The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 27- The Barbecue

The ride there is slightly uncomfortable; mostly because I know both Ashton and Luke are still worried about the conversation they interrupted. My mom has tried to call me back several times, so I finally just turn off my phone.

"So, Steph," Calum says from beside me, pulling me out of my thoughts, "our friend Robby is hosting this at his parents' house. It's where we used to all hang out back at school."

I nod my head. "So it'll just be a bunch of your schoolmates?"

"Yeah, maybe a few parents too," Michael says from the front seat.

We pull up in front of a nice house a few minutes later. When we get out, I can hear laughter and splashing from the backyard. The guys don't bother to approach the front door; rather, they walk around the side to the back gate. I follow suit, and soon we're entering a party already in full swing.

"Wow, that's a lot of people," I say as we step through the gate. There must be twenty people my age in and around the pool along with some younger kids and a pod of about twelve parents lounging over by the grill.

"Lads!" a dude in the middle of the pool with a rubber duck floatie calls to us. Well, calls to the guys.

"Robby!" Calum says enthusiastically, walking forward, deeper into the party. I start to panic when the other boys begin following. Then I feel a slight pressure on my elbow.

"Don't freak out. I wont leave you alone," Luke whispers over my shoulder.

I stay practically glued to his side as we approach the pool. Ashton and Calum already have their shirts off and are poised to jump in.

"Won't they be cold?" I ask Luke. I mean, with the sun out, it's pleasant outside, but surely the water is still cold. It is the beginnings of winter over here.

"Robby's parents are a bit loaded. They heat the pool every June and throw this big barbecue. It's sort of a tradition. Aussies have a hard time going too long without a proper barbecue," he explains.

I chuckle and shake my head. "Well, I didn't bring a swimsuit. Sorry, I didn't know." I glance over to see that Michael isn't getting in the water, but has made his way over to the food table and is chatting with a few friends. "I can go hang out with Mikey for a bit if you want to get in."

"Nah, it's okay. I'm hungry anyway."

I shrug and follow him in the direction of the food. But then he stops dead in his tracks, and I practically slam into his back.

"What the—"

But before I can get the rest of my question out, Luke's hand reaches over and snatches mine. He intertwines our fingers and pulls me up alongside him.

"What are you doing?" I ask, looking up at him. Didn't we just talk about boundaries like twelve hours ago? He gives me a pleading look.

"Remember how you owe me one from telling your friend about my boxers?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm cashing in." His head snaps around when a girl calls his name. "Please, just go with it," he mutters before stepping forward and pulling me along with him.

I let him drag me a few more steps to a group of people sitting at a patio table. I glance around quickly, but I am still very confused by Luke's sudden behavior. His grip doesn't relax on my hand.

"Allie," he says, gaining my undivided attention, "good to see you."

I follow his gaze to a pretty blonde girl sitting at the table with a wide smile on her face.