Page 35 of Chasing Callie

“Nope, not happening,” Aspen says quickly, grabbing my elbow and steering me in the opposite direction. “Let’s check out the dock. I heard they’ve got a cooler with those fruity seltzers Lily likes.”

“What is she doing here?” I hiss, though I already know the answer. It’s Big Ridge. If there’s a party, everyone in town knows about it, and almost everyone in town attends.

“Okay, take a breath.” Lily falls into step beside us. “I really don’t want to bail you out of jail for assault and I told your mom we wouldn’t fight.”

Assault? Ha. I could kill Penelope. Okay, not really, but I’ve murdered her a dozen different ways ever since Knox told me she was the one who posted the video. The tension between my shoulder blades grows with each step. I take another gulp of beer, willing the alcohol to work faster. I came home to escape one nightmare; I’m not about to let another one ruin my night.

“I’m going to need something stronger than this,” I mutter, tipping my half-empty can toward the lake as if toasting it. “Much, much stronger.”

Aspen squeezes my arm. “One drink at a time, Cal. We’ve got all night.”

I drink the rest of my beer and crumple the can in my fist. I wonder what sound it would make if I launched it at Penelope’s head. Shit, okay. Maybe Lily is right. Breathing in, I try to let all the frustration go. The night stretches ahead of us, full of potential for disaster or redemption. There’s no telling which one I’ll choose once the buzz kicks in.

The cool lake water is incredible against my heated skin as I splash around with Aspen and Lily. The beers have me feeling loose and carefree and my body is warm from the alcohol. I’m properly buzzed and I’m loving it. I’ve missed this so much.

“Remember when the principal’s car got egged senior year?” Lily giggles, her red hair plastered against her freckled face.

Aspen snorts. “How could I forget? Showalter nearly had a stroke when he saw it.”

I bite my lip, the memory flooding back in vivid detail. Knox was driving while Brax and Jax took lookout positions as I unloaded a whole carton of eggs on Mr. Showalter’s pristine BMW. “That was me,” I confess, unable to stop the laughter bubbling up. “Me and the guys.”

My friends’ jaws drop in sync.

“No way!” Aspen gasps, splashing me. “You’re lying!”

“I’m not!” I protest, wiping water from my eyes. “Showalter gave Knox detention for a week for cheating off Penelope’s test, which is ridiculous because Knox was smarter than her anyway. So we decided to get revenge.”

Lily’s green eyes widen. “What else did you do?”

Biting my lip, I glance away, not quite ready to reveal the depth of my and the Williams brothers’ depravity. Breaking and entering is definitely illegal.

“Did you guys put his heart boxers up the flagpole too?”

I shrug, failing to hide my smirk. “I can neither confirm nor deny that.”

“You’re my hero,” Aspen says, dropping her hand on her forehead and pretending to swoon.

The memories feel good. Bittersweet, but good.

“Knox!” a deep voice shouts from the shoreline, cutting through our laughter.

My head snaps up, eyes scanning the beach until they collide with his. Time freezes as Knox stares back at me, and for a moment, everything fades until all that’s left is that familiar connection between us and the thudding of my heart. His expression shifts from surprise to something different as he holds my stare. I can’t describe what his attention feels like other than hungry and greedy all at the same time. Like if he had it his way, he’d march into the water and toss me over his shoulder so he could carry me back to his cave.

“Holy tension,” Lil whispers to Aspen.

The moment breaks, and I can breathe again. Jax and Brax stand beside their brother, all three of them eerily still as they take me in. My throat closes up, the beer in my system suddenly not enough to face this moment. The intensity of their gazes are like a magnet drawing me in, and if I’m not careful, I’ll find myself right back in the middle of them.

Would that be so bad?

“Do you want to leave?” Lily asks quietly, her hand finding mine under the water.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to breathe. The need to put distance between myself and them overwhelms me. Especially Knox. After our confrontation earlier, I’m not ready to face him again. I’m still not sure how to deal with everything he shared. “No. Let’s go to the house.”

We wade through the water toward the shore, deliberately angling away from where the brothers stand. I scan the beach, relieved to see Penelope is nowhere in sight. Small mercies.

“Callie!” Jax calls, his voice carrying across the sand.

I pretend not to hear him, pretend my chest doesn’t ache. They’re still standing near the only path that leads to the house. We’re almost past them, almost safe, but then Knox steps sideways, deliberately positioning himself so our arms brush as I pass.