“Scarlett, are you almost ready to go? Uncle David made pancakes for you.”
My gaze shoots to the small clock on my bedside table.Oh, shit.How long have I been wigging out? I squeeze my eyes shut, swiping at my face with my hands.
“Um. I’ll be down in a few. I-I overslept.”
“Can I come in? You sound upset, sweetie.”
“No, I… I mean I’m getting dressed. I’m okay. I promise.”
Is it possible someonetookmy bracelet? My face falls. And here I thought I was finally getting somewhere. Would Xander do this to me? I hope not. And he’d just made Aria give back my homework. Why take the bracelet? I guess it could have been anyone.Shit.I scrub my hands over my face and recall that I had left class to use the bathroom after I’d finished my essay. That’s the only time I remember my backpack being out of my sight all day yesterday. Unless maybe I missed the pocket and it ended up on the floor for someone else to find? It’s really my only hope. I can no longer hold in the ragged sob building in my chest. I can’t believe I lost the last gift my mother gave me.
Chapter 27
“I’ve got to admit, I’m completely confused.” Max side-eyes me from the driver’s seat of the slick, black BMW X5. He taps his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the music flooding his car. Max agreed to come to the party with me tonight. Daphne, true to herself, had said it wasn’t her scene but couldn’t wait to hear about it when we got home.
“Do you mean you’re confused about why you ever deigned to be seen in my shitty truck last week when we could have ridden in this beauty instead? I think this is the nicest vehicle my ass has ever had the privilege of sitting in. Don’t tell Ruth I said so.”
He snorts. “Thanks. I think. Anyway, no, I was referring to the unexpected invite to join in on the festivities tonight. How’d we go from the blowing-Xander-in-class rumor earlier this week to an invitation to a party at Beau’s?”
I chew on my lip as we approach the large, fancy homes closest to the academy. All the nerve endings in my body begin to prickle with anxiety. In an effort to divert attention from my rising panic, I huff out a laugh, “Don’t think I didn’t hear you saywein the same breath asblowing Xander.”
He chuckles, giving the steering wheel a couple more taps with his fingers. “I can dream, can’t I?”
I stifle another laugh as best I can. “You’re terrible.” I wet my lips, thinking about his question. “So, the answer to how’d we go from there to here—I’m telling you, Xander’s been apologizing for a couple of days now.”
I hesitate with how much I should actually tell Max. I mean, how do I tell him that the same guy who has been giving me hell since school started had his hand in my panties last night making me moan in a way I never have before? Knowing Max, he’d probably call me a dumbass and follow up by asking me to tell him every detail.
“What? Wait. He apologized?”
“Well, you were there when he tried to talk to me after class. Then he followed me out on the trails during practice on Wednesday to say he was sorry. I only half believed him, though.” That’s because he’d kissed me, made me feel things—then threw it right back in my face. “But then he came into the ice cream shop last night while I was working. I think he feels some kind of remorse for going as far as he has. Micah actually brought up the tripping incident, saying it was an accident, and offered an apology.” I catch his eye. “Then Xander apologized, too.”
“But what he said to you was no fucking accident, Cupcake.”
I nod. “I know. I pointed that out to him. Anyway, he’s taken me on one hell of a wild roller-coaster ride. He claims it’s because Aria is jealous, even though they aren’t together.”
Max rolls his eyes. “I just hope he’s not playing you. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
I shrink down in my seat. Yeah. I’m totally not telling him about the Xandergasm.No can do.
“Well, I’m here for you. And obviously I won’t be drinking if I’m driving, so you can have fun if that’s what feels right.”
My hand reaches out, patting the back of his where it rests on the center console. “I really appreciate your friendship, Max. I’ve been nothing but a pain in your ass since the minute you laid eyes on me.”
“Not true.”
“Oh, come on,” I sigh.
“Did you ever think maybe there’s a reason Daphne and I stick around?”
I glance out the window at the huge McMansion we’ve just pulled up outside of. Distracted by the obnoxious display of wealth, I murmur, “Why’s that?”
“Because you’re a cool chick, Scarlett Miller. I think Xander sees it, too. He just hasn’t fully admitted it to himself yet. The question of why he’s behaving like a dick to you half the time? That I can’t answer. Maybe it is Aria. Maybe not. Maybe he didn’twantto want you because of all that. But I think he does.”
Judging by the raging hard-on Xander had last night, I’d have to agree. If I close my eyes, I can still feel him between my legs. I suppress a delicious shiver. “This reminds me of this kid back in third grade who pushed me down on the playground, only to help me up and try to kiss me right afterward. He said he wanted to be my boyfriend and didn’t know how else to get my attention.”
Max snorts with laughter. “Come on, then. I’ll make sure Xander doesn’t push you down and try to kiss you. Unless you want him to.” He winks and gets out of the SUV, slamming the door behind him.
I guess this is it. A party with the Roses.Suddenly, I feel very inadequate. I step out and shut the door, then find Max waiting with a hand outstretched. I reach mine out to take it, and for about the hundredth time today, my heart sinks when I glimpse my bare wrist. I’d asked Mrs. Harden this morning if she’d seen my bracelet, and she hadn’t. I’m guessing it hadn’t grown legs and walked out of my bag—more like someone had gotten in there and snatched it.