Chapter 5

Boston pulleda t-shirt over his head, his damp hair sticking up at odd angles. He ran a hand through it, catching my eye in the mirror.

"You look nice," he said with a crooked smile.

I decided on my favorite black crop top and dark-wash jeans. I usually felt confident in this combo, but at that moment, I felt strangely self-conscious.

"Thanks," I mumbled, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from my top.

I heard the honk of Willow's car and we headed out to the front where her red convertible idled in the driveway. Parker strode ahead of me, calling out shotgun as Boston shut the door behind me.

"There they are! Hop on in." Willow greeted us cheerily as we climbed into the backseat. Her blonde curls bounced with enthusiasm.

Parker slid into the passenger seat beside her, and she put the car in motion. "Hope you don't mind me taking the front seat. Figured I'd give you the chance to put the moves on me," his voice lowering an octave. Even from the back seat, I could see the hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

Willow laughed lightly as her eyes flickered to meet his before returning to the road. "Keep dreaming, Peter."

The momentary glare that flickered across Parker's face quickly dissolved into another smile, this one more genuine and warm than the last. "It's Parker," he corrected. "…But I like that you have a nickname for me already," he winked.

I rolled my eyes at my brother's obvious flirtation, but my annoyance started to fade as we made our way down the dark, winding roads.

We pulled up at a large lake house. Its sleek and modern design stood out from the surrounding homes. Every detail seemed like it was brand new and custom, from the large glass windows to the unique angles of the roof. Cars flooded the driveway and l tried to look inside the glass windows, but the tint was too dark. We made our way to the front, where we could hear the music thumping and giggling from inside. I took a deep breath as we walked through the front door, allowing Willow to lead the way.

Parker and Boston were instantly swarmed by a group of baseball players. "My guys, glad you could make it!" One of the players said as the group merged into the party. I smiled, watching them seamlessly blend into the crowd.

The air was thick with the smell of cheap beer and cologne. Boys in baseball caps and athletic wear crowded the room, red solo cups in hand. A couple of players I recognized from earlier danced in the center, laughing as they moved to the music.

A few feet away, I spotted Reese, surrounded by a group of people. His presence commanded the room, and my eyes were drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Then someone made him laugh—and smile a genuine smile that I hadn't seen from him yet. His smile felt warmly comforting as the dimples in his cheeks deepened.

But then I noticed a few girls making their way over to me and Willow. Their eyes were bright with curiosity as they approached.

Willow placed a gentle hand on my arm. "Don't let them rattle you, love. That's just Caroline, she's the blonde in the middle and those are her friends—she kinda leads and the others follow. They're harmless, really, just eager for any gossip or news they can spread around."

I raised an eyebrow. "What could they possibly want to gossip about with me?"

"Boys and the Bayside Ball, of course," Willow said, a smile playing on her lips. "It's the event of the summer around here where they announce the MVP and all the awards at the end of the season for the Blue Devils. It used to be a regular award ceremony but I think the parents wanted an excuse to throw a huge party and now it's a big thing—they go all out."

I laughed. "Let me guess. It's also an excuse for everyone to get dressed in expensive outfits and be seen?"

Willow nodded. "You got it. Caroline and her friends are desperate to be asked by one of the baseball boys, and I'm sure Parker and Boston are on their radar. And you've been spotted with both. In their minds, a date to the Bayside Ball is a status symbol."

I shook my head, watching the girls approach, their dresses swishing around their knees. "Well, they're going to be disappointed. I don't have any insider information to share."

I took a deep breath as the girls surrounded us, bracing myself for the incoming questions.

"Hi there Sweet Pea! You're Parker's little sister, right?" said a girl with short, stylish brown hair while the others near her listened closely.

"Yes, unfortunately." I sighed.

The girls exchanged glances, and I could sense their curiosity. "Is he single? And what about Boston? We need all the scoop on him," asked Caroline, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Yes, Parker is single. And Boston, there isn't much scoop to tell. He grew up next door to us and now he lives with Parker and two of their teammates back in Stillwater. He's always lived and breathed baseball," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"So he's single then too?" asked one of the girls, watching me closely.

"He is," I said softly.

"So, nothing is going on between you and Boston?" Caroline leaned in close, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched him across the room, still laughing with Parker and a few of their teammates. "I mean, look at him. He's so hot. And you grew up together. There must be some sort of history there."

I followed her gaze, feeling a tightness in my chest. History? You could say that again. He was the most perfect boy I had ever known, who happened to be attached at the hip to my brother. I adored him and pretended he was my prince charming for as far back as I could remember, but my heart sank knowing he'd never see me in the same way.

"Definitely history, but nothing to spill," I sighed, shaking my head to dispel the remnants of the past. "We grew up together, and he's my brother's best friend, that's all."

But that wasn't all. He wasn't so distant until high school happened, I thought, as I watched Boston wipe his brow with the back of his hand. He got popular, surrounded by pretty girls and athletes. And I... I found my comfort in the drama club and stage lights. We were in very different worlds now, and it didn't seem possible for them to collide. Boston was still Boston, effortlessly charming and impossibly out of reach. And I was still me, more comfortable reciting lines than living out a real-life romance.

Time seemed to stand still as I continued to listen to Caroline try to make small talk, and soon I found myself exchanging glances with Reese across the room. His eyes held mine for a few moments before I looked away, my cheeks flushed with heat. He was leaning casually against the marble fireplace mantel, holding a red solo cup. I couldn't stop myself from admiring how unfairly hot he was, then instantly wanted to kick myself for thinking so.

Willow noticed me glancing in his direction before I could look away. "C'mon, I see Reese over there. I'll introduce you," she said, linking her arm through mine and leading me through the crowd.

"Willow, I don't think this is a good idea," I panicked, dredging my heels into the polished wood floor, each step toward him amplifying my dread.

"Oh, it'll be fine," she said in a dismissive tone. She tugged me forward, her enthusiasm undiminished by my resistance.

"Reese, I'd like you to meet my friend Chandler," Willow said cheerfully.

Then he looked at me, taking me in completely, and the corner of his mouth twisted into a smirk that could only be described as devilish. "Oh, if it isn't my biggest fan."

Heat crept up my neck, painting my cheeks a mortified shade of red. "Yeah, sorry about that," I managed to say, forcing a smile that felt as shaky as my voice.

I glanced around, desperate for any lifeline to cling to, as Willow was now talking to his friend. "But you do have a beautiful home," I offered a smile, hoping it would be enough to smooth over the comments I made about him earlier.

Reese's reaction was minimal, his eyes holding mine for a mere moment before he acknowledged the compliment with a nonchalant, "Thanks." Then he took a sip from the cup he was holding before saying, "Enjoy the party."

Then, without another word, he finished the rest of his drink as he tipped it back in one smooth motion. His gaze drifted past me, scanning the room as if he were searching for something—or someone—far more interesting than me. His unjustified sense of entitlement was highly infuriating.

With ease, Reese set his empty cup down on a nearby table and turned his back to me, his shoulders broad and dismissive. The finality of the gesture left me standing there, feeling both slighted and oddly unsettled.

This was Reese Carrington—I knew about his arrogance on the field, his snide comments off it, and the way he seemed to revel in being a perpetual pain in the ass of anyone who crossed his path. Why did I even care?

I bit my tongue as irritation flared up inside me before redirecting my attention to Willow. "Well, he seems charming," I said sarcastically.

"Oh, don't let him get to you," Willow pleaded. "He's usually really nice. He probably just has a lot going on."

"Yeah, I can see that," I said, my voice dripping with disdain.

A sudden grip on my wrist pulled me away from Willow. I whipped around, strands of my hair catching in the draft, to find Parker's concerned eyes boring into mine.

"Why were you talking to Reese?" His voice was low and urgent.

"Maybe because it's his house," I said with a shrug, pulling away my wrist from his firm hold, "And Willow introduced me. It was the polite thing to do."

Parker's frown deepened as his gaze shifted momentarily toward where Reese stood. He leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Look, I know we're at his house, but do your best to stay away from him, okay? That is not the company you wanna keep."

"Really?" I countered with a firm glare. "And here I thought this was just a friendly social gathering."

His eyes narrowed slightly, the protective older brother mode kicking in full swing. "I'm serious, Chandler. You don't know him like we do. Reese has a reputation?—"

"Trust me. I know all about the history—I've been to many games you've played against him, remember?" I pointed out, rolling my eyes for effect. "And you're not the company I wanna keep either, but here we are."

"Ha," Parker chuckled dryly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a forced smile. "Hey, I just know guys, and that is definitely not one I'd trust."

"Good thing I'm not asking you to trust him then," I retorted, already turning on my heel, ready to leave the conversation and irrelevancy behind. "Goodbye, Parker," I ended the conversation, my steps carrying me back toward Willow.

Willow was talking to another new face, and we were still in clear sight of Reese as he continued casual conversation with his friends. That crooked smile, those striking eyes—he was magnetic. Then... I saw her. A leggy brunette cozied up next to him, placing a perfectly manicured hand on his arm. She was gorgeous, of course. With her cascading dark locks and full lips, she looked like a model. The kind with a fierce glam squad. "Hey you," he said, pulling her into an embrace. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

My stomach twisted into knots. So this was his girlfriend. This was probably who he was searching for in the crowd. I couldn't deny the feeling of slight disappointment, even though I couldn't pinpoint why.

"Who's that with Reese?" I asked Willow, trying to sound casual.

"Oh, that's Blair Cassidy," Willow replied knowingly. "Her and Reese have been on and off forever. Looks like they must be on at the moment. Their dads both own the law firm in town. Those are two lawyers you don't want on your bad side."

I nodded, watching Blair whisper something in Reese's ear that made him laugh. They really did seem perfect together. Two ridiculously good-looking rich kids. I suddenly felt very out of place at this party. With a sigh, I turned away from Reese and Blair's intimate exchange with the image seared into my mind.