The idea of attending a graveyard party both frightened and intrigued me. On one hand, it might be the dumbest thing I could possibly do. On the other, it would put me in a position to potentially get Stray alone for a few minutes. Needing to talk to him, to hear his voice, was eating me alive.
“I’ve had more than enough nights in lately. We can go to the party. Maybe it will be good for me to get out.” I took a bite of Storm’s cookie, pleasantly surprised at how damn good it was. If only cookies solved everything.
The cookie turned to mush in my mouth when Rebel rounded the corner with Stray and Casper. Stray took one look at me and whirled on a heel, making a beeline in the opposite direction.
I deserved that. He had every right to be angry. He’d already proven that he was a better guy than I’d given him credit for. Stray had a lot of blackmail material he could have posted online to absolutely destroy me. He hadn’t done it though.
* * * *
When Friday night rolled around, I asked myself if I should really attend the party. I would likely only succeed in humiliating myself further. What else did I have to lose? I’d already lost anything I may have had with Stray.
Since I really didn’t have anything to lose, I put extra effort into my appearance. I curled my long locks and did my makeup with perfect liner and sultry red lips. A few silver bangles decorated my wrist.
I’d treated myself to a new dress while doing some retail therapy. An adorable black strapless number that hugged my body like a second skin. The skirt ended mid-thigh with a few random pieces that hung longer around my legs. The graveyard wasn’t really an ideal place for heels, so I wore badass knee-high boots instead.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t want Stray to look at me and remember what it felt like to be inside me. Before I headed out the door with Athena, I spritzed on some of the strawberry vanilla perfume that he liked so much. Maybe I couldn’t force him to forgive me but I damn sure would make him want me.
“Damn girl. Stray is going to regret his life choices when he sees you.” Athena glanced down at the crop top and tight jeans she wore. “You’re making me second-guess my outfit.”
“You look great. Those pants put your ass on display, which is probably what you’re going for.” I checked the rideshare app on my phone while gathering my keys and shoving them into my small purse. “Our ride is here. We have to get going.”
During the drive to the graveyard, I couldn’t stop fidgeting. I chewed my fingernails and twisted a lock of hair around my finger until it made the tip of my finger turn purple. Nerves ate up my insides.
The party was well underway when we arrived. I preferred to be fashionably late. Patio lanterns hung from the trees. Some perched on top of headstones, casting the entire party in a soft orange glow. I couldn’t stop myself from immediately searching the crowd for Stray.
“I see Luna’s hair. Over there.” Grabbing my elbow, Athena pointed across the graveyard while dragging me along behind her.
We found Luna and Ripley perched on top of a headstone that just barely held the both of them. Their greeting was enthusiastic. I assumed Storm was with Rebel and would make an appearance soon enough.
I should have had a few drinks before coming here. It definitely would have taken the edge off. Athena pulled a bottle of vodka from her bag and promptly filled a plastic cup for each of us. A splash of Sprite helped. Not that I needed it. I downed the drink in record time.
“He’s here already,” Luna said, nodding toward the ramshackle church. “In there with the other Kings.”
I nodded, appreciating the update. I wasn’t ready to speak to him yet anyway. More alcoholic encouragement was needed first.
Storm finally joined us. She produced the party favors, a few fat joints that we passed around our circle. I didn’t smoke much. Weed had a way of getting inside my head and amplifying my anxiety more often than not these days. This was not a good time for that. Instead, I drank enough alcohol to chase the nerves away.
“I don’t see anyone hookup worthy.” Pursing her lips, Athena appraised the partygoers with blatant judgement. “I’m done with jocks. Maybe I need a good nerdy type. What do you guys think?”
“I think that the nerdy types are at home studying so they can rule the world one day. You probably won’t find them here.” Ripley laughed, bumping her plastic cup against Athena’s in cheers.
“That’s a good point.” Athena tapped her bottom lip, looking thoughtful. “With my luck, I’ll end up marrying one of these hooligans. God forbid.”
Luna giggled. “Why not? Storm is marrying one, and she seems pretty happy.”
Storm gave a one shoulder shrug. “Definitely no complaints here.”
While the girls talked about men, sex, and romance, I kept drinking. I had nothing to add to the conversation. Unfortunately.
I was feeling just drunk enough to not give a damn about anything when Stray emerged from the church. Running my hands through my hair to smooth down any flyaways, I said, “Wish me luck, girls.”
Then I was off. Crossing the graveyard to the church. The alcohol had imbued me with confidence. No matter what Stray had to say, he would at least hear me out first. This was my last shot. My final attempt. Then I would move on and forget about him completely.
Casper saw me coming. He nudged Stray, tilting his head in my direction. Then he disappeared with the others.
Stray stood there with a drink in one hand. His expression was vacant. No sign of anything he might be feeling on his face. To my relief, he waited for me to reach him.
“Can we talk for a minute?” I asked.
