You’re acting like you’ve never had a party before.
It’s just that I don’t know what to expect.
Do you think Blake will show?
Hard to say.
Other than saying hi before class, we haven’t talked since Tuesday. I’ve caught him looking at me in class and at lunch, and I haven’t stopped secretly staring at him, but I have no idea if he’s planning to come. Part of me is scared that he will. I’m still not recovered from the first time he broke my heart and I’m not sure I can go through that a second time.
You still have his number?
Have you ever known me to throw anything away?
Text him.
What if he doesn’t reply?
There’s a beat before Sophia replies. Then at least you know.
I lean back on my bed and sigh. At least Amber said she’s coming. I’m not sure how she’ll get along with the Snow Bunnies, but she’s the most normal person I know here and I’ll need that if I’m going to get through tonight.
I gotta run. Jake’s picking me up soon.
Ooooooohhhhh. Have fun! xoxo
I stare at the ceiling for another minute before rolling off the bed and trudging downstairs. Dad helped me clean during the week and I’ve already put out chips and cookies, so there isn’t much to do except watch the hands on the living room clock crawl in a circle.
My phone dings at five after seven.
I’m here.
I fling open the front door, expelling a rush of air. Amber’s standing on the porch next to a girl with long dark hair but I can’t stop staring at Amber. I’ve never seen her without a hat or her helmet and I didn’t expect a mass of red curls.
“Your hair is gorgeous!”
Amber blushes and hooks a thumb at her friend. “This is Bethany. Are we the first ones here?”
I’m half a foot taller than them but I’m too relieved to worry about looking like the Jolly Green Giant. “Yeah, but I’m glad. I’ve worn the varnish off the floors waiting for people to show up.” I step aside and they follow me into the foyer. We stop in the kitchen and I point at the fridge. “Help yourselves.” They each grab a can of soda and I lead them to the living room. “Now we have time to catch up. We haven’t talked since last week.”
Bethany nudges Amber but doesn’t say anything.
“Or do you want a tour?”
Amber cracks open the can and sips the fizzies off the top. “Sure.”
I lead them through the kitchen, across the living room, and down a hallway. “My dad’s office is down here. He ran out to pick up some food but he’ll be back soon.” The door’s open a crack, allowing a glimpse of his battered wooden desk and shelves filled with books.
Bethany peeks through the opening. “He must read a lot.”
“More like drinks a lot.”
Uncertainty darkens their faces and I realize I never told Amber what he does.
“He’s a brewer. Most of those are beer cookbooks, plus more History of Beer books than any one person should really own.”
Bethany smiles. “My dad’s an accountant. His books would make your eyes bleed.”
Amber laughs as I close the door. The click of the latch catching echoes in the empty hallway. “You said you moved here for his job. I take it Boulder will have another brewery soon?”
I lead them to the stairs. “Yep. Calliope Brewery is ours.”
“Ooh, the purple one?”
Amber rolls her eyes at Bethany.
Bethany laughs. “What? I like purple.”
I step into my room and wave an arm at the purple bedspread and curtains. “Me too.”
Amber laughs. “I didn’t take you for a girly girl.”
“I’ve got to balance aerial maneuvers with something more feminine. I don’t do dresses, so purple is it.”
Amber studies me for a beat, then she smiles. “You skiing tomorrow?”
I smile back. “Is that really a question?” I nod at Bethany. “What about you?”
She laughs. “Let’s just say I’m Amber’s feminine balance.”
Amber shakes her head. “Your house is cool.”
I gaze at the plain white walls and beige carpet, longing for the archways and scuffed floors from Vermont. For the cinnamon and vanilla. For Mom. “It’s not home. This is a rental. Dad says we’ll look at houses once Calliope opens.”
The girls fall silent. I need to lighten up or people will leave before the party gets started. I could really use Sophia right now.
“Come on, let’s go back downstairs.”
We’ve barely settled onto the couch when the doorbell rings. I leave them in the living room and nerves propel me to the front door. I know Bri and the girls are coming, plus the guys, but beyond them I have no idea who to expect. I’ve met a lot of people but talking in the halls or saying hi in class is different than being in my house. Taking a deep breath, I yank the door open.
Dad smiles at me, his hands weighed down with plastic bags.
I exhale. “Why didn’t you come through the garage?”
He winks. “I know how much you hate the unexpected, so I thought I’d burst your anxiety bubble. Now get out of the way, these are heavy.”
A laugh rolls up my throat and my shoulders relax. I’m shutting the door when someone calls my name. I open it again.
Evan’s walking up the sidewalk, Reece and Austin a few steps back. He’s holding a small white box with a yellow ribbon. “This is for you.”
“You didn’t have to bring anything.”
His eyes crinkle as he smiles. “I know.”
I take the box and usher them inside. “Thanks. The girls aren’t here yet, but my friend from Eldora’s in the living room.”
Austin laughs. “Bri won’t be here for at least an hour.”
Panic chokes my throat. “But I don’t know half the people who are coming!”
Evan slides his arm over my shoulder as we enter the living room. “You’ll be fine.”
Amber stops talking, hand in the air, when she sees us.
I shrug off Evan’s arm. “Guys, this is Amber and Bethany. I met Amber at Eldora last month.”
Evan moves to the chair closest to where she’s sitting. “Snowboarder, right?”
She nods, uncertainty clear on her face.
Austin sits next to Bethany on the couch, eyes on Amber. “You’re the first chick I saw go inverted.”
Reece snorts. “I doubt that.”
“I mean on snow.”
I sink into the chair opposite Evan, leaving Reece standing in front of the coffee table. “And this is Austin and Reece.”
Reece continues. “You’ve probably done more on snow than most guys our age have—”
Austin cuts a glance at Bethany. “Dude, chill.”
Yeah, Reece is definitely just like Hunter. I lean back in the chair, letting their banter settle my nerves. This is the closest to home I’ve felt since moving here. Austin’s asking Bethany about her classes when my gaze lands on Evan. He’s talking to Amber, describing some kind of aerial move with his hands. His lips look fuller when he laughs and a small flutter stirs in my belly.
No. You’re not going there—for so many reasons—starting with Mike and ending with the fact that Blake will hopefully make an appearance.
But I can’t resist joining the conversation. I mean, I’m the host. It’d be rude not to talk to him.
I lean forward. “So Evan, how’s Dolly?”
He tilts his head, thinking, then a broad smile brightens his face. “I can’t believe I haven’t told you.”
All eyes are on him as I ask, “What?”
“Cooper knocked her up!”
My mouth falls open. “You’re not serious.”
“Totes.”
The girls’ heads swivel between us. “Who are Dolly and Cooper?” Amber asks.
I cover my face with my hands. It’s not like it’s my fault, but the fact that Evan and I were there during the deed feels strangely intimate.
“Dolly’s my hussy of a yellow Lab and Cooper’s the Basset Hound from across the street.”
“Omigod!” Bethany slaps a hand over her mouth, eyes wide.
“That’s how Cally and I met. She was chasing Cooper for the old lady across the street and—”
“And we practically got to third base before we said hello.”
Now all eyes are on me.
Evan holds up his hands. “Not like that. She ran so fast around the corner that we slammed into each other.” He looks at Reece. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Reece laughs. “Impossible.”
I smile at Evan. “I’ll have to tell Mrs. Sherman she’s gonna be a gramma. I usually see her when I’m out on my afternoon run.”
“Ask if she wants a puppy.”
Austin nudges Bethany with his shoulder. “You know what else is impossible? That I’ve never seen you at Eldora.”
She rolls her eyes, but a smile tugs at her mouth.
I laugh. “Barf.”
Reece looks at me. “Drinks are in the kitchen?”
I stand. “I’ll show you.”
Evan starts to get up but I wave him off. “I’ll grab stuff for everyone.”
Once in the kitchen, Reece leans against the counter. “So... you and Evan?”
I raise an eyebrow. “What, are we in seventh grade?”
He smiles. “He didn’t tell me to ask, I just see what I see.”
I grab sodas and set them next to him on the counter. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends who give friends presents?”
Oh yeah. I set the box on the table but never opened it. “Yes. Friends.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“No, seriously. And please don’t encourage him. I know—” I take a breath. I don’t want to betray Mike by telling Reece that she still likes Evan, but I need to put a stop to any rumors. “I know he and Mike dated and I don’t want to get in the middle of anything.”
A mischievous smile spreads across his face. “Sometimes that’s the best place to be.”
I snort. “Is that all you think about?”
“Pretty much.”
I laugh, and it feels good. Of all the guys here, Reece is the most like the guys back home. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The doorbell rings. I shove the cans into his arms but Brianna, Kenzie, and Mike are already walking through the foyer by the time I get to the door. A combination of excitement and dread rush through me. This party will be easier with them here, but I can’t shake the feeling that Bri has ulterior motives—beyond needing to fill a slot in her social calendar.
“Hey, lady.” Bri drops a kiss on my cheek as she breezes by, and Kenzie does the same.
Mike pauses next to me and rolls her eyes. “I must have missed the we’re-still-in-Europe memo.”
I laugh, and Bri turns around. “You coming?”
“Yes,” Mike and I say. We follow her into the living room, where the conversation has stopped. Amber’s eyes widen when she sees Brianna, and Austin shifts slightly away from Bethany.
Brianna pushes her shoulders back. She’s been in the room for two seconds and is already in control.
“You guys want something to drink?”
Brianna’s face lights up. “Can we sample your dad’s brew?”
“Uhh...” I scan their faces to gauge how many of them are going to pressure me for beer. “My dad’s upstairs so that’s probably not a good idea.”
She lifts a shoulder. “Just a sample. We’ll be done before he notices.”
I step forward, jaw clenched. “Not this time.”
An awkward silence hangs over the room and I’m on the verge of doing backflips to break the tension when Brianna narrows her gaze at Amber. “Do I know you?”
Amber sips her soda before answering. “Doubtful.”
Brianna’s eyes become slits. “So why are you here?”
Amber’s mouth falls open and I move next to Brianna. “We met at Eldora and I invited her. I didn’t realize I had to get my guest list approved.”
She lets out a huff of air. “I’m just trying to help you, Cally.”
Maybe Brianna’s the one I should have thought twice about inviting. I lock eyes with Amber and mouth sorry.
The doorbell rings again so I duck out of the room, hoping someone changes the topic. Before long the living room and kitchen are full and based on the noise level, everyone seems to be having a good time. Dad winds his way through a couple times to make his presence known, kisses the top of my head, then points at me and heads back upstairs.
Amber finds me in the kitchen. “I can’t believe you’re friends with those bitches.”
“Friend is a strong word.”
“They’re mean, boring, and terrible skiers. And with all that makeup they’re not even attractive, unless you’re into that kind of thing.”
“That’s a bit harsh.”
“But it’s true.” She crosses her arms, seeming more upset now than she did when Brianna made her introductions. “I didn’t figure you for a follower.”
I straighten my back. “I’m not! Mike is cool. And the guys are normal. It’s just Brianna and Kenzie...” I trail off and shake my head. She’s right. Since when do I let mean girls tell me what to do? “Being friends with guys is so much easier.”
“Not all girls are asswipes.”
A weak smile lifts the corner of my mouth. “I know. My friend Sophia from back home is amazing. We text all the time but it’s hard not having her around.”
Amber studies me for a moment, then nods toward the living room. “What does she think about them?”
I laugh. “She thinks I need to get my head out of my ass and not let them push me around.”
“See. You know how to pick good friends. Let’s call this momentary weakness because you’re at a new school. Could happen to anyone.”
I raise my soda to hers and we clink cans. “To not being a pansy pushover.”
She smiles, but it’s cut short by a huff in the doorway.
“Cally, you’re needed in here.” Brianna’s eyeing Amber like she’s a piece a gum on her shoe.
A rush of heat pushes me forward, but I stop after two steps. This is not the time for a confrontation with Brianna, no matter how badly she needs to be knocked down a few pegs. I swallow past the anger and force my voice to stay level. “What’s going on?”
She narrows her eyes. “In. Here.” Her gaze skates over Amber, dismissing her.
I lean against the counter. “Give me a few minutes.”
Brianna rolls her eyes and turns back to the living room. She murmurs, “hopeless,” over her shoulder.
“I’m leaving anyway.”
“Amber, don’t go.” I take a step toward her. “What happened to not letting her push me around?”
She lifts a shoulder. “What can I say? I’m a hypocrite.”
“Please stay.”
Her eyes soften and for a moment I think she’s considering it, but then her jaw clenches and she shakes her head. “I get enough crap from the mean girls at my school and blondie in there takes what they’ve got to a whole new level. This was fun but I have a thing about self-preservation.” She pulls out her phone and types a message.
“I’m sorry.”
She touches my arm. “Don’t apologize for them unless you become one of them.”
Her words hit me in the chest like a physical blow. I’ve barely been here a month and I’m somehow getting dragged into the bitchiest clique at school. This is not who I am.
Bethany appears in the doorway to the kitchen. “Ready?”
Amber nods. “Walk us out?”
“Sure.”
They follow me to the door, where I face Amber. “I wish you could’ve stayed longer.”
“Next time. Ten tomorrow?”
A smile spreads across my face, one that reaches my heart. Skiing fixes everything. “I’ll see you there.”
Bethany hugs my shoulders. “Thanks for inviting us.” She’s sweet, and I’m glad Amber has a friend like her. Amber hugs me, then I reach for the door.
It swings open and I freeze, mouth open.
Blake’s standing on the porch.