Chapter Five

Turns out Clarissa was right, my father was ecstatic that I was making plans with her, but his eyes lit up like saucers when I mentioned Chloe. At first, he didn’t know who I was talking about. I texted and asked her what her stepfathers name was. Apparently being friends with her could help him make important business connections with her family. I was even allowed to drive, on the condition Carter had to take me out and make sure I hadn't forgotten how to.

Carter took me around the block once and said my driving skills are as bad as they have always been. As long as I use the GPS, I shouldn’t get lost going anywhere. I had a crash course in how to use it since it’s a fancy built-in one on the dash. After dropping him back at the house, I picked up Clarissa and we headed over to Chloe’s. Both their houses are as ridiculously massive as mine. Seems like a waste to have such big houses for a handful of people. More staff are in the house at one time than actual residents.

“I thought you said Chev wasn’t going to be here.” I look at Clarissa and shrug. Chole had said he usually isn’t home, not that he wouldn’t be. Cars line the driveway and music pumps through speakers, but I look around and can’t see where the music is actually coming from. Must be an internal system.

“We won’t be here long anyway; how bad can he be?”

Clarissa laughs as we both jump out of the car. “Chev Abram…hmm let’s see.” She says rubbing her chin. “He got expelled for burning a picture of a dick into the lawns at school, there was the incident with the PE teachers car in the swimming pool that we all know he did but they couldn’t prove, his parents hate him, he drinks and smokes and rumour is that he had a prince albert but no one from around here has ever actually slept with him. Ambrosia says her maid’s daughter was bragging about it. Not to mention he is a complete asshole.”

“Sounds like a big ball of fun.” I joke and she doubles over in laughter. By the time we get to the front door Chloe comes running out in tears.

“Thank god you two are here, Chev and his friends suck.” She lifts her glasses from her face and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand.

After readjusting her glasses, she takes my hand and drags me inside the foyer. It’s a massive wide open space, with marble floors and a crystal chandelier that hangs down from the ceiling.

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Chev says as he walks down the main stairs. He is dressed in his usual bad boy attire, ripped jeans with a white shirt that moulds to his body and his black leather jacket. “Where is your boyfriend?”

Honestly, I don’t know, I have been avoiding his calls since last night. I half expected him to show up on my doorstep when he realized I was ignoring him, but so far that hasn’t happened. I know that is what the guys would do, they would freak out if I didn’t answer my phone and need to see with their own eyes that I was fine. Apparently, Sebastian and I didn’t have that kind of relationship and I’m okay with that. I had planned to break it off with him anyway, but I don’t know how my family would react to that since my father and his father have practically married us off.

“Probably screwing Lydia.” Clarissa makes a gagging sound and Chloe stays silent, watching our exchange.

“I don’t blame him, you might be the hottest girl at school but you’re a prude. Are you holding out for your knight in shining armour?” Chev asks, pinching his lips together trying not to laugh at his own lame attempt at a joke.

“Hell no, I’m waiting for a superhero actually.” He can’t hold it together this time and full on belly laughs. My heart sinks for a moment thinking about Levi, the conversation we had about him being Superman.

“If you come to your senses and realize villains fuck better you know where I live now.” Chloe chooses that exact moment to take off upstairs, her sobs echoing all the way up. I see the look in Chev’s eyes, he didn’t mean to hurt her but couldn’t stop himself from digging at me. I motion for Clarissa to follow her and she reluctantly follows her up the stairs.

“You’re an idiot.” I snap pushing past him. I turn back and see he is still looking in the direction Chloe took off to. “You don’t deserve someone good like her.”

His gaze snaps to mine, his voice filled with venom. “I know but the kicker is neither do you. Hurt her and I will ruin you.”

“The joke is on you, you seemed to have done that all on your own. Everyone in this stupid place cares more about image than anything else and I for one can’t wait to be gone again. Go do whatever assholes do and leave Chloe alone.”

He doesn’t reply, he just storms off mumbling something about me being a hypocrite. Right now I truly hate Bristol, the world she comes from, the friends she surrounds herself with and the life she has created. I just want to go back to being JD.

I take the stairs two at a time until I reach the top. I wander along the hallway until I hear Clarissa laugh.

“Bristol, finally. Tell Chloe that she needs to get dressed up for this party. The Eastside is an excuse to dress slutty and catch the attention of some hotties.” Clarissa, always the optimistic one.

“It’s not a terrible idea, you’re too good for Chev but what better way to piss him off than to show him what he is missing.” I remark with a shrug of my shoulders.

Chloe laughs and flops back onto her bed, her mass of curls fanned out beside her. “I’m not too good for him, I’m just the nerdy girl that has invaded his space and he does whatever it takes to avoid me at all costs.”

“I’m going to get my bag from the car, hand over the keys.” Clarissa says, making grabby hands. I throw my keys in her direction, she catches them and runs from the room. I hope Chloe is ready, Clarissa’s bag is a suitcase and I’m scared to know what she packed.

“You do realise you’re not invisible to him, right? Why do you think him and his friends are here and not already at a party on the Eastside?” I can see she is thinking it over. “You challenged him yesterday in a sense and he wants to see what you will do. I bet he thinks he can manipulate you into staying here.”

“Please just tell me this isn’t one of those times that the popular girls pretend to be friends with the nerd and then you get me wasted and film me doing embarrassing stuff.”

“The old me probably would have done that but the new me has turned over a new leaf. You seem to be the only one who has actually been nice to me in a genuine way, you don’t want anything from me and yet I was a total bitch to you.”

“You really were.” She says with a nervous laugh, but it really isn’t a laughing matter.

“Let’s make you look hotter than you already do and when we walk right past him, I bet he tries to make up some excuse why you shouldn’t go. He is going to try tear you down when you refuse to listen because if he can’t have you, nobody can.” She nods and seems slightly hopeful. Clarissa comes back dragging her suitcase behind her.

“Let’s get our whore on.” I shake my head at her, but can’t help the bubble of laughter I make. She starts throwing dresses that look more like shirts in our direction. Chloe looks absolutely mortified when she picks up a small black dress from the floor.

“Are you serious? This won’t hide anything.”

“Uh, that’s the point. I mean, look at you.” Clarissa walks over to Chloe and bunches her curls up on her head and makes her look at the wall sized mirror. “You have amazing eyes, if you have contacts we should definitely use them tonight, and I'll straighten your hair. We will find you a dress that hugs all the right curves and makes you look drop dead gorgeous. If I can make my cousin Marina look like a supermodel for her date even though she is a lonely bitter old bitch with the face of a dog, I can work with what you have going on.”

Clarissa throws together my outfit and I slip into the bathroom to get changed while she works on Chloe. My phone dings from its place on the counter and my heart stops when I see his name. I stare at my screen for a few minutes. I want to open the snap so badly and see how they are but I ignore the empty pit in my stomach and get dressed. I smile at my reflection, Rocky’s birthday present coming back to me along with all of their reactions to the bow. The silky red mini I’m wearing , has a top that somewhat resembles a bow, directly beneath my breasts the skin is visible making it look like I’m wearing a crop and a high waisted skirt.

I grab my things, exiting the bathroom to join the girls in the room. Clarissa makes me do a spin showing off my outfit and throws me a pair of black heels. By the time I pop the heels on Clarissa makes Chloe stand. I can’t stop my mouth from popping open at the sight in front of me. She looks like a totally different person, her black rimmed glasses have been replaced with contacts and her normally curly hair has been straightened. She does a twirl in the little black dress, the bottom flaring out wide. While cute, it’s still sexy, which is exactly the look we were going for tonight.

“Damn, you look hot.” I manage to speak when my brain catches up with my eyes. It’s easy to see Chloe isn’t used to compliments if the blush that takes over her face is anything to go by.

Clarissa’s black dress is a lot shorter and a lot tighter than ours. She looks like she is going out to work the corner, but I don’t say it out loud, good for her if she is comfortable enough to wear that out in public.

“How about we go and join the boys for some pre-drinks and see what they think of Chloe’s makeover?”

Chloe looks nervous, so I link our arms and we walk side by side down the enormous staircase, following the music until we reach an outdoor patio area. Chev is leaning against a pillar talking on his phone, not even looking in our direction. Two other guys are laughing at something they said, sitting in an outdoor lounge.

“Holy shit lil sis! Even I would bang you looking like that.” The blush from earlier takes over Chloe’s face again.

“Another brother?” I ask, rolling my eyes. Clarissa steps forward edging slightly in front of Chloe replying for her.

“No, he is one of Chev’s dickhead friends.” She looks at this guy like she wants to strangle him, clearly, they know each other.

“You know you want me, the sooner you stop pretending, the quicker you can ride my…”

“I wouldn’t touch your crab infested ass even if you were the last guy on the planet.” This guy stands placing his beer on the table and moves closer to Clarissa, his friend laughing at their banter. Chev has noticed us now, his eyes glued to Chloe but she is too busy watching Clarissa to notice him coming our way.

“Look at you all dressed up and nowhere to go.” He grabs the hem of her dress and gives it a flick before looking her up and down.

“I’m going to a party actually.” Her statement makes Chev laugh.

“Like hell you are. Do you really think someone like Bristol hangs out with someone like you for no reason?” Chloe’s eyes water. “Oh, you did.”

“Screw you.” I snap. “I may have been your female equal but that isn’t me anymore. So, you can bet your ass she is going out, we need to find ourselves some real men.” Saying it makes my stomach churn, I have my guys and I need them like I need air.

“What about Sebastian, he not man enough for you?” This makes me laugh.

“My relationship has nothing to do with you and it’s about time guys start to take notice of your sister, she’s hot.” I watch as his face screws up and a vein on his neck starts to pop. “Did I hit a nerve?”

“Nope, she can do what she likes, see if I care.” He snaps and walks away. Chloe’s grip on my arm tightens and I look around for Clarissa but find she is mauling the guy she claimed to hate.

“I told you he doesn’t like me.” Chloe whispers.

“Trust me, he does. Let’s get Clarissa and find this party.” We walk around the other chairs to the lounge they are perched on. I lightly tap her shoulder and they unlock their lips. They both have dazed lust filled expressions and her face is flushed.

“We’re leaving, are you coming?” She glances back to the guy she intertwined in, then turns and smiles at me.

“I’ll meet you there.” She turns back around ready to start kissing the guy again.

“Not so fast,” I state, sticking my hand in between their faces before they can get started. “I don’t know where to go.”

“I do.” Chloe interjects with a whisper. “I may have followed Chev a few times.”

“Ok then, you may resume mauling the guy you claim to hate.” I roll my eyes. “And Chloe and I will meet you there.”

“Don’t wait up.” She winks and locks lips again. Chloe and I take that as our cue that we aren’t wanted anymore. We walk through the back patio and back into the house.

“Can we take your car? I have a bad feeling my car may be getting tracked, my brother made a point to show me how the GPS works.” She nods and leads me into a garage. Flicking on the lights I’m floored, there are at least eight cars lined up inside.

“Most of those are Chevs, if you couldn’t tell with them being all muscle cars. There’s no way he would drive anything newer.” She unhooks a set of keys from a pegboard hanging on the wall and a small sleek sports car’s lights flash.

We both climb into the car, but before Chloe starts it she has to remove her heels. The moment Chloe turns on the ignition the garage door rolls up and Chev along with one of his friends are standing in the driveway. His face torn between wanting to come over here and rip her from the car and annoyance that he actually cares. She moves the car forward slowly pulling up beside him.

“Did you want something?” She asks innocently. He ignores her walking to my side of the car.

“When I find out what you’re up to I will make you pay.” I don’t reply, there’s no point to. It’s not like he believes anything I say anyways. I smirk at him and toss in a wink for good measure. He wants to think the worst of me, and I will happily let him.

“Floor it.” I say and Chloe cruises down the driveway. I glance in the side mirror and see Chev watching as we drive away. “You know he is going to follow us. So, when we get to the party, find a nice guy to flirt with, just don’t take drinks from anyone. Laugh a lot even if the guy is boring. It will drive him crazy.”

“I think I can do that.” She says even though she doesn’t sound very convincing at all.

When we arrive at a very lower-class part of town, I almost feel the need to lock the doors. Chloe parks her car but we’re pretty far from where the party seems to be. Walking arm in arm, we pass a few seedy looking guys, too old to be looking at us like we are something to eat.

The house the music is coming from is one of the more up-kept houses on the street. There are guys in pool chairs lounging in the front yard, a few blow up palm trees surrounding them.

“Ooh, hot damn.” One guy says, looking in our direction.

“Bristol, I didn’t expect to see you again.” I look blankly at him; his face doesn’t ring a bell.

“I’m a sucker for punishment, what can I say.” He laughs like we just shared a joke between old friends. Situations like these just reiterate the need to try unlocking some of these damn memories. A loud rumble comes from down the street, the vibrations rattling my rib cage. It’s an old muscle car and it doesn't take a genius to figure out who it is.

“Hey, can you watch my friend while I go get us something to drink?” I ask the guys sitting in front of us.

Chloe shrinks back and looks mortified.

I lean into her side and whisper in her ear. “Chev will be here in about two minutes, remember laugh and I will be right back.” I look over at the guy standing near us, he looks nice enough.

“How about I give her a drink and you go find boss man. I’m not sure if he will be happy or pissed you are here.” He counters back.

He hands Chloe an unopened cruiser from his cooler. “Name’s Mossy.” He starts introducing her to the others in the circle. I take the steps of the house one at a time, my heart thrumming in my chest. The front door is open and rap music blasts through the house. It sounds like it might be Eminem but I’m too focused on finding the guy from my flashbacks, I’m almost positive he is here.

I push past a few burly looking guys, all too old for this to be a high school party. A large crowd is gathered around a table intently watching what is happening, but there’s too many to figure out what is going on. I push myself in closer and it seems to be a group of guys playing poker. What a weird party. I can’t believe the me I used to be would come to a place like this. Something doesn’t fit.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the rich bitch greeting us with her presence.”

Before I can stop them, words are spilling from my mouth. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the boy from the wrong side of the tracks.” His face lights up from across the table. It’s the guy from my flashbacks and despite the chain hanging around his neck and the white wife beater he is wearing, he is gorgeous. He could pass as the love child of Johnny Deep and Leonardo DiCaprio, his perfect jaw and sparkling blue eyes. Just looking at him takes my breath away and now I know why the old me came all this way.

“I’m out guys.” He says throwing down his hand and standing from the table. He stalks towards me like I’m his prey. “I didn’t think I would see you again.” I decide to go with some truth and see where it gets me.

“Well after being beaten within an inch of my life and losing my memory, I had flashes of your face.” He looks pained at my admission and like what I have said makes no sense. “I was hoping for some blanks to be filled in.” He grabs my arm and leads me into a room, flicking the light on before shutting the door behind us.

“Sit.” He orders, pointing to the bed. “I don’t know if you remember but my name is Echo. As for information, I don’t know how much I can tell you without putting you at more risk. Do you know what your father does?” I nod and shrug my shoulders at the same time. I may not know the specifics but I have a decent idea anyway.

“Well I work for his brother, your uncle. We had a thing, it was very casual since you’re too young for me. Your boyfriend wasn’t happy when he found out.”

I roll my eyes. “Ugh, he is a dick from what I can tell anyway.”

“Real dick. He told me to stay away from you or else, then you vanished after telling me you didn’t want me anymore. Honestly I figured the dick convinced you to stay away.”

“Maybe he did, I’m not really sure. I went to a psych hospital for months but all I remember is waking up with no memory and trying to piece together what happened. I was hoping…”

“That I was a thug and the one who beat you up?”

“Maybe. It beats thinking that it could have been my family or boyfriend, but I don’t know.” I sigh, irritated that this just isn’t getting me any closer to the answers I need.

“I doubt it would be your father, he wants to kill me for touching you and that was the appeal for both of us. You wanted his attention and I like pissing people off and so does your uncle. But he loves you like crazy, they both do.”

“I wish I knew why I went to the psych hospital.” I place my head in my hands.

“Around the time you vanished there were some turf wars so to speak and your family had a few casualties. You may not have been able to cope with that.”

“Who died?” I ask, dread lacing my tone.

“Your brother.” He says and I look at him as if he is crazy.

“Carter?”

“No, Milo. You two were close but he didn’t get along with your parents. I still doubt your father would have had him killed though.”

“And how would I find my uncle?” I ask as Echo takes a seat beside me.

“The same way people find your father, they don’t.” He laughs but I don’t get it.

“Men like them find you. But I will tell him you want to talk.”

“Thanks Echo, at least I have some more pieces to add to the other shards that have been thrown at me.”

“You’re welcome. You seem different by the way, in a good way of course.”

“I am. I refuse to be that girl anymore. Now I need to go check on my friend, she is with some guy named Mossy and hope she is okay.” He stands and holds out his hand to help me up.

“She’s in good hands, Mossy is good people. If you ever need anything just holler. I will always have a soft spot for you, once you turn eighteen if you want to start where we left off you know where to find me.”

“Thanks, but I’m happy with what’s waiting for me at home.” His face drops as he turns heading for the door.

“Not that douche?” He asks, opening the bedroom door.

“No way. I plan to ditch that idiot as soon as I figure out what the hell happened to me.” I brush his shoulder as I walk past him and out the door.

“Good, you deserve good things B.” He walks me outside where there is a standoff happening. I race over to Chloe who has her finger pointed at Chev, even though she looks a bit wobbly on her feet, she is standing her ground. There is no way she had enough time to get herself white girl wasted.

“You!” Chev seethes pointing at me. “How could you leave her alone to get wasted?”

“She isn’t my keeper.” She slurs. Mossy grabs her by the waist and steadies her. “And neither isss you, you didn’t want me!”

“Just let me take you home.” Chev pleads. I can see he is being sincere for once. “And you stay the hell away from her or else!” He throws at me. Echo steps up, blocking his view of me. Him and Chev are now chest to chest.

“I suggest you change your tone and step down.” Echo spits. “B is my people and if you have an issue with her, you have an issue with me.”

“Fine, but if she hurts my sister, we will have problems.” Both guys share one last glare and back down. I race around Echo and pull Chloe away. She grabs a half empty bottle of vodka sitting on the ground and laughs at herself when she almost trips us both over. That explains how she got herself wasted so fast.

“Where are your keys?” I ask and she dangles them in front of me before dropping them in my outstretched hand.

“You were right. Chev was so jealous when I sat in Mossy’s lap. He freaked, his face was priceless.”

“You deserve a guy that wants you and will treat you right Chloe. Chev really wouldn’t be a good fit.” I lean her against her car while I get the passenger door open.

“That’s easy for you when guys throw themselves at you.” I ignore her comment, angling her so she is half in the car, and she slips herself in. “I’m not ready to go home. Chev will find me, and I don’t want to face him after the things I said. Oh god he knows I like him now.” She flops her head into her own lap, the girl looks freakishly flexible.

“I’m kind of glad you said that, but listen, I kind of have somewhere I need to go and it’s a bit of a drive.”

“Go wherever, I have a full tank of fuel and nothing better to do, nerd remember.”

“I need to use your phone, I have to turn mine off in a minute.” She throws her phone at me, a little harder than I was expecting, and I fumble with it until it lands in my lap. She groans and takes a sip from her bottle of straight vodka, she is definitely going to regret that tomorrow. I flick a text to Clarissa telling her we are heading home, and my phone is about to die. Next I snapchat Mac, I know if I message the guys they may flip out. I tell him to round up the guys but not tell them why, and to meet at Rory’s. I put Rory’s address in Chloe’s maps. His house is only two hours from here. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing the guys. After seeing Mercer this weekend, I knew I couldn’t stay away when the words I said to him were like acid on my tongue. Chloe turns the radio on and starts to sing along to the song that’s playing. I think she needed to let her hair down, maybe as much as I need to go back to where JD was born and Bristol died. I need a way to see them and Chloe is that key.