Is Phantom at the old barn house?
Why would Phantom be atTrent’sparty of all things?
My mind whirls and the wine flushes my cheeks.
Before I can stop myself, I go back onto his profile and click the message button. He doesn’t follow me, so there is a chance he never sees this among the forty million other DMs he probably gets, but I have to ask.
BlairHanes_:Hi! I swear this isn’t me trying to be creepy, but are u at the old barn house off Clendon Road? P.S. great pic :)
“Blair.”
I jolt, snapping my head to the side to see my father standing in the kitchen with a disapproving frown. Better him than my mother, I guess.
“Hi, Dad. Sorry, I just needed a breather.”
“I know, but your mother needs you out there. Without your brother, you must be more attentive to our guests.”
“What? I mean, sorry, pardon?”
Did he just imply that Josh isn’t here?
“I said, your mother needs you out there. The Acostils just arrived, and you know how Wendy always aggravates her.”
“No, not that. Did you say Josh left?”
“I did.”
“Where?”
My voice pitches high, and he gives me a disapproving glare.Me, the child who is actually here and present and slowly dying of oxygen depletion in the not-sexy way.
“He said he had a party.”
“Y-you say that like you approved this?”
“I did. He has been busy with lacrosse all semester; he deserves a night out with his friends.”
What the actual hell?
My practiced patience cracks, years of pent of frustration leak through.
“Seriously? You’ve never let me go to my friend’s parties. That’s not fair.”
“Blair. Do not start with me on this. Tonight is already stressful.”
“But—”
My phone vibrates and I look down, the complaint poised on the tip of my tongue lost.
Holy shit.
Phantom replied.
With a photo.
I click on it to see a selfie of him with a couple that is very clearly Michelle and Brett making out behind him. He’s seriously at Trent’s Halloween party.
Phantom:want to join me for some fun? [devil smile emoji]
