AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Soon after, Sam turns into a residential community and pulls over behind a line of cars at a traditional-looking brick house.
My heart revs up from nervousness, and the possibility of seeing Brandon.
I trail Sam into the house, where music is playing at a decent level, and everyone’s talking vibrantly amid drinking from red solo cups.
Gazes turn my way, but they don’t linger, only some of the girls.
They whisper with each other as if picking my appearance apart.
I ignore them, scanning the living room for Brandon with zero understanding as to why.
Sam nudges my arm. “Come on. Let’s find Rajid.”
We slice through the crowd and exit the glass door to the backyard, which has a massive pool and hot tub.
I spot Heath in a group that includes Eric and Steve. No Brandon. Disappointment further blooms.
Sam doesn’t greet the host of the party. She strolls to where Rajid is with two guys.
“Hey, you.” She pokes his arm with her index.
Rajid does a doubletake on my appearance. “Kayla.”
Sam angles her body to me, a slight scowl on her forehead.
“Um…” He clears his throat. “It’s nice to see your curls out. Your hair’s pretty.” He quickly adds, “So are you.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I shrug and look at Sam.
It’s the first I’ve seen her wear such a tight expression. The happy glow in her gaze has vanished.
“You girls want anything to drink?” Rajid offers. “There’s soda—”
“I’m getting a beer,” Sam tells him, deadpan.
Rajid winces in surprise. “Sammie, since when do you drink beer?” He speaks to her like a sister. Yikes.
“Since now.” She struts off.
I follow her inside to the open kitchen that gives a view of the living room and front door.
Sam appears troubled all of a sudden, twisting her mouth and continually switching from one leg to the other.
I stand beside her at the island, facing away from everyone. “Hey, are you all right?”
“He didn’t even compliment me,” she murmurs, pouring beer into a cup.
Sympathetic, I give her arm a gentle squeeze. “Remember what I said? Breadcrumbs. He’ll figure it out.”
Sam turns to me then. “Kayla, he’s—” She stops abruptly, distracted by something behind me. “I can’t believe it.”
Curious, I twist to find what’s caught her attention.
The organ in my chest begins to thrash like an imprisoned animal.
A fire ignites under my skin.
Brandon is standing near the front door, scanning the place.
