Page 71 of Kade

My phone buzzed.

Mom: Honey! I’m so sorry. I thought you were with David and Malinda. Did you eat? I’m at Manny’s, but I can leave early. Do you want me to bring food back for you?

Me: Where’s dad?

Mom: He’s doing some business stuff with Logan. He won’t be home for a while. What do you want to do for dinner? I can come get you. You can hang out with us.

I rolled my eyes, becausepass. Not that hanging out with my mom and her friends wasn’t fun. They actually were great, and I worshipped Aunt Heather, but… Mom wouldn’t let me slip booze, and they’d start ‘coding’ everything they said, and that’s annoying. Like I couldn’t handle whatever they’re talking about. I’ll be eighteen soon. I’m in high school. The shit we see? My mom would have a heart attack just knowing half the stuff I hear and see on social media during any given day. Oh well. I’d protect my parents from their heart attacks. I wouldn’t want them to worry, but that meant a night in the house by myself.

Hard pass on that too. The place was huge, and it was never a good idea for me to be by myself when I had all these feelings I was trying not to feel. I tried numbing myself to the grief, but I couldn’t. Every time I tried, it went bad. I kept getting myself into more trouble, so it seemed staying busy and distracted was the best option for me.

I considered texting Max to see if he wanted to hang out, but he was still on that ‘space’ kick. I figured I’d wait another day before tracking him down and tackling him. It was Max. He couldn’t stay mad at me forever.

Until then, I decided my best bet was to reconsider Traine’s offer. So here I was.

I let myself in. The music got louder. It was coming from the back.

I’d never asked what Beltraine’s deal was with his parents, if they were around and active or if he was a kid who basically operated on his own. My mom and dad gave me freedom, but there were rules.Structure, as they called it.

I paused, remembering that I was grounded. Here I was, violating that again. I shrugged. I was already here. Might as well indulge. Have as much fun as possible. They hadn’t known where I was last night. Of course Dad knew now because I told him, but the day had been weird. So much odd shit happened. My dad would remember, but for some reason, it wasn’t the first thing on his mind.

I frowned, wondering if I should be hurt by that.

Nah. Dad loved me. He was just distracted. His attention would come back to me. He and Mom would have a wholetalkabout me, and they’d descend on my ass until I was pleading for freedom.

I needed to enjoy this while it lasted.

I moved into the kitchen as a guy entered from the side hallway. Tall. Lean. Jet black hair. Dark brown eyes. He was shirtless and wearing swim trunks. Barefoot. He paused when he saw me. “Who are you?”

I snorted and turned to peruse the counter of drinks instead. It didn’t hurt my feelings that he didn’t know who I was, but I mean, come on. That was his loss, really. Once he found out who I was, he’d never forget. That was just a fact. Right now I’d enjoy this little bit of mystery.

He moved to the side, watching as I poured myself a strong drink. “You seem oddly at home in my bro’s house. Traine know you’re here?”

“Traine’s not your brother.”

“I don’t mean it in a literal sense.”

I made a noncommittal sound, reaching for another bottle. I had no idea what I was mixing. I operated under the rule that if it smelled good to me, I’d see how it tasted. Some whiskey went in there, but all the other liquids were sweet. I wasn’t worried. To top it all off, a good amount of rum joined.

“What’s up, man? You coming out or…” Traine trailed off, stepping inside and seeing me. “Hey! You came.”

I glanced over, grunting a greeting, and closed my eyes as I tried out my drink. It was…not bad. My nose wrinkled. It was a little too sweet. What could I do to balance that out? I grabbed some stuff from a green bottle and poured it in, taking another sip.

Both guys watched me.

The new guy was scowling.

Beltraine was grinning. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Experimenting tonight?”

It needed more of the green-bottle stuff. Once I got it just right, I took a good drag.Damn. That tasted good. I smiled broadly at the guys. “My feelings are hurt, Moreaux.”

His eyebrows shot up. “About what?”

I indicated the guy next to him. “Your cousin had no idea who I was. Where’s the love?”

Steele Manning was the last member of the male trio at the top of the social hierarchy at Fallen Crest Academy. I was under no illusions. They’d been nice to me so far, but of course they would be. Who’d fuck with me? I had no problem handling bullies. I enjoyed it. A stand-off made me feel alive. So, I guess, in a way, if people catered to me, that was disappointing.

That’s why I enjoyed Max so much.