29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

ISABEL

That text from Nic still stared up at me hours later, and I frowned down at it, my thumb hovering over the screen as I debated if I should text again.

Fighting myself for just a minute, I slipped my phone back into my shorts pocket and looked around the crowd. Corey’s party had been underway for a few hours now, and while it had started with mostly just us seniors from Breaker Ridge, I was starting to see some faces I didn’t know.

Keeping to myself while Annie went for another beer, I leaned against Tucker’s truck, wishing someone would put on some music for dancing. Corey usually had some going by now, and it was how I made it through the party scene the few times I came.

I caught Tucker’s gaze from across the fire where he was hanging with the guys, and his brow furrowed as he paused from whatever cute idiot thing they were doing over there. I sent him a small smile, not wanting him to worry, and watched Jet clap him on the back. Even Micah and Kurt were over there having fun .

“What are you doing hiding over here?” Emma asked, coming over when she spotted me.

“Watching. Observing everyone in their habitat,” I joked, making her grin.

“You know what this party needs? Music.”

“ Thank you. I was just thinking that.”

“Where’s Corey?” Emma glanced around and then cupped one of her hands up to her mouth. “Hey, Corey! Play some music!”

His head popped up from over by the kegs, and he raised his arm with a thumbs up before disappearing into the cab of his truck. A few minutes later, bass was pumping through the night air.

“Thank you. You’re seriously a Godsend,” I praised, my muscles already alert and itching to move, the urge to dance calling for me. But I’d still wait until more people were out there.

“No problem.” Emma smiled against her cup and looked around the fire. “But now that you basically owe me a favor, I gotta ask why you never told me your cousin was so hot.”

“Who? Kurt?”

“Yeah, Kurt. What other cousin do you have?”

“Gabe, but he’s married.”

Emma gave me a ‘then why would I care’ look, and I shrugged.

“What about Ian?”

“Oh, you missed that drama,” Annie said as she walked up, a fresh cup of beer in both hands. “Emma dumped him when Daniel mentioned all the stuff Ian’s been saying she does with him.”

My brow shot up in surprise, and Emma nodded .

“Kurt thinks you’re hot, too, by the way,” Annie added. “And the first keg’s already low if you’re wanting any. Sis?” she asked hopefully, earning herself a look. Graduation or not, drinking wasn’t my thing.

Emma shrugged. “To each their own. Drink or not as long as you’re having fun. Hell, I’m just happy Corey’s brother brought extra tonight. It looks like this party might end up pretty big. I’ll probably get a refill soon.” She mused into her nearly empty cup, then jerked her gaze up to Annie. “Wait. Kurt thinks I’m hot? How do you know?”

“I passed Noah on the way to the kegs. He says Kurt keeps asking about you.”

“Oh, my God.” Emma chugged the beer she had left. “I’m gonna go talk to him.”

I watched as she took off for a refill and then broached the idiot side of the bonfire, striding straight up to Kurt with a flirty smile. She hooked a thumb in the pocket of her shorts and looked up at him through her lashes. Kurt immediately turned to talk, suddenly an idiot no more.

Annie rolled her eyes. “Boys… What a tank top and flirty eyes will do to them.” She shook her head and downed nearly half of one of her cups.

I frowned, watching her. Remembering the last time I’d been with her at a party and she’d filled two cups at once. “Annie?” She looked at me, and I glanced at her beers.

“Don’t. I’m just trying to get a good, solid buzz going. That’s all.”

“Fine.” I looked away. “But did you have to encourage Emma about Kurt? You know she doesn’t know he’s half-Hispanic.”

Annie shrugged, her dismissal telling me the alcohol was already taking its carefree effect. “Then her dad won’t find out. Kurt’s not here for good, he looks white, and he has a white last name. Pope. Yep. Her dad’s gonna freak.”

I raised my eyebrows at her sarcasm.

“What?! It shouldn’t matter.”

“It shouldn’t, but we both know that, in Emma’s case, it does.”

Annie frowned for a moment. “Look, I just want her to have fun after Ian’s dumb ass. Besides, who’s gonna say anything? We know who the snitches are now.”

I sighed, relenting, and Annie fell into chatter with another group that walked up, letting me go back to observing the crowd.

At least Mateo’s not here. He wasn’t taking any chances with his scholarship now and seeing Emma flirting with another new guy would probably set him off. I felt so bad for him, but I was glad he still had basketball.

I wish Nic had something he was into. Dwelling on what Enzo and Anna had done was eating him alive, and I was seriously worried. I was just thinking about finally sending him another text when Casey ran up.

“You’re here.” I bounced on my heels, excited to see her.

“Yep. Dinah and I heard when the party started to spread, and we got our asses here faster than you can say hot, fuckable spread of guys.”

I wasn’t sure what face I made, but she laughed.

“Sorry, wrong audience, wifey. Let’s go dance.”

I raised an eyebrow again. “You’re already drunk, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” She popped a shoulder. “Now, come on. It’s not a party ‘til we’re on the dance floor.”

At that, I beamed, letting her pull me out into the crowd.

TUCKER

“Whatcha doin’, princess?” I jogged up to Izzy after a round of sand table beer pong with the guys and leaned down to give her a kiss.

She scrunched her nose. “You smell like alcohol.”

“Sorry…whatcha doin’?” I reached out to pull her hair off her neck, twirling it around my hand like a windmill, and Izzy sighed in relief.

“That actually feels good. I can feel some breeze.”

“Glad to be of service.” I winked, and she shook her head, the corner of her lips lifting in a slight smile.

“You’re lucky you’re adorable tipsy, whiskey.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is buzzed,” I said, pretending to look offended as I pulled her hair back correctly this time. I laid it over her shoulder, and she took over, adjusting the strands.

“Sure. Buzzed. Fine.”

I frowned, noting the flirting was gone. “Okay, for real. What’s up?”

“Nothing. I just finally tried calling Nic again, and he still hasn’t answered. I’m worried, Tucker.”

I gave her a sympathetic look, realizing that other than when I’d seen her dancing with her friends, it didn’t seem like she was enjoying the party. “He just needs some space. ”

“Is she calling him again?” Jet asked with a smirk just before I could ask her to dance. His arm wrapped around Annie’s waist as they approached.

“I’m worried , Jet.” She shot him a look, and I pulled her in for a hug.

“He’s just teasing.”

“I know. I’m just… I don’t like that he’s ignoring me. He’s just so frustrating.”

“Finally! You agree!” Annie threw a hand out.

Jet and I laughed, and even if Izzy didn’t want us to see it, I could see the smirk she tried to hide. I just wished I could get her to lighten up and enjoy the party.

“Wanna dance, princess?” I bent over to rest my head on top of hers from behind, and she tilted hers back to look up at me, that smile I was hoping to see starting to show.

“You really think you have to ask?”

Grinning, I scooped her up, loving her laughter as I took off for the crowd of dancers that had formed past Corey’s truck. Annie’s shriek echoed behind us as Jet lifted her, too, and he set her down in the sand next to Izzy, her expression now twisted into disgust.

“Damn, Annie. I know you hate dancing, but it’s not that bad,” I teased, already pulling Izzy flush against my abs, but Annie shook her head, her hand going to her middle.

“Not that. It was the lifting that got me.”

“Sorry, sweetheart.” Jet winced as Izzy pointed a finger at her sister.

“Just be aware that I’m not cleaning up any puke. You over-drink and get sick, it’s on you. ”

“The love I feel right now,” Annie deadpanned, and the twins shared a grin as Jet pulled Annie against him for the dance.

ANNIE

I let my sister subject me to dancing for a while before I finally bowed out, and Jet and I left Tucker and Izzy behind to go socialize. They were caught up in each other, but I wanted to soak up every part of this party. Tonight was about more than just our group. It was our last night like this with some of our friends before we all started parting ways.

We ended up with a group of friends by the bonfire, the heat from the flames wafting over me in waves. It was not a good mix with all the beer I’d had, and I took a few steps away towards the water, hoping some breeze coming in from the ocean would help calm my stomach.

Jet followed me over. “You okay?”

My eyes closed, and I took in a slow inhale of the salty air. “Just got too hot, I think.”

“You want me to get you some water?”

I thought for a moment, considering how it might sit on my stomach, then nodded. “Yeah. I think that might help.”

“On it.” Jet pressed a kiss to my forehead and took off, and I took another few deep breaths, the fresh breeze already starting to help .

Taking a few steps closer to the water, I soon sensed someone walking up behind me, relief hitting that Jet had gotten back so quickly, but when I turned around, I froze when I saw it was Ruby.

She was wearing that tiny blue bikini top with some skimpy cut-off shorts and a sneer on her face as she approached. I crossed my arms under my chest, my yellow and black studded bikini top a definite size or two larger. I’d spill out of her tiny ass thing.

I shifted my stance to show her she could bring it. I wasn’t backing down, and some part of my brain told me I didn’t even know what she had to say yet, but my hackles were rising regardless. As much as I’d hated her before, I did not trust her as far as I could throw her after seeing her near Zane.

“I didn’t realize they were letting mangy strays in. No decent parties in Outer Ridge tonight? You had to come spread your fleas around ours?”

Her gaze narrowed. “You’re so fucking crass. Maybe that’s why I don’t see Jet anywhere near you. He’s sick of your mouth.”

“And I’m sick of your face. I thought we were done with your ass when you got fired.”

Her eyes flared. “Yeah, thanks for that. I heard about the complaint you made and the sexual harassment claim you made Jet file. Must be nice having connections to the boss. I wouldn’t be surprised if you fuck him, too, with how quickly you cost me my job.”

“Bitch.” I stepped forward, almost pulling my hand free to smack her, but I clenched my fist instead. “ You cost yourself your job by not keeping your hands off what’s mine .”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see how long he’s yours.” She took a step forward to match mine. Hardly any space was left between us, and fire pulsed through the air with my anger.

“Still haven’t clued in that he doesn’t want you?”

“Who says he doesn’t?”

I scoffed. “You’re fucking unbelievable. Delusional . What the fuck are you even doing here? I’m not kidding. Jet doesn’t want you.”

Ruby’s smirk just grew. “We’ll see. And I’m here helping a friend. But it’s always a bonus when I get to piss you off.” She leaned in, a glint of power in her eyes as she hovered near my ear. “It’s fun seeing how jealous you are. Every dig you think you need to throw at me and every time you get pissed when I’m near him, just tells me I’ve got a shot. If y’all were as golden as you say you are, you wouldn’t care. And Jet’s never pushed me away.”

My muscles coiled to lunge as she leaned back, ready to wipe that fucking smirk from her face, when a strong arm slid around my waist and pulled my back flush against a familiar chest.

“Am I interrupting something?” Jet glanced between the two of us as I glared, still coiled to attack.

“Nope.” The bitch smiled sweetly, dropping her arms as she jutted her chest. “We were done here, but I was planning to look for you. I brought that book back that your cousin let me borrow. It was really good. David and I parked near your car, so I went ahead and put it in that duffel bag I saw on your floorboard.”

“Uh, thanks…”

I huffed, holding back a growl at how he still wasn’t telling her off .

“I better go track down David. Catch y’all later.” She waved before walking away, but Jet didn’t release his hold on me until she was out of sight.

I spun and fixed him with a heated glare. “Thanks? She was in your car , babe, and all you could say was thanks ? Not stay out of my shit?”

“Stay out of my shit? Really?”

“You know what I mean. You’re too nice with her.”

Jet closed his eyes and made a frustrated groan-type sound in the back of his throat. “Yeah. Probably.”

“Definitely. I don’t like sounding jealous, but I guess I am. Because according to her, you’ve never pushed her away. You need to actually tell the bitch that you don’t want her because right now, she still thinks she has a chance with you.”

Jet’s brow shot up. “Is that what she was saying when I walked up?”

“Yep. I mean it, babe. You see her again? Whether she pulls anything or not, you need to shut her down. I’m fucking done with the bullshit.”

Jet wrapped an arm around my back and pulled me to his chest. “You should be. I’ll set things straight next time. I swear,” he growled the last words against my mouth.

My breath hitched, every inch of my body reacting to the possessive sound. “How did this suddenly get sexual?” I smirked against his lips and felt him smile against mine.

“There’s something sexy about my woman getting fired up to defend us. I like it when you get possessive.”

Oh, my God . I did a mental eye roll even as desire flared in my belly, and I slid my arms under his to wrap my fingers in his hair at the nape of his neck. “Because you’re fucking mine, babe. But I need you to defend us, too. ”

“I will.” He nipped at my bottom lip, just the right amount of pressure to send a jolt of desire between my legs, then covered my mouth with his in a possessive kiss.