Page 13 of Rival Darling
“Oh god.” He sighed. “What now?”
“I’m going to the Sunshine Hills party to see Violet.”
Grayson lifted his eyes to the ceiling. “You’re right, that is crazy.”
“Who’s Violet?” Parker asked.
I had no intention of telling Parker anything, but Grayson responded for me.
“A girl he met on the side of the road when her car broke down,” he said. “A girl who already has a boyfriend and goes to Sunshine Prep.”
“What?” I shrugged as casually as I could. “She left her bag in her car after Dad towed it. She might need it. I’m just doing the right thing and returning it.”
“Of course, you are.” Grayson shook his head.
“Besides, going to a Sunshine Hills party can’t be that bad. I mean, we mix with Sunshine Hills kids all the time at bonfire parties.”
“That’s different,” Grayson said. “Everyone knows if they start shit on a bonfire night they’re blacklisted and can’t come back.”
I shrugged again. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“I give it five minutes before those idiots on the Saints have you cornered and start giving you hell.”
“They could try.” I doubted they’d have the balls to confront me, and if they did, I could take care of myself. “But if there’s any sign of trouble, I’ll just give Violet the bag and get out of there.”
“Because you’re so great at just walking away from a bad situation.” Grayson grunted.
“It is a terrible idea.” Parker sounded like he was agreeing with Grayson, but he was grinning widely as he spoke, and his expression had taken on a glint of anticipation. The three of us looked very similar, but I was certain my eyes had never brimmed with the kind of delight Parker’s overflowed with on the daily. Even Stanley had less enthusiasm than Parker, and our dog spent his life hitting us with his overeager tail.
“So, when are we leaving?” Parker added.
“We?” Grayson’s eyebrows lifted.
“Well, we’re not letting Reed go to a Sunshine Hills party without backup…” Parker glanced at me as he waited for me to agree. There was an expectant look in his eyes, like he knew there was no way I could object.
“Even if we all go, it’ll still end in trouble,” Grayson said. “In fact, it’s probably going to increase the chances.”
Parker scoffed. “Stop being so negative, Grumpson.”
Grayson shot him a deadly look, but it did nothing to dampen Parker’s excitement. “Can’t you see our boy Reed here needs our support? He’s finally decided that the constant stream of girls throwing themselves at him isn’t nearly as fun as stalking some girl he met on the side of the road, one who’s already got a boyfriend. Our brother is just trying to follow his heart. Who are we to stop him?”
“It’s not stalking if I was invited to the party.” I grunted. “And I’m not following my heart. I’m just doing Violet a favor.”
“Sorry, did I say heart?” Parker replied. “I meant dick.”
Now Grayson and I were both glaring at him.
“So, are we doing this?” Parker was practically bouncing with excitement. Then again, he could end up coming home with a black eye and a limp tonight, and he’d still be grinning.
“Yes, we’re doing this.” I nodded. “But we’re not going in there to cause trouble. I just want to give Violet her bag.”
“Yeah, okay, Joe Goldberg,” Parker replied.
I went to cuff him across the back of his head, but he jumped from his stool and nimbly avoided my hand. “I’ll get my jacket. This is going to be fun.”
As I watched him leave, I wondered how badly I was going to regret this decision. With Parker on board, anything could happen.
Grayson turned to me once our younger brother was gone. “You’ve had a lot of bad ideas over the years, Reed. But this has got to be one of the worst.”