He runs his hand through my hair. “As much as I’d like to do that, we can’t let Deke down.”
“Deke?”
Cole nods once. “He wanted to throw you this party.”
“Now, I’m really nervous.” I laugh.
“Don’t be.” He kisses my lips softly as if he can’t get enough. Or it’s all part of his game. At this point, I can’t tell the difference anymore. And that’s not good. “Don’t tell Deke this, but he’s harmless.”
“I watched him help you kill someone,” I remind him.
“Yeah.” He smiles as if he’s remembering that night fondly. “But he would never hurt you.” I raise an eyebrow. He chuckles, that anger in his eyes fading a little. “If he didn’t have me to beat his ass, Becky would do it. I didn’t realize she was so feisty until yesterday at lunch.”
I laugh. “Come on. Let’s go. If we don’t hurry, Becky and Deke may already be naked in the car.”
“Pack a bag real quick.”
I stop and turn back to face him. “That’s not a good idea, Cole.”
His eyes narrow, that anger returning so easily at my denial. “Pack. A. Bag.” He orders this time.
I place my hand on my hips, refusing to back down to him. “I’m not staying at your father’s house.”
A smile spreads across his face. It’s not friendly. “Who said we were staying at my father’s house?”
_________________________________
“What the hell?” I ask as Deke pulls up to the beach. Cars are on the sand, well those who drive lifted trucks and Jeeps. There’s a bonfire. Kegs line the shore, and white folding tables hold liquor bottles and Solo cups. Kids of all ages litter the sand. Some I recognize from school, but others I don’t. “How did you pull this off?” I ask.
“Magic,” Cole answers.
Deke scoffs. “Please. This isn’t magic. This is all me, baby.” I roll my eyes, but Becky laughs at him while we get out.
“Stay close to me,” Cole orders.
“Where would I go?” I ask.
He grabs my hand and pulls me along with him. A Jeep missing its top and doors is parked on the sand, and it has speakers all inside it blasting out “Feel Invincible” by Skillet.
We make our way over to a white table, and Cole lets go of my hand to start making us drinks.
“Isn’t this awesome?” Becky squeals, grabbing my arm.
I nod. “Deke outdid himself,” I say, eyeing him. He sees me staring and winks at me. I narrow my eyes, and he laughs.
They’re up to something. What the hell is it?
“Here,” Cole says, turning back to face me and hands me a Solo cup. I take a sip and frown, looking up at him. “There’s hardly any alcohol in this.”
“There’s enough.”
“Where’s yours?” I ask, noticing his hands are empty now.
“I’m fine,” he says; his answer clipped.
I open my mouth to argue but shut it when I see Shane approach us. His eyes meet mine, and then he looks away quickly. I wanna throw my drink on him for ratting me out. But what did I expect? Once again, it was my fault to trust him. To trust any of them.
Deke and Cole walk over to Shane and turn their backs to us. I spin around and grab a bottle of vodka and pour it into my cup. “Want some more?” I ask, holding it up to Becky.
She shakes her head. “Deke made mine strong.”
I set it down and take a drink. “Much better.” Leaning up against the table, I look over at Cole. He has his hair spiked and looking like every bit a disheveled mess. He wears a pair of blue jeans, tennis shoes, and his black zip-up hoodie.
“He doesn’t drink.”
“What?” I ask, turning to look over at Becky.
“You had asked him where his drink was.” She nods to Cole as he stands with his friends. His arms are crossed over his chest. Shane and Deke both drink from Solo cups. “Well, he does but only when he has parties at his house,” she says, before taking a drink of hers. “If he goes to a party that isn’t at his dad’s, then he doesn’t drink.”
“He had a shot that one night we were at that party they showed up at.”
She nods. “One shot. You won’t see him have more than that.”
That surprises me. “Why not?” I ask.
“The night Maddox, Landen, and Eli died, they had all been drinking at a party. Cole was driving them when he wrecked.”
My brows shoot up. No one ever talks about what happened to his friends. It’s like the ghost everyone can’t see, but you know it’s there. Jeff said he killed his friends, and Shelby told me it was a car wreck, but that’s as much as I know.
“What happened?” I ask, looking to see that he and Shane are still talking to Deke, but now Bennett has joined them.