After the Ink [PUBLISHED]

Chapter Twenty-Two

Saturday morning, my aunt wakes me up at seven o'clock to take me to Reece's house. Yesterday he'd given me a note with his mom's number so my aunt could call her and get all the details for this weekend. My aunt thinks it will be a good weekend for me, despite my efforts to make her see why I don't want to be around Dylan and Kay.

I do some last-minute packing before we're off to Reece's. It's another makeup free day, as I can't be bothered to look decent. I'm also blowing my nose constantly, so makeup would've wiped off anyway.

It's freezing, but the snow hasn't stuck in town. I made sure to pack for snowy weather at the cabin which is in the mountains. It's bound to be snowing up there.

While driving my aunt speaks up. "Try to have fun this weekend. I don't know what Dylan did to make you not want to go, but I'm glad you're going."

She's sort of forcing me to go, but I don't say that. "It isn't his fault."

"Don't let his girlfriend get to you either."

"She's a pain, but I'm not trying to fight her over Dylan."

She gives me a knowing smile. "You're mom would like that answer."

Reece's house is in a neighborhood not far from my apartment. The houses all look the same and they aren't particularly big. I'm not sure why I was expecting something like Dylan's house.

There are a few vehicles in the driveway. I don't see Kay's car, or Dylan's, so I hope I beat them there.

My aunt rings the doorbell and the anxious feeling I woke up with rises in my chest and I clutch my duffel bag closer to myself. The door swings open and we come face-to-face with a blonde woman with short curly hair. She smiles at us.

"Good morning, girls," she greets us. "Come inside before you freeze."

We step inside and I can see Reece, Jared, Derrick, and Casey standing in the kitchen area.

"I'm Jade, we spoke on the phone yesterday," my aunt holds out her hand.

"Delilah." The blonde woman takes her hand before looking at me. "And that must make you Lacey," she continues to smile. She's a morning person also. "I'm so glad you're here."

They continue to talk about the trip while I wander away to everyone else. Casey hugs me instantly.

"Thank God you're here," she says. "If I have to listen to Reece say it's his birthday one more time, he won't actually make it to his birthday."

Reece laughs. "It's my birthday, be nice to me."

"It's literally not until Monday!"

Derrick stands next to me and flashes me a smile. "You ready to party with the big kids?"

"Sure," I nod, even though I feel ready to blow my brain out of my nose. "Speaking of kids, how is Ethan going to survive the night without you and Dylan?"

He waves it off. "He's staying at his friend's house. He's not going to miss us, trust me."

My mind goes to the time Dylan texted me to tell me Ethan and his friends had taken over the house. No doubt they're going to cause chaos at another over the weekend. They're like savage little kids.

My aunt comes up to me and smiles. "I'm taking off. You sure you have everything?"

"If she doesn't, I probably have it," Casey answers for me as she puts her arm around my shoulders.

"You girls have fun. Just not too much fun," she hugs me.

We say our goodbyes and my aunt heads for the door. I turn back to the guys, and all three of them are watching her leave.