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“They haven’t told you?” She shakes her head. “We’re celebrating our birthday with them a week early. Apparently, Ainsley is getting an award for something, so Mom and Dad will be visiting her in Rhode Island.”
Tessa lights up like a firecracker. “Halle-fucking-lujah! Anal-beads turned out good for something after all!”
I can’t help but giggle at the nickname. “She will be livid if she finds out you call her that.”
“Don’t care.” She shrugs.
Our older sister Ainsley is the golden child of our family. One would think that would be me, but for some reason, no one can hold a candle to Daddy’s precious first born. She graduated first in her class a few years ago and earned herself a full scholarship to Brown University. The day she left was one of the best days of my and Tessa’s life. I love my sister, don’t get me wrong, but she tends to act less like a sibling and more like a parent—and that can get irritating.
“Okay, so, let me get this straight. We’re going to be turning eighteen, with this big-ass house all to ourselves?” The devious look on her face already has me on high alert.
“Tess,” I warn.
Her smile grows until she’s full on beaming at me. “We’re so throwing a party!” I go to protest, but she jumps up to cover my mouth with her hand. “Don’t say it! Come on, just live a little. Please. We are only going to turn eighteen once. And besides, do you really want to be the only freshman at college who hasn’t been to a party?”
I lick her hand, making her grimace and pull it away. “I have been to parties.”
“Oh yeah? When?”
“I go with Savannah to Jace London’s all the time.”
Tess scoffs. “Please. Those aren’t parties. They’re rich people get-togethers at best. I’m talking an actual, balls to the wall, no law left unbroken, rage until the sun comes up kind of party.”
Eyeing her carefully, I start to nod. “So, you’re looking to get our house burned down. Got it. Why didn’t you say so?”
“Ugh,” she groans. “You’re such a buzz kill. At least try coming to one before you completely rule it out.”
“I’ll pass.”
The idea of going to one of her boyfriend’s public-school parties makes me even more nauseous than the first time Savannah forced me to go to Jace’s. Tessa, however, doesn’t seem to be taking no for an answer. She juts out her bottom lip and pouts.
“This is why they call you Saint Delaney.”
Laughter bubbles out of my mouth. “No, it isn’t. Carter only calls me that because I won’t sleep with him.”
She throws her head back in frustration. “Laney, come on. Please? Just come to one. If you’re still completely against a raging birthday bash, I’ll consider throwing it somewhere else.”
“That sounds really assuring.” She doesn’t say anything—just gives me puppy dog eyes. “Ugh, fine,” I cave, and she starts to cheer. “But just one. If I don’t like it after an hour, I’m leaving.”
“Make it two and you have a deal.”
The counter offer is so typical of her. I roll my eyes. “Two it is.”
WALKING THROUGH THE HALLWAYS of the school I’ve spent the last four years at is bittersweet. On one hand, I can’t believe we’re graduating in only six short months. I don’t know what I’m going to do without this place. On the other, however, I can’t wait to get out of here. As people walk by, ignoring me like I’m invisible, it does nothing but remind me of the truth—I let high school slip through my fingers.
“Laney, there you are. Thank God,” Savannah, my best friend, says in relief. “Maybe you can talk some sense into Grayson.”
I cringe, knowing that regardless of what she’s talking about, there probably isn’t a thing I can say that will have any influence on Grayson. The four of us—me, Savannah, Grayson, and Tessa—go all the way back to pre-kindergarten days. I was four when Sav moved into the house next door. Before she came, Grayson was just the boy across the street I was always too shy to talk to. Once Savannah was around, though, she brought us all together.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple forever. Grayson moved away suddenly when his father was unexpectedly arrested, and Savannah’s life completely changed. In a matter of a year, I lost two of my closest friends. It was hard, especially when I came to Haven Grace Prep freshman year to see my former best friend for the first time in years—only she wasn’t the girl I remembered. She was cold. Heartless. Didn’t even look my way for a while. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I finally understood why. Now, I have both Grayson and Savannah back in my life, and I couldn’t be happier.
“About what this time?”
She crosses her arms and levels Gray with a look. “Grayson wants to have sex with his mom home, but I think that’s weird. Isn’t that weird?”
Gray runs his fingers through his hair. “Shout it a little louder, Savi. I don’t think the kids over at NHH could hear you.”
“Oh, please. Don’t be such a pansy.”
