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“What did you do?” Though I had no proof he did anything other than steal my clothes, the sinking sensation in my chest said otherwise.
Luca dropped his arm from around the girl’s shoulders and turned to face me fully for the first time. “Are you accusing me of something?”
“What if I am?”
Mikey and a couple others crowed beside him.
Luca’s eyes flashed with anger. “It’s not my fault your nerdy-ass can’t keep a date.” The scent of booze on his breath wafted toward me, and I nearly gagged. “All I did was stand here, minding my own business, making out with Zia, here.”
She giggled, but the sound was hollow, and it hit me. Luca in the shadows pressed up against another girl, kissing her. In my suit. My mask.
“She thought you were me,” I murmured.
The cruel smile curling Luca’s lips told me I was right.
Without thinking, I swung my right arm back and my fist connected with his face. Pain radiated through my knuckles, knife-sharp as Luca stumbled back, losing his balance as he fought to grip onto something to steady him. Mikey and the others stared in shock.
“Holy sh—” Mikey started to say.
“Get him!” Luca interrupted, pointing toward me.
I pulled into my driveway and parked beside Bat Man’s van when I realized I left my telescope at the school in my haste to dodge Luca’s fist.
I dug my phone from my pocket and texted Thorne, who’d still been standing in the ballroom with Scarlett when I came careening toward him, three angry Royals at my back. If it weren’t for him, I wasn’t sure I would’ve escaped unscathed. But alas, I lived to see another day.
I dialed Ella’s number for what felt like the millionth time, only to get her voicemail again. With a sigh, I leaned my head back against the headrest, debating whether I should head straight to her house, unsure of whether she’d even talk to me. If she wouldn’t answer my calls, what made me think she’d answer the door?
Antsy, I sat back up and drummed my fingers over the steering wheel before I decided to head inside and hash out my plan there. Stepping out of the car, I slammed the door closed. My quick stride ate up the driveway until I let myself in the front door, treated to the sight of my mother and Bat Man cuddling on the couch.
Fantastic.
Hoping to sneak past, I quietly skirted the living room when the sound of my mother’s voice called out, “Barry, is that you?”
I closed my eyes, hoping she’d let me go, but when I didn't answer, she asked, “What are you doing home so early?”
I debated my options. Ignore or acknowledge. But I knew if I ignored her, she’d just follow me to my room, so I stepped into the living room.
Her gaze flickered over me, making quick work of my appearance. “What happened to your suit?”
“Uh, I got something on it, so I changed.”
A tiny crease formed between her brow, and I could tell she was worried. No way she bought my half-baked answer, but Mom also wasn’t the type to pry.
Beside her, Bat Man stifled a laugh, his muscled body shaking with amusement. “What’s so funny?” she asked him.
“Nothing, it’s just . . .” He smirked and glanced at me. “Obviously his little date didn’t pan out. It just goes to show you can put lipstick on a pig, but at the end of the day, it’s still a pig.”
Mom’s jaw dropped, like this was the first time he’d made a smart-ass comment at my expense, but she said nothing, instead, staring at him wordlessly.
“Oh, don’t look so shocked,” he continued. “You mean to tell me you thought some fancy clothes and a gallon of hair gel were gonna fix everything? I mean, come on Flora”—he gestured toward me—“the kid’s a nerd.”
“Better than being an asshole,” I snapped.
“Barry!” My mother’s head whipped in my direction. She shot to her feet, pointing toward the hall. “Go to your room right now.”
“With pleasure,” I said, through a tight smile.
“And don’t come out for the rest of the night,” Mom added.
