Kennedy smiled. “You two are perfect together. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here debating whether or not I should snap my fingers and off Cupcake.”
I laughed.
“I’m just kidding. I’m not crazy. I don’t want any mobsters attacking Cupcake. I don’t need revenge. That’s just not me.” She laughed. “I can’t even imagine doing something like that. I’m not Isabella.”
For some reason, her words made my stomach churn. That’s what Matt wanted. A girl who didn’t need revenge. And I was trying to be that for him. But sometimes, all I wanted to do was text Rob and tell him that the prank was back on. Just thinking about when Isabella made fun of my uncle and me made myblood boil. And the pictures of me in my underwear all over school. Or when she poured milk down the front of me. There was also the time she literally put a gun to my head. Or…God.I took a deep breath. The list was endless. And I needed to let it go.I’m not like Isabella. I’m a Sanders, not a Pruitt. I don’t need revenge.
“Speaking of the devil herself, is Isabella actually coming tonight?” asked Kennedy. “I can’t imagine what on earth would possess Isabella to think that was a good idea.”
“I have no idea. But knowing my luck…she’ll be here. Trying to flirt with Matt. Or doing something else terrible.”
“She can’t do anything terrible to you here. You have the Pruitts’ securityandthe Caldwells’ security. If she makes one mean peep about you, they’ll kick her out on her ass.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.” Kennedy stood up. “The party is going to start any minute. Come on, we need to go explore. I hope they have fire dancers this year!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.
I was excited about the party. But the knots in my stomach didn’t go away as we stepped out into the hall. I knew Kennedy was right. Isabella couldn’t get away with doing anything to me here. But I had a really bad feeling about tonight. And the fake blood dripping from the bannisters didn’t really help.
Betrayal - Chapter 28
Saturday
The decorations made me feel like I was at the Pruitts’ apartment instead of at Matt’s mansion. Or maybe it was just the haunting music and the creepy vibe in the air. I was used to the Caldwells’ house feeling warm and safe, despite its décor. But there was a definite chill in the air tonight. And I had a feeling Isabella was already here.
I didn’t know how the fake blood was constantly dripping from everywhere. It had to be water fountains with red dye, but it looked so real. I leaned forward to inspect some of the red water.
“You girls look stunning.”
I jumped.
Kennedy screamed.
And Mrs. Caldwell laughed. “It’s just me.”
“You scared us half to death,” Kennedy said. She was clutching her genie lamp to her chest like it could protect her from monsters. “But you look amazing, Mrs. Caldwell.”
She smiled.
I was pretty sure Mrs. Caldwell was dressed like the woman from Psycho.Aftershe’d been murdered in the shower. She’d somehow made her hair look wet, she had a bath towel wrapped around her, and fake blood was splattered on the side of herneck. Some of the blood was on the towel too. She really did look terrifying. I wondered if most people were going as horrifying things like her. If so, tonight was definitely going to be scary.
“Have you two seen all the decorations in the ballroom yet? I think we’ve topped last year for sure.” She glanced at her watch. “I better go check in with the caterers though. I’ll be back in a bit for our big plan regarding a certain someone’s crush on Robert.” She winked at us and hurried off.
“I’m seriously regretting telling her I liked Rob,” Kennedy said as we ducked beneath a spider web. “What on earth do you think she has planned to push us together?”
I stepped around a pond in the foyer with red water in it. “A blood bath?”
Kennedy laughed and then screamed as a skeleton swung down from the ceiling on our way to the ballroom.
“God.” I pushed the skeleton to the side. “I’m going to have a heart attack tonight.” And then I screamed when a fog machine kicked on.
Kennedy grabbed my arm. “We should have had Matt walk with us.”
“He told me to wait for him in the ballroom. Something about making an entrance.”
“I thought he was joking about that. You really have no idea what he’s dressing up as?”
I shook my head. “Are those eyes following us?” I pointed to a row of portraits that weren’t normally in the hall.
