Summer

Chapter 26

I didn't need to persuade Cassie to leave the party; she saw it in my eyes that I needed to get the F out of there.

Kyle ended up staying and one of his teammates promised Cassie that he'd make sure Kyle got home safely.

When Cassie turns the car radio down, I know that it's only a matter of seconds until she begins her interrogation.

5, 4, 3, 2...

"What did I tell you, huh?" She asks, but all I do is tilt my head against the window of her Range Rover. "What?"

"Cass, I'm really not in the mood right now," I say, but that doesn't stop her.

"I told you to stay away from Noah Collins. And, you promised me. You promised me that day on the beach, Fee. You know why I made you do that? Because I knew this was going to happen. A new week for Noah means a new girl to fuck." The last word makes me squirm in my seat. I don't want to hear anymore. "I know that you're trying to build him up to be this amazing guy who can give you what you want, but I'm telling you, Fee, he can't. I know that you don't want to hear it, but it's the truth, and I'm not going to lie to you. I just...I don't get it. What changed? A week ago, you couldn't stand the guy. Now, all you want to do is stand next to him."

"I know, I know, Cass," I brush her off and say. "I guess I just needed to see it with my own eyes."

"Well, you saw it. So, please tell me that you're done with him."

"I am," I assure her. "Seriously. I'm done."

The sincerity in my voice gets her to half-smile, and, a few minutes later, we're pulling into my driveway. Cassie enters the code that opens the iron gate before coming to a stop.

"Thanks for the ride," I tell her.

"No problem," she smiles. "Tell dumb and dumber I say hi."

"I will," I weakly chuckle. But before I get out, she stops me.

"Hey," she pauses as she looks at me. "You good?"

All I do is nod. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Night, Cass."

I make my way to the front of the house and dig into my purse for the house keys. But I stop fidgeting once I notice Liam standing outside.

"It's late," he states. It's really not that late. I checked my phone before we left the party and it said a quarter past 12. It's no use in arguing with him though, so I simply nod and say 'goodnight' as I stride past him. His arms remain crossed and I know that he's angry; I just don't care.

I slip into bed once I'm done with my nightly routine, but I'm not tired so I reach for my journal on my nightstand and begin to write. Before my pen can hit the page, I hear my cell buzz.

Caller ID: Noah

I let it ring a few times before picking up. "Hello," I skeptically say into the speaker.

"Fee, it's Justin. I stole Noah's phone. I'm sorry to bother you. I know it's late, but, uh...," he pauses, and I can hear muffling sounds in the background. "Quiet, man, I'm on the phone with Fee," Justin says to whoever's standing next to him. He shifts his attention back to me. "Sorry, Fee. Um, where are you?"

"Home," I answer, my curious tone still in place. Why doesn't this sound good?

"Right, right. Any chance you can sneak out for a little?"

"Everything okay?" I ask, even though his quavering voice tells me otherwise. This involves Noah, I just know it.

"Yeah, no, everything's fine. I just need you to come back to my place."

I remain silent for a few seconds as I think about what to do.

"Okay," I finally give in. "Give me 20 minutes."