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Billie: I’m sorry.
He doesn’t reply, and I feel worse, but I can’t let anything hinder my success. Not even my need for Caden.
18
BILLIE
Pain - Jake Daniels
The party is at its peak when I walk back into my living room. I just said I could sleep through the noise, but this absolutely pushes it. Knowing there’s no way to shut down a North Shore party before it ends, I grab a glass of water and sit on my sofa, watching everyone have fun while I long to see the only man who doesn’t belong here.
Emma is nowhere to be found now, and Xi is talking to some girl I’m pretty sure came from Stoneview. Apart from me, he’s always had a thing for the rich girls in short skirts who come to the wrong side of the tracks. That’s fine with me. I don’t get along with them, but I don’t judge him for the fact that he does.
The sofa dips next to me, and I drag my gaze away from my stepbrother to Nolan.
“Hey,” he smiles.
“Fuck off,” I reply right away.
He laughs and wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to snitch on you to Xi. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Iwasgreat. Now, I’m not okay.” I toss his arm off my shoulders, and he pouts.
“I’m sorry, Bil’s. What can I do for you to forgive me?” He points at my now empty glass. “Should I get you another drink?”
“I don’t drink,” I huff. The guy calls me Bil’s and doesn’t know the first thing about me.
“Oh yeah,” he chuckles. “You’re a fighter.”
“How long have you been working for Xi?” I ask.
“A few months,” he shrugs. “Why?”
“’Cause his dealers usually know to leave his younger stepsister the fuck alone.”
He bites his lower lip and smiles at me. “Maybe I know, and maybe I don’t care.” He brings his face closer to mine. “I like to live dangerously.”
“You’re not gonna live dangerously for long if you piss him off,” I say casually. “And you’re not gonna live at all if you pissmeoff.”
“Rawr,” he laughs. “You’re feisty.”
Someone kill me.
“Why don’t you go grab me a Gatorade,” I say to get him off my face.
“Sure thing.”
He gets up, but I call for him again. “Hey, grab a new bottle from the fridge.”
There’s a rule everyone goes by at North Shore parties. You either open the bottle in front of someone or share it. No one truly trusts each other, and we prefer to always stay on the safe side.
Nolan returns a minute later holding a sealed bottle of Gatorade in his hand. He opens it for me as he walks toward the sofa and smiles at me as he gives it to me.
“Here you go, unbeatable Billie.” I take the bottle. “I heard what you did to those Kings girls,” he adds as he sits next to me again.
I roll my eyes and down half the bottle so I don’t have to talk to him.
“Look,” he says more seriously. “I’m really sorry if I got you in any trouble.”
