Back where I grew up, that would be insane. Parents didn’t buy their young kids plastic surgery. But here? This town is full of rich kids who get whatever they want at the drop of a hat. Girls were getting their noses done as young as sophomore year.
“Hey, girl.” I open my arms to hug her when she pushes the man away.
“Haven’t seen you ladies in a while.” She pulls away to hug Tatum.
“Yeah, I haven’t seen you over at the house.”
Raven is Alex’s on-again off-again girlfriend. They’ve been together since our junior year in high school. She’s just as crazy as he is. Rumor has it he killed someone over her. I can’t say I believe it, but it wouldn’t surprise me. I once watched him hit a guy in the head with a beer bottle because the man smacked her ass.
“Yes, well, let me introduce you to Rick.” She points over at the guy standing beside her. Clearly telling me the reason she hasn’t been at the house is because her and Alex are currently off.
I’ve always liked Raven. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. Tatum and I went out with her last summer, and she got us banned from a bar. Picking a fight with the owner’s daughter will do the trick. But to be fair, none of us started it. The bitch jumped Raven, and we couldn’t just stand by and not help a friend out.
I go to reach out my hand to Rick, but he pulls me in for a hug, his hand a little too low on my ass for my liking, so I push him off.
He goes to hug Tatum, and she takes a step back from him.
“We have to get together soon,” Raven speaks.
Her date’s phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket to answer. “Be right back,” he tells her and turns around, exiting the kitchen.
“Who are you dating?” Tatum beats me to it.
“I met him through my mom,” she answers, adjusting her dress to make sure her boobs are on display.
“Your mom?” Tatum pulls her lip back. “How old is he?”
“Thirty-three.” She winks, smiling. “No more playing around with boys.”
“Gross,” Tatum whispers. “He was like ten years old when you were born.”
Raven laughs. “Date up, ladies. I promise. You’ll like it.”
I look at the guy, and he’s talking to another girl, his eyes clearly on her chest. “He’s checking that girl out,” I tell her.
I’m not one of those friends who will keep secrets from you. If I know something, I’m telling you. You can hate me all you want after you take your sleazy, cheating boyfriend back, but at least I know you’re aware of the situation.
“We’re not exclusive.” She waves it off. “It’s just for fun.”
“You ready, Raven?” he asks, coming back over to us. “Let’s get the fuck out of here and go to a real party.”
I don’t know what it is about him, but I’m not a fan.
“Yeah.” She pulls us both in for a hug. “Call me. We’ll get together.”
They turn and walk out just as someone else catches my eye. Billy enters the kitchen with none other than Cheryl under his arm. They’re technically supposed to be broken up right now. He’s been dating Tatum for a month.
I clear my throat and nudge her arm. When she notices him, I feel her body stiffen beside me. “Motherfucker,” she hisses under her breath. “I fucking knew it.”
“What?” Mitch looks up, his eyes darting around the room to see what’s going on. He doesn’t tolerate fights in this house. He’ll be the first to knock a guy out just to break it up.
Billy has his back toward us, talking to a couple of guys over by the entrance. My eyes drop to see Cheryl’s hand in his back pocket, and I quickly down my drink. I’m pissed that I don’t even get to enjoy it.
Tatum storms off, and I set my empty cup down, wiping some off my chin. “Refill, please.” Then I take off after Tatum.
She walks up to him and taps his shoulder. He turns around with a smile on his face, but it drops the moment he sees her.
“Tatum?” He pushes Cheryl off him. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here? What the fuck are you doing here?” She stabs his chest. “And with her?”
Cheryl averts her brown eyes because she knows damn well that Billy and Tatum have been dating. But who am I to say anything? I fucked Colt while I was with Nate.
“Tatum, let’s take this outside.” Billy grabs her arm.
“No.” She shoves him off. “We can talk about it right here.”
His eyes narrow down on her. “I’m nothing like your best friend.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” she yells.
He steps up to her, and I square my shoulders. “It means I don’t want everyone to know our business.”