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“Hell yes! It’s going to be fun!” Her voice booms over the music as she raises her free hand in the air. “It's Friday night, baby!”
Brogan does not give a flying fuck who hears her, what anyone thinks of her, or what anyone has to say about her. I admire that so much. She seriously is who I want to be when I grow up. It’s funny considering she’s only seventeen and I’m older than her, but it’s the truth.
I spot Julia walking toward us, her hand slicing through the air as she waves. “You made it!” She looks freaking adorable in her baggy jean overalls and cut-off white shirt underneath. She’s only about five feet tall with a short bob cut and bangs. She sort of reminds me of Velma from Scooby-Doo, but with much more appeal.
Brady is running up behind her while holding two cups, one in each hand. He’s sporting another Hawaiian button-up shirt—this one mint green with palm trees on it—and a pair of tight-as-hell skinny jeans. “Slow down, wench,” he hollers to Julia, trying to balance the cups without spilling them.
“Oh God,” Brogan mumbles. “I don't know who these crazy people are, but if we just keep walking, maybe they’ll pass by us.”
I chuckle as I unwrap my arm from hers. “Stop it. Those are my friends.”
“You have friends?”
“I met them at school. They’re a lot of fun.”
“Yeah.” She pauses for a beat. “I can see that.”
Picking up my pace, I meet Julia and Brady halfway, mostly to save Brady from spilling those drinks all over himself. But also because I’m pretty excited to see them. I knew they’d be here, but I have to admit, I was a little nervous I might not find them in the crowd.
“I see how it is.” I hear Brogan grumble from behind me. “So you have friends now and I’m just chopped liver.”
“For you, my dear.” Brady passes me a drink, warranting a side-eye glare from Julia.
“Hey,” Julia hisses at Brady. “Where’s my drink?”
I laugh. “You can have it.” I put my fingers on the cup and move it toward Julia while it’s still in Brady’s hand.
Instead of taking that one, Julia snatches the other cup from him. “That’s okay. I’ll just drink his.” She smirks at him over the rim of the cup as she takes a drink.
“Thank you,” I tell Brady as I accept his offer. I bring the cup about an inch from my nose, and my suspicions of it being alcohol are confirmed when the smell of diluted ethanol rolls up my nostrils. With no intention of drinking it, I hold the cup anyway. It makes me feel like less of a goody two-shoes, and it also eliminates the need for anyone else to try and give me a drink.
Julia throws an arm around my shoulders, still holding the cup that’s sloshing liquid. I crane my neck, trying to make sure it’s not spilling on me. “We are so happy you’re here.” She beams excitedly, the stench of vodka on her breath.
Brogan joins us and I slither slowly out of Julia’s hold on me. “Guys, this is my sister, Brogan.”
“Welcome to mi casa,” Brady says, taking me by surprise as he offers a hand to Brogan. “The fire is warm. The drinks are cold. And the music is dance-worthy.”
Brogan accepts his handshake. “Thanks for having us.”
“Wait a minute,” I cut in. “This is your party, as in your house?”
“My party—my parents’ house. But don’t worry. They’re out of town until sometime next week, working on some campaign bullshit.”
Brady Newton. It all clicks. Senator Newton. Brady’s dad is the damn state senator. I’m not sure why I’m surprised, but I am.
I don’t get it. If Brady throws these immaculate parties, then why is Rome so cruel to him? Better yet, why would Brady allow Rome to come to his house after the way he treated him?
There is so much to learn about these people and this lifestyle I’ve been thrust into.
“Shall we?” Julia says, motioning to the house.
We all walk together and join the party. There are people inside, outside, and I think I even saw someone trying to climb on the roof from an upper balcony, but I can’t be certain. Perhaps they were looking for a window.
It looks like the entire junior and senior classes are here, and even students from the surrounding schools. The party is insane. Drinks are flowing, bass is thumping through my body, and it looks like an all-around good time.
The house looks even bigger as I stand in front of it. Like, three times the size of Grant’s house. Everything is pristine and white—the house, the marble stairs leading up to it, the shutters. Two large pillars frame the entrance and in the center of the freshly cut front lawn, a water fountain glows with colorful lights.
“Who wants to go out back by the fire?” Brady asks, pointing from Julia, to me, to Brogan.
