“What? That’s all I get? No, how ya been? Good to see you?” Bryan taunted me with a devious smirk.
“Last time I saw you, I got arrested for trespassing,” I grunted. “You know how much hell I caught for that stunt.”
“But it was one hell of a party.”
“That is was,” I nodded, remembering the massive warehouse rave that turned out to be very illegal. “The music was shit.”
“But the party favors were the best.”
“What do you want, Bryan?” I rolled my eyes even though I silently agreed.
“There’s a party on the Island.”
“How did you know I was here? How did you even get in here?”
My family’s property was two hundred acres with a massive gate and stone wall around the main property that consisted of my grandparents, father, and uncle’s homes. To get through, you’d have to drive through the main gate where security would allow entry or climb the wall, which was a bitch. Bryan didn’t look like he’d climbed any walls, and I knew my Dad wouldn’t let him in. I had to fight to get him to let Ryder in the week before.
“I know things,” he winked at me. Bryan always seemed to be around when everything felt like it was going to shit. And it never failed that he would cause more shit to explode. I just couldn’t get rid of the guy. I tried, but he always came back like fucking herpes.
“It’s fucking weird,” I told him as I went back to playing my guitar. “Besides, I’m locked in here like a prisoner. Daddy Norton won’t let me have any yard time.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be insane. I hear Zoey Valen will be there.”
I raised a brow. I’d never forgotten the girl from the zoo. I hadn’thadthe chance to see her again. Not really. I wasn’t around enough. But we shared a few friends andhadbeen to a few of the same parties. I’d heard about her, her brother, and her friend. Even saw a few pictures online through social media. She was a knockout,and I’d been dying to get to know her. Inever saw much of a point since most of my time was spent in New York.
“What time is this party?” I asked, trying to feign indifference.
“Starts at ten.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I tell him with a nod. “Now get out of here before my dad sees you, and I’m confined to my room.”
“You’re dad isn’t here.”
“Again, how the hell do you know that?”
He shrugs his shoulders with another grin. “Think I’ll just go for a swim.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy. Bryan exhausted me.
That night, I slipped down the back stairs hoping no one would be there. I knew dad was in his office,but I wasn’t sure where Jamie was. I thought she was in bed,but she was also pregnant with my new sister/cousin, so her trips to the kitchen were frequent. As far as they thought, I was locked in my room being broody. I grabbed the keys to the truck my dad bought me(like I was ever around) and made it all the way to the backdoor when a voice called out.
“Thought you were grounded.”
I turned around to see Jewel standing in the kitchen with her arms folded across her chest. “Thought you weren’t allowed here,” I snap.
“I was visiting my mother, and she told me you were here.”
“Yep. I’m here. Now you can go.”
“Aww, come on, Madsy. I’m your mom.”
“No. Fuck no. My mom died six years ago. You? You’re just the drug whore that didn’t want me.”
“What do you know about drugs, Madsy?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a baggy. “Give me five minutes, and you can have it. Ever had coke? I know you do stuff, Maddox? Remember last year? Your drug screen had way more than mine would.”
“Why? Why do you want five minutes?”
“I miss you. I always miss you.”
