting in trouble, like he’d suggested.
When we got outside, there were still kids dashing in every direction. Some were hopping over the back fence and running into the woods behind Matt’s house while a few others had even climbed up into the trees as if the cops wouldn’t think to shine their flashlights a few feet above their heads. I even heard a few giggles coming from a small pink and white children’s playhouse, and it looked like at least three people had squeezed themselves inside the tiny toy home to hide. The backyard and the woods beyond still echoed with both screams and laughter.
Parker didn’t sprint across the grass like everyone else though. He walked casually but with authority as he guided me and Paige toward the back fence to a gate that was partially obstructed by an overgrown bush.
“You don’t think they’ll get in trouble, do you?” I asked, peering back toward the house.
“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Paige said, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze. “This isn’t the first time.”
“Yeah, don’t worry,” Parker agreed. “Grayson’s scowl will probably make the cops turn and run in the other direction. I can’t believe Reed put me on babysitting duty.”
“Hey!” Paige and I both complained at once.
“Just joking,” Parker grinned. “Sort of.”
His relaxed attitude made me feel a little better. If Parker wasn’t worried, I shouldn’t be either, right?
We managed to get back to Grayson’s car without incident, and by the time we reached it, the street had turned quiet. I was guessing that meant most of the partygoers had either left or were in hiding. Parker didn’t seem too concerned about racing for the car or darting between trees as I’d seen some kids do. I couldn’t decide if he was brave, stupid, or just arrogant enough that he really didn’t think he could get in trouble.
Parker dropped Paige home first. She lived just a few streets from Matt, but she didn’t look particularly pleased to be back at her house so soon. We still hadn’t heard from Grayson or Reed, and we exchanged phone numbers before she got out of the car so we could text each other the moment we heard anything about the party.
It was only as Parker pulled up outside my house that a text finally came through.
Reed: All good here. There were no cops. It was a prank by some Saints players. They even brought their own fake siren.
I released a sigh of relief. “It was a prank,” I told Parker, and I noticed his grasp on the steering wheel loosen. Apparently, he’d been more worried than he had let on.
“I’m going to kill those Saints,” Parker grumbled before I’d even explained who was behind the prank. “I was about to score with the hottest girl in our year. Their timing couldn’t have been worse.”
“And on that note, I’m going to go,” I replied. “Thanks for driving me home, Parker. I know you wanted to stay, so I really appreciate it.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal. “You’re Reed’s girl,” he replied. “That makes you family.”
I had no idea how to respond. It humbled me to know how easily Parker, and all Reed’s family and friends, had accepted me. But it also filled me with guilt knowing we were deceiving them all. I desperately wished what Parker had said was true. That I really was Reed’s girl.
I smiled at him before stepping out of the car and making my way to the house. I waited until I was in my room before I replied to Reed’s message.
Me: Glad you’re okay. What happened?
Reed: Not much. They ran off as soon as Matt, Grayson, and I went out front to confront them.
Reed: Sorry our night was ruined. I still owe you the story of how I got my scar. Can you meet me at the rink tomorrow morning? There’s something I need to show you to help explain.
I frowned down at my phone. In all the excitement of fleeing Matt’s house, I’d completely forgotten Reed had been about to tell me what happened with his scar. I drew in a breath before I responded.
Me: I have work at 11, but I can meet you before?
Reed: Great. Come by just after 10.
Reed: And please promise you won’t think less of me…
I stared at his final message and tried to figure out what he could mean by that. Was the story of how he got his scar really so terrible? And if it was, did I even want to hear his explanation? Nothing had gone according to plan tonight, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face any more surprises. But I guessed that was a problem for tomorrow.
Whatever Reed had to show me, I just hoped I wouldn’t think less of him too.
23
