It’s because JJ is such an exceptional lover—his explanation, not mine—that makes him a threat to Nathan.
It was fun staying in Henry’s room. There’s a box of essentials like shampoo, wipes, hair ties, and tampons in his bathroom. I asked if an ex had left them, but he said he’d bought them for if a woman ever stayed over. He wanted to ensure she had everything she might need, especially because women never have their own socks.
I wish I had a sister so I could make her marry Henry because he makes my heart burst.
Making my way to the kitchen to join everyone else, it’s clear the spirits are high. It’s a miracle they managed to keep the party a secret. Mattie appears, holding a bottle of champagne. “Three minutes!” Robbie passes out the plastic cups while Mattie pops the bottle.
“One minute to midnight,” Henry says, looking at his watch.
Despite being October, it feels like New Year’s Eve because of the unexplainable excitement and clock watching.
There is a buzzing atmosphere in the kitchen, and anyone outside of our little group has no idea what’s going on. I’m glad because it’s so fucking silly, but the guys love it. From what I can tell, they’re sick of Nate being able to get any girl he wants.
Three.
Two.
One.
The guys erupt into cheering, throwing back their champagne and high-fiving each other. A heavy arm drops onto my shoulder, and I look up at JJ’s smiling face. “We make a great team, Allen. He’s about thirty seconds away. Are you ready for the fun?”
Bobby and Kris have been on “Hawkins Watch” all night, secretly sending updates on where they’re going and his frustration levels. He supposedly doesn’t care about my proposal; he doesn’t want to lose to me because I’d be unbearable.
Which might be the only thing we’ve ever agreed on.
There is a clear line of sight from the front door to the kitchen island where we’re all congregating. When he walks through the door, the first thing he does is shake his head, scanning the room full of people.
“He looks pissed.” Sabrina giggles.
“Yeah, that’s for me,” JJ says, downing the cup in one go, and he can’t shake the smile he’s wearing. “If he didn’t react the way he does, I wouldn’t do it. He makes it so freaking easy.”
I decide to meet him halfway, partially scared that if he reaches the kitchen, he’ll kill Jaiden, when a girl steps in front of him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He looks surprised, even more so than the rest of us. Sabrina leans forward, squinting. “Is that Summer Castillo-West?”
Summer lives in our building with our friend from The Honeypot, and right now, she’s on her tiptoes whispering into Nate’s ear. His eyes find me, and after smirking at me, he winks.
I down the rest of my drink. “Yeah, it’s Summer.”
An uncomfortable, poker hot feeling creeps up my spine, although it isn’t one I recognize. I have no desire to feel it again; it spreads to my stomach, turning when I see Nathan take Summer’s hand and lead her toward the stairs.
It’s not anger, it’s deeper than that. Agonizing and maddening, igniting me like fire. I think it’s jealousy.Shit.
JJ reaches up to scratch the back of his head, confusion etched into the soft lines of his face. He looks to the guys for support, but they’re all examining their cups, avoiding eye contact. He clears his throat and looks back at me. “Nate’s been chasing her since freshman year, but she’s never taken him on. I, uh, I don’t know what’s happening right now.”
That makes two of us.
I don’t think I blink the entire time Nate and Summer are upstairs together.After about ten minutes, I finally spot her on the stairs, but she’s alone. Rejoining her group to carry on drinking, she doesn’t look like she just hooked up with someone.
Heading toward the stairs, I consider maybe this isn’t a good idea. I’m fueled by alcohol, jealousy, and perhaps some disbelief. What’s the worst that could happen?
Part of me expects to bump into him coming down the stairs, pulling up his fly or something equally as gross, but I don’t. Pressing the code into the pad, the right one this time, I watch it flash green.
Nate’s sitting on the bed in the same spot I was earlier on the video call with him. He looks significantly happier than he did when he walked through the front door, which instantly makes me irritated.
“What the fuck was that?” I ask as calmly as I can, which, upon hearing myself speak, isn’t calm.
“Are you jealous, Anastasia?”