Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 147545 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 738(@200wpm)___ 590(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147545 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 738(@200wpm)___ 590(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
Coming to this party was probably a mistake.
I agreed because Tor asked me to, and it seemed like it would ease his mom’s mind if I came, but she’s busy sprinkling her witch dust across far too many people today, and I have no one.
To make matters even worse, Nina shows up.
It should have occurred to me that she would be invited, but it didn’t. She was one of Tim’s friends, and all his old friends are here, just like they would be if he were still alive. Several of the guys who helped move me out of my mom’s house have been lighting off fireworks “in Tim’s honor” in the backyard.
I hate this party.
If I had any doubt that the party also hates me, it would dissolve when I overhear Nina talking to one of her friends, a girl who was at the party last summer as well but not on the boat with us.
“It’s so weird that she’s here,” Nina says, and I know instantly she’s talking about me.
“Right?” Kyra agrees. “I can’t believe he brought her, of all people. Like, it’s genuinely shocking.”
“It’s disrespectful is what it is,” Nina states. “I know Tor tends to do his own thing more than Tim did, but this is just too far. Someone needs to save that man from himself. He’s clearly thinking with his dick and not even considering how bad this looks.”
“But I don’t get it. Like, yeah, she’s pretty, but so are other girls, and practically any girl here would give him the same thing and be so much less trouble. I know I would. Why would he even want to sleep with her? She literally got his brother killed.”
“Girl, don’t ask me to explain these men. Tim liked her psycho little ass for a minute, too. You’d really think Tor would have learned from his brother’s mistakes.”
Kyra sighs, shaking her head. “Men are so dumb.”
“So dumb,” Nina agrees. Then, after a beat, she continues, “He has the sexiest smile, though, doesn’t he? Just that little hint of trouble.” She does her signature sultry-eyed nose wrinkle. “He has a darkness about him that Tim didn’t have. It’s sexy as hell. I bet he’s good in bed.”
“His eyes are what get me. He and Tim both have such pretty eyes.”
“Mm-hmm,” Nina murmurs in agreement. “They got ’em honest. Where is my future father-in-law?” she asks lightly, looking around. “I haven’t said hi to him yet. Tim’s dad has always loved me.” She must spot him because she does her flirty little smile and wave combo. “Hi, Mr. Walters.”
“I miss Tim,” Kyra says sadly. “It’s so fucked that he’s not with us today.”
“Yeah, you can thank Tor’s crazy-ass girlfriend for that. Let’s go say hi.”
My stomach is in knots by the time Nina and Kyra drift out of earshot, but I definitely heard enough.
You never get used to hearing people talk about you like that.
Or, if you do, it must take longer than a year.
Sighing, I decide to get myself some lemonade and a plate of food and hide out somewhere for a while. I debate briefly just going back to my apartment. If I left now and came back for the fireworks, Tor might not even notice.
I can’t find a spot away from people where I don’t catch an odd stare, so in a move that brings me right back to senior year of high school, I decide to hide out in my car and eat.
It’s not so bad. I turn on the air-conditioning to cool off and scroll on my phone a bit. I tell myself this time next year, Tor and I will have new friends in a new city and we won’t have to come home to parties like this.
I don’t know if it’s true, though.
Our future is a question mark. I don’t know if Tor plans to come back for the summers. Maybe I should have asked him.
Sunset finally approaches, and that means fireworks should be starting soon. A lot of people have already set up blankets on the lawn in the backyard, but Tor mentioned earlier that we’d take the boat out on the lake and at least enjoy the fireworks together. I’ve been looking forward to it all day.
I go looking for him before it gets dark. I search the yard and the back deck. He’s definitely not in the pool. I wander inside the house, thinking maybe he needed to refill something or he’s taking an air-conditioning break since it’s so hot today, but when I close the sliding glass door and turn, it’s not Tor I come face-to-face with.
It’s Nina.
“Looking for Tor?” she asks with taunting innocence that makes my heart drop. “I noticed he’s been dodging you all night. Probably realized letting you come was a huge mistake. Enjoy your fifteen minutes, babe. They’ll be over before you know it.”