“It’s a game night. You think he went out?” Corey asks.
“I think he likes Hannah,” I tell him.
Corey nods his understanding before turning his attention to his phone.
“I’m at a party,” Hadley says.
“I know. Do you remember the address?”
“How did you meet other girls you casually dated? Is there a checklist? I mean there has to be right? Or like a trial period. We had a trial period. Are we still in a trial period?” She hums as she does when she types or writes, as though she’s mentally writing plausible answers or maybe more questions.
Corey lifts his hand to catch my attention, a deep frown marring his brow. “They ate edibles. They’re all higher than fucking kites.”
I chuckle and shake my head. Our conversation makes so much more sense now.
“Also,” Corey says, “they’re on frat row. The soccer team’s throwing a party at their frat house. I sent you the address. We’ll meet you there.”
My smile falls. For fuck’s sake.
Of course, they are.
“Cutlass, you’re in enemy territory.”
“Are you guys’ really enemies or is it more like what we have? Because I like our prank war. Sometimes your pranks are my favorite part of my day.”
“Where’s Ethan?”
“Over there.”
“How high are you?”
“High? No. I’m just high on life. I’m being impulsive, and it feels amazing. Maybe that’s why I like our arrangement so much. It feels impulsive.”
Emotions whorl in my chest as I glance at the address Corey sent.
“My stomach feels kind of weird.”
“Edibles can do that.”
“Edibles?”
Shouting is followed by laughter, all I can hear as I speed down sleepy roads until reaching frat row, recognizable by the large houses, and cars spilling into the street.
I double park, blocking half of the oncoming lane so I can stop in front of the right house.
“What part of the house are you in?” I ask, already out of my truck.
Hadley doesn’t respond, but I hear the noise of the party in the background.
Corey pulls up behind me and Palmer swings out of his passenger side, Grey out of the back. “He’s going to stay so we don’t get towed,” Palmer explains as they follow me up the front stairs. “Think they’ll kick us out?” he asks, his eyes glinting with excitement.
Grey shakes his head. “Don’t engage with the soccer team or anyone for that matter. Heads down and get them out.”
“They’re fucking toasted,” I say.
In my ear, Hadley remains silent. It has a fissure of nerves coursing through me, leaving me wholly unbalanced as my focus becomes fixated on finding her.
“Damn,” Palmer says as we stand in the doorway. The house is crowded and so full, I’m shocked the fire marshals haven’t arrived to shut it down. “Costume party.” He practically salivates.