Page 45 of Inked Heart
Chapter Twelve
The Party
Quinn
If someone had asked me this morning how my night was going to end, I probably would have said something simple.Dinner, maybe a movie.A normal evening with my boyfriend.
Instead, I’m standing in the middle of a crowded house party wondering if my entire relationship has been one giant lie.But I’m getting ahead of myself.
It started the way most bad ideas do, with a text message.I’m sitting on the couch in my living room flipping through a baking magazine when my phone buzzes.
Emette:Party at Mason’s tonight.You should come.
I stare at the message for a moment.Emette isn’t exactly what I’d call a party person these days.Back in high school?Sure.He was practically the king of that scene but lately he usually prefers quieter nights.Which is why this text surprises me.But maybe it’s a good sign.Maybe things are getting back to normal.Maybe the weird tension that’s been hanging between us lately will finally disappear.
I type a reply.
Me:What time?
The answer comes almost immediately.
Emette:Nine.
I glance at the clock on the wall.It’s 8:15 right now, so I guess I better get moving.
****
Thirty minutes laterI’m standing in front of my bedroom mirror trying to convince myself that tonight is going to be fun.The outfit is simple.Black jeans with a soft white top and my favorite boots.
Nothing too fancy.Nothing too casual.Just enough effort to look nice without looking like I tried too hard.Which, apparently, is a delicate balance in my relationship lately.
I run a brush through my hair one last time and grab my keys.Tonight will be good.It has to be.
I grab my car keys and get in my car.I breathe deeply and start the engine.Mason’s house sits just outside town where the roads get a little darker and the houses a little farther apart.
Even before I pull into the driveway, I can hear the music.Bass thumping through the night air, voices, laughter, and the unmistakable chaos of a house party.
I park along the side of the road and step out of the car.The warm summer air smells faintly like beer, weed, and bonfires.Inside the house the music is loud enough to rattle the windows.
I push the door open and step into the crowd and immediately the noise wraps around me.People are dancing.People are shouting over the music.People are holding red plastic cups like they’re part of the dress code.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to a party like this and for a moment I feel slightly out of place.But then I spot him.
Emette stands near the kitchen talking to a group of guys and relief washes through me.I start moving toward him but before I get halfway across the room someone grabs my arm.
“Quinn!”
I turn and see Jessica, an old friend from high school.She pulls me into a quick hug.
“Girl, I haven’t seen you in forever!”
“Hi,” I laugh.“How are you?”
“Good.”She is loud and happy, and I can see her sway.
“You look amazing.”
“So do you.”
