After what feels like forever, her car finally comes down the dirt road. I jump up from the rock and wave her down as I’m sure it would be hard to see me in the dark, even with her headlights on.
“What the hell is this place?” she questions as I practically dive into the safety of her car.
“It’s some sort of illegal racing track,” I explain as she works on turning her car around.
“Shit,” she grunts.
“Mmhmm,” I groan before telling her exactly what had happened tonight.
She looks over at me with a deep curiosity. “Why does he keep doing this stuff to you?”
I shake my head. “I honestly have no idea, but I wish he would stop.”
Brooke is quiet for a moment before she lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m assuming you’re bailing on Maxen’s party?”
“Yeah,” I say, giving her an apologetic smile. “I’m not feeling it.”
“Ok,” she says, a little disappointed. “I’ll take you home.”
“Actually,” I say. “Can you take me back to Nate’s? I have my clothes and my car to rescue, and while he’s out, now’s probably the best time to do it.”
She nods in agreement before turning the music up and focusing on the road before her. She pulls up at Nate’s place soon after and I let out a sigh as I jump out of her car. “Have fun,” I tell her. “Let me know if anything exciting happens.”
“Alright,” she smiles before turning hopeful. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“Still not going,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes and blows me a kiss. “Love you, party pooper.”
“Love you, too,” I laugh. “Remember to use protection.”
With that, she pulls away and I hear her laughter flowing freely through her open window. As she disappears down the driveway, I turn around and face the big house.
A moment later, I push through the front door and head up the stairs to find my things. It’s time to put this day to rest.
Chapter 8
I wake on Saturday morning feeling like absolute shit. My head aches, my body aches, and my poor little nose is all stuffy. I peel my eyes open into the bright light that’s streaming into my room and groan as I push myself up to sitting. I’d say I’ve got the flu.
I reach across and hit the little circle button on my phone to see the time, but instead, I find a crapload of text messages and wonder how on earth I didn’t hear my phone going off all night.
I grab my phone off the bedside table and bring my hands down into my lap as I read through them.
Josh – Baby. You coming?
Josh – Where are you?
Brooke – Holy crap! This party is awesome! Get your shit together and get down here!
Josh – I thought you wanted to party?
Brooke – OMG!!!!!! Dickhead just showed up. I think he’s looking for you. OH NO! He’s coming this way!!!!! SAVE ME, TORA!!!!!!
Brooke – Yuuuup! Nate’s definitely looking for you. You’re in trouble, missy! He said something about his cigarettes.
Unknown – Where the hell are you, Tori?
Unknown – Tora?
Unknown – Damn it, Tora. Stop ignoring me. Where are you?
Josh – Did you seriously stand me up?
Brooke – BEST NIGHT EVER!!!!!!!!
I lay back down on my bed with a groan. First off. Josh can get stuffed. I’m not in the mood to deal with that crap right now. Second, I know it says unknown, but there’s no mistaking who was sending those messages, and to be honest, I have no idea how the hell he found my number. It doesn’t matter anyway as that’s another message I won’t be responding to.
I bring my phone up above me and bring up a new text to Brooke.
Tora – Sorry I didn’t respond to your messages. I was dead asleep. How’d your night go? Did you finally seal the deal with Maxen?
Brooke – Shit, Tora. What are you doing????? It’s only nine in the morning!! No Maxen, he was a little busy with his head between Elle’s legs. I’ll catch him next time!
Tora – WHAT??? Elle strayed from the football team? NEVER!!!!
Brooke – I know! There’s going to be trouble in cheer practice on Monday. Little miss pom-poms broke the rules! Speaking of the football team… Josh was looking for you all night… so was the broody asshole.
Tora – Ugh! Don’t remind me. They can both go to hell!
Brooke – Whoa! Laying it on thick this morning.
Tora – Sorry, I’m not feeling well.
Brooke – THEN GO BACK TO SLEEP.
With that, I put my phone down beside me and close my eyes. My head continues to pound and my nose needs a good blow. Reluctantly, I peel myself off my bed and start searching through my desk drawers for the painkillers that I threw in here after the migraine I had a few weeks ago.