“Life’s not fair. But you need to keep living it.” Her gaze pleaded with me, but I hardened my heart.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally said as I brushed past her to get to my last class of the day.
The party was being held out by Kevin’s grandparents’ house, down by the pond. They had agreed to it as long as no one left. The shadow of what had happened with Lucian and the boys two years ago was still heavy over our community.
Though I really didn’t want to, my dad actually was the one to encourage me to go. He’d smiled and said, “You’re eighteen now. You’ll be leaving for college, and it will be time to bury your nose in the books. I trust you, and you deserve to go have some fun. Just call me if you drink and don’t want to stay, and I’ll pick you up.”
At first I was shocked. His younger sister Priscilla had died before I was born when she was hit by a drunk driver. That was why I initially thought my dad would never believe Lucian was innocent—because alcohol had been involved. Yet he had surprised me and had faith in Lucian.
In the end, I decided maybe he was right, and I broke down and went.
Music blared from a speaker set up in the back of someone’s truck, and laughter rang out around us. Teddy sat next to me and looped an arm around my shoulders as he leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Hey, Lila, you wanna go to the back of my truck to look at the stars?”
With a sigh, I shrugged his arm off me. “No. I’m fine here. Thanks.”
He scoffed, and the beer on his breath made me want to gag. “We all know you were fucking Lucian every chance you had. Don’t act like you’re all virginal, Lila.”
My mouth fell open, and the tears that had been burning in my eyes since my conversation with Noelle blurred my vision. I stood and started to stalk to my car.
“Lila, wait! I’m sorry,” he said as he came after me and grabbed my arm. I threw my bottle of Diet Coke at him.
“Fuck you, Teddy. You were supposed to be his friend—myfriend. Let go of me.” I shook my arm, and he let go. Regret was in his eyes, but I didn’t care. I was done.
Ignoring the glances I got from the partygoers as I passed, I stormed across the field to where my car was parked with the rest along the private dirt road. Feet pounding behind me had me pausing.
“Lila! Where are you going? We’re not supposed to leave,” Noelle said with her brow furrowed, panting from her run to catch up to me.
“I haven’t had a drop to drink unless you count Diet Coke. I’m going home.”
“Lila, please—” she began, but I cut her off.
“You go have fun. I’ll see you Monday.”
She sighed, and defeat was etched on her face as I climbed in my car and backed out. When I reached the main driveway, Kevin’s grandfather was set up as a sentinel.
“Great,” I muttered as I rolled down my window.
“Lila, girl. You know I said no one was to leave.” His shaggy brows lowered as he spoke.
“I know, Mr. Brenager. But I swear, I haven’t had a drop of alcohol. Wanna smell my breath?” I asked with a grin that I hoped seemed brighter than I felt.
“Yes,” he said as he crossed his arms over his chest. “And get out. I wanna see you do that sobriety stuff.”
Jesus. “Okay?” I put my car in park, got out, blew in his face, walked heel to toe, touched my nose and any other thing I could think of before he finally huffed.
“Fine. But anything happens and it will be on your conscience,” he grumbled. I thought I heard him mumble something about a kid my age not needing a car like I had too. Inside I was rolling my eyes. My dad was the district attorney and had done well for himself in private practice before that. They were older when I was born, and they tended to spoil me. The Mercedes was an early graduation present.
“Yes, sir,” I said as he let me get back in my car and pull out of the gate. The night was pitch-black out on the country road, and I gripped the wheel tightly with clammy hands. I didn’t breathe easy until I was on the blacktop and headed back to town.
The entire way home, I thought about Lucian. I missed him so much, my chest ached every damn day.
When I pulled in the driveway, I was relieved to see the lights on. My parents were supportive and the best parents anyone could ask for. My dad had taught me that hard work got you the nicer things in life. While he may have bought me the car, it was only because I’d maintained straight As despite what had happened. Little did he know, I’d poured myself into my studies so I didn’t have as much time to think.
I let myself in and shuffled to the family room where the TV was on. “Hey, Mom. Dad. I decided to come home early.”
No one answered. Confusion marred my brow as I glanced around.
Where are they?