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Hawke shuts the car off and turns back to face Kate. “Some big movie producer. I forget his name, but he’s huge. That part I remember.”
A valet opens Hawke’s door for him. He drops the keys into the man’s hand as we all get out. I look up at the sheer opulence of the monstrosity, and then back at the lot of us. “We look like Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchets showing up at Scrooge’s house for Christmas. Way out of our comfort zone,” I joke.
Hawke laughs, a rare sound to hear. “Speak for yourself, man. This is normal for me.”
“Right.” I always forget that Hawke and Gavin grew up very different than those of us from Hackney. They’re both from this area and are used to money, trust funds, stodgy rich people, and parties that cost more than the crown jewels.
“Come on, I’ll be right here with you.” Gavin calmly takes Ellie’s hand and we follow them into a party filled to the brim with Hollywood elite.
I should be excited. This is what we’re trying to achieve. Fame, fortune, recognition for our music… yet all I want is to duck out with Kate and find out why she refuses to give us a chance. I’m tempted to pull her aside right now, but we’ve entered the mansion and the noise crashes over us, making conversation all but impossible.
Next thing I know, Gavin and Ellie have disappeared into the thick crowd. I turn to ask Hawke where we should look for Adam, but he’s gone too. It’s just Kate and me and she looks as if she’d rather be anywhere but here.
I lean down so she can hear me over the thumping music. “Can we talk?”
Kate flinches back at my question. “Let’s find Adam first, okay?” She crosses the room to a doorway on the right without saying another word. At least she didn’t say no. Not having much of a choice, which I fucking hate, I follow, but at a much slower pace. I’m too big to slip through the sea of bodies as easily as Kate.
I find myself alone in a long hallway with doors up and down either side. No sign of Kate. I’ve lost her.
“Fuck!”
This is stupid. My hands dig into my hair, gripping it hard and pulling. The urge to throw Kate down, tie her up, and spank her until she admits we’
d be great together nearly overwhelms me. Maddened, I check the rooms one at a time, opening the doors for a look before moving on to the next.
“Oh my god!” The loud screeching voice makes my entire body go tense. I brace for the unwanted physical contact that’s sure to follow that hideous sound. Sure enough, Lila launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“Lila.” I reach back and remove her hands. “What are you doing here?”
“Me? What are you doing here, silly? This is my dad’s house. You came to the party after all!”
“What?” Her dad? The big producer is Lila’s father? I’m so flustered, I don’t notice Lila rubbing her body all over me like a cat.
“My dad. This is his house. Now, I didn’t grow up here. My parents divorced so I only visited on weekends, but Daddy…”
I tune her out. Her dad. Shit. I wonder if Kate knows that Lila’s dad owns this house?
“Dax? Lila? What the hell is going on?”
Slowly, I turn to face Kate. Her face is red and her eyes glossy with tears. I look down to see Lila is still pressed up against me, wearing the same microscopic red dress she had on at the club. I back up as if Lila burned me.
“No. Kate…”
Kate spins on her heel, hurrying down the hall.
“Fuck.”
“Don’t worry about her, Dax. She knows that she doesn’t fit in with this crowd. I’m surprised you’d bring her.” Lila smiles, reaching up to put her hand on my chest.
“Sod off, Lila.” I take off after Kate, hoping she’ll let me explain.
By the time I catch up to Kate, she’s already talking to Ellie and Gavin. No one has found Adam yet. Hawke joins us and puts a beer in my hand. I’ve never been more thankful in my life to have a drink as I am right now.
Kate
Giggling. My dreadful, slutty, man-stealing flatmate is giggling from her side of the little suite we share.
I groan, pulling the duvet up over my head, too tired to deal with her this morning. Then last night comes back to me.
