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"See you at Lily's tonight?" he asks us as we're sliding back into the bev cart.
"Wouldn't miss it," Ashton calls to him as she presses on the gas a little too hard, almost rocketing me from my seat. I holler in surprise, which makes her start laughing. I join her. It was pretty funny.
"How are we getting to Lily's? Do you have a car on campus?"
"We're not allowed cars on campus, but we'll secure a ride. Don't worry."
I discover I had no reason to worry when we step out onto the main steps of the administration building and find Parker waiting for us beside his Land Rover.
Or maybe I should be a little worried.
"How did this happen?" I ask, but it sounds more like an accusation. Except I don't know who I'm directing it at.
"I told you I'd get you signed out." Parker opens the passenger door, waiting. "Did you bring a bathing suit?"
I open the back door and slide in, allowing Ashton to sit in front. Parker's smile falters when I don't do as expected. Whatever.
"They're in here," Ashton tells him, holding up her shiny gold tote bag. "Thank you for driving us. It's sweet of you."
"Of course," he replies as he shuts the door behind him. "I wanted to spend some time with Lana before I left." He adjusts the mirror so he directs his electric blue eyes right at me.
It's going to be impossible to avoid him, especially without Nina here to distract him. And it's not that I don't like him. Parker is charming, intelligent, and has this irresistible confidence that's incredibly sexy. But for so many reasons, I have to keep my walls up around him, especially when I really want to smash them down.
"How big is this party?" I ask as we exit the school's enormous wrought iron gates and pull onto the road that abuts the property. There's nothing but trees on either side. It seriously feels like we're the only ones in this town. It's so weird.
"I'm not sure," Parker answers. "Lily's invited everyone."
"Everyone knows Lily," Ashton interjects. "She's your cousin, right? I thought she said this was her mother's family home that you all share?"
"It is." Parker glances back at me at the mention of his family, probably trying to read my face. Because, yes, I'm silently asking if Joey will be there. He shakes his head ever so slightly. I relax into the seat with relief. I could go all summer, or a lifetime, without having to see him again. "But Lily gets more use out of it than we do, especially during the summer. My mother stays there during the school year to commute to Dartmouth. I almost never come up. It's too quiet for me. I prefer the city."
I fight to suppress a grin, not surprised by his answer. Maybe we are more alike than I want to admit.
Ashton peppers Parker with questions the remainder of the ride, and even though we're supposedly in the same town, it takes us a half hour to get to Lily's because everything is so spread out. And it doesn't help when we finally turn onto the road leading to the house and its dirt, forcing Parker to drive like five miles an hour the entire bumpy mile or two.
The enormous luxury cabin is isolated, surrounded by thick woods without a neighbor in sight. I spotted small wooden signs with numbers nailed to trees at the head of dirt roads that branched off of the one we were on. I assume they lead to other homes, but they can't be seen from here. Cars overflow out of the driveway and continue along the tree line. Parker drives past them into the circular driveway and double parks next to an Audi coupe in front of the main doors.
Even though it's still daylight, all of the lights shine through the contemporary wooden cabin with angles of glass and beamed overhangs. I'm having a hard time even calling it a cabin since it's bigger than any house I've ever seen.
As we enter, the music bounces around the open cathedral ceiling and out the open doors to the back. I only get a second to glance around the ultra-modern leather, granite and glass design of the main living space and the shiny stainless and marble kitchen, before we're swept up by the energy outdoors. The party is taking place on a two-level deck that connects to a dock jutting out into the water. People are talking, laughing, swimming, and eating everywhere. It's like a big barbecue, but so much nicer. Everyone is dressed like they just stepped off a yacht, or flew in on a private jet--casual luxury.
I noticed it today at the country club too, or maybe I was more sensitive to it than others because I've never been exposed to this much wealth in my entire life--it was obvious who came from money and who didn't. And it wasn't based on if they were working at the club versus a member. Because other privileged students, whether enrolled in private schools or college, work at the country club alongside the local students and residents. And the wealthy weren't more attractive or better dressed. Some had horrible fashion sense, to be honest. But they distinguish themselves in the way they talk, move, and generally hold themselves--the elongated posture, the carefree laugh and the ease in which they do ... everything. I think if Ashton were to find herself cut off from her trust fund, she'd still have that extra something about her that screams she grew up with money. It's engrained in her DNA.
And here at Lily's party, it wreaks of privilege and wealth. I'm choking on it, like walking into a room filled with smokers--the only person who notices the stench is the one who doesn't smoke. The smoke doesn't bother me, as long as they don't blow it my face.
Parker has his hand on my lower back, guiding me through. I silently plead with Ashton with to intercept him, and she makes a face that says she's trying. But Parker knows what he's doing, and no matter who approaches, or what obstacle of people we have to maneuver around, he remains tethered to me. And I very much need to break free ...
before I don't want to.
"You're here!" Lily is in front of us. She's wearing a blush pink string bikini top with a mini white sarong. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, and her skin is glowing. Again, I'm caught off-guard by how effortlessly perfect she appears. "You should put on your suits. Ashton, you know where the changing rooms are downstairs, right?"
"I do," Ashton tells her. "We'll be right back." Ashton takes my hand and snaps me away from Parker before he can react, and I feel like kissing her.
"Thank. You," I exaggerate each word, relieved to have broken free.
"What is the situation with you two?" Ashton walks down a set of steps off the deck that lead to a basement level. She pushes a glass slider open, revealing a cozy sitting room.
"He and one of my best friends hook up regularly. And even though they both say it's nothing, I don't touch anyone my friends have. No exceptions."
