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“Yes, of course I think so! He enjoys having his fan club of one and doesn’t want it to end. The guy is constantly leading you on, Scarlett. Can’t you see it?”
“He doesn’t lead me on.” I defend him all the time to Rachel. She doesn’t like him. I don’t think she ever will.
“He so does. He’ll probably cancel on the lunch plans. Watch. And then they’ll just never happen, yet he knows he’s got you in his back pocket, so whenever he needs an ego boost, he’ll come around and act like he’s interested in you.” She points at the stage, where Tate is currently doing a happy dance along to the music, his lips curled into a huge smile. “Right now I’m thinking you have a better chance with that guy than you do with Ian.”
“Oh, come on, Rach.” I glance over my shoulder, my gaze somehow snagging on Tate’s, and he flashes one of those megawatt smiles at me right before he winks.
My cheeks hot, I turn away, frowning. Maybe my best friend has a point.
I have been chasing after Ian for what feels like years, and he’s never given me a real chance. Oh, there’s always thepossibilityof us. He’s implied that more than once. I remember him telling me when I was sixteen, “If only you were two years older.”
That sentence alone is what started my eternal crush on Ian. If only what? What would he have done if I were two years older?
That moment is finally here. I turn eighteen years old, and he leaves my party early. I don’t get it.
I don’t get him.
“I saw the way he just looked at you.” Rachel sidles up so she’s standing directly to my right, her mouth at my ear, murmuring encouraging words. “The way he can’t stop looking at you.”
“You already said that.”
“And I mean it. I know you think he’s paid to do this, but I don’t know. I think homeboy is interested.” When I glance over at her, she’s grinning. “Wouldn’t that be the best revenge? Getting with Tate Ramsey just to piss Ian off?”
“I would never.” I could never. First of all, I’m sure Tate wouldn’t be interested in someone like me. And second, I don’t want to send Ian the wrong message. I’m not into Tate. Not like that.
I’m into Ian. And I wish he were actually into me.
Our conversation fades as we both refocus on the performance, though my mind is in other places. Like how Ian isn’t here. How he just bailed on my party and Rachel basically told me I should stop wasting my time on him.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I should focus on something else.
Like myself.
My stomach growls, and I rest a hand over it, realizing that I haven’t eaten a single thing since I arrived. I could do with some food. Even a piece of birthday cake.
“Do you think he’s going to stop soon?” I ask Rachel, my hips still moving to the beat of the drum.
“Why would you want him to stop? He’s the hit of the party!” Rachel throws her arms up in the air and shakes her head from side to side, mouthing along with the words as Tate sings.
I glance up at him as he moves to the other side of the stage, singing directly to a cluster of older women watching him with adoring eyes. Someone steps on my skirt, and I hastily yank the tulle out of the way so it doesn’t get ripped. The woman is oblivious as she continuously shouts his name. “Tate! Tate! Tate, over here!”
He ignores her, which only makes her shout louder.
Everything starts to feel noisier and even more crowded, and I’m filled with the sudden urge to abandon my own party to chase after Ian. Would he like it if I just showed up at his place and declared my undying love for him? Or would he freak out?
Maybe Rachel’s wrong. Maybe Ian is frustrated just like I am. Maybe he wanted to have that conversation too before we were interrupted. I need to go to him.
I need to see him.
For my eighteenth-birthday party I secretly expected Ian to announce his undying love for me. He would remain by my side the entire night, smiling proudly as I greeted my guests, as I hugged everyone and thanked them for coming to my party. He should be with me right now, standing behind me, his arms around my waist as we both dance slowly to the music, feeling each other’s bodies. Tate could sing his little heart out, and I wouldn’t care if he was faux flirting with me, because I would have the man that I actually care for more than anyone else wrapped all around me. Showing everyone that we’re a couple.
That we’re together.
Instead, I’m alone, frustrated that Ian has left me here.
This is definitelynotwhat I envisioned.
CHAPTER3
