“Tortureourselves?” I giggle. “Carly, I’m torturingthem. I mean, not tonight. I promise I’ve got no intention of doing anything to Blaze, Asch, or River.”
Even if they deserve it.
Even if they hate me.
They aren’t allowed to hate me.
They’re supposed to love me.
I look around the room until I spot a Nyxie I recognize from my Intro to Biochemistry class. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to some people. You need to get out more anyway, Carly.”
Carly grumbles but she follows me, and I hook her up with Tanya, who is a total nerd about esoteric stuff. I was right that she and Carly would hit it off, because they’re soon talking aboutthe latest indie movie they watched at a recent showing on campus.
While they’re chatting, I glance around the room. I’m looking for one specific person.
I don’t spot my target, but I do see somebody dressed up in boxing gear. River.
I smile and wave at him.
His eyes flick up and down over me, and I can practically see it even from across the room when he recognizes me. He doesn’t quite turn his back on me — he’s smart that way — but he does turn so he’s not looking directly at me.
Guess he’s still salty about the sauna thing.
I could have done so much worse to him.
I reach into my pocket and curl my hand around one of the “party favors” I’d brought. It’d be hilarious to see him take one, but my anger at him has mellowed a bit.
Besides, I have other plans.
After half an hour, I finally spot the person I’ve been looking for.
Tate.
He’s talking to a woman dressed as an angel. It’s a very basic costume, which kind of matches Tate’s equally basic “basketball player” outfit.
He’s on the hockey team, I think. Or maybe he was on the swim team?
Who even cares.
Both of them have their large red cups in hand, and Tate chugs his drink down. Judging from how red his face is, he’s had a few drinks already. Perfect.
I sidle up to the two. Hopefully Tate isn’t actually interested in this woman. Although if he is, I’m going to be doing her a favor.
“Hi,” I say, pitching my voice up. “Tate, right?”
Tate and the angel both seem surprised. “Uh, yeah?”
I smile at him. “I saw you play the other day. You were amazing.”
He lights up. “You came to my hockey game?”
Score one for me. I remembered what dumb team sport he plays.
The angel frowns. “Sorry, who are you? We were in the middle of something.”
I ignore her and subtly position myself closer to Tate. “Yeah. I loved seeing your…” I run my hand along his exposed bicep. “...form. You’re in peak condition.”
The obvious flattery should have given me away, but Tate eats it up. I guess I’m such a sure thing, he doesn’t want to invest in chatting with the angel anymore.
