All In by Marta Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

answers Andrew before he turns his
attention back to me. “Would you like to join me?”
    Andrew shrugs. “Sorry, man, we have
dinner with the ‘rents tonight, but thanks for the invite,” he
says. “Oh hey, did you get out of there last night before the cops
showed up?”
    “Yeah, but your new friend didn’t fare
so well,” he says with an arrogant laugh.
    Andrew’s eyes narrow. “Dude, I’m not
sure what your deal is with him, but he’s cool. He’s going to Yale
in the fall, and I’m thinking he might just be Wolf material, so
lay off.”
    “You can’t be serious?” Gregory says
incredulously. “He’s not one of us.”
    “I’m totally serious. So stop and I
mean it.”
    I don’t know much about the Wolf’s
Head, it’s called a secret society for a reason, but I assume, by
the way Greg is suddenly silenced, Andrew must carry seniority. The
tension rolls off both of them until Andrew breaks the standoff by
taking a sip of his drink and smiling.
    “Well, I guess we’ll see
you at the bonfire tonight then?” Andrew asks his posture carefree
and casual again, making it clear he’s moving on from
whatever that just was.
    “Yeah, I’ll be there,” Gregory says
before leaving without another word, his fists balled up
tight.
    “Sometimes that guy…” I hear Andrew
say under his breath, taking the words right out of my
mouth.
    …
    The party is already in full swing
when we arrive. At least two dozen guys and girls mill around the
private beach while music plays softly and twinkle lights hang
above tables covered with catered hors d'oeuvres.
    I stare at the flames of the bonfire
while they flicker and dance, breaking through the dark with bright
oranges, yellows and reds. The popping and crackling can barely be
heard above the laughter of everyone surrounding the fire with
sunburned shoulders and smiles on their faces. Bonfire parties are
always my favorite.
    “Ashley!” A girl squeals. Hailey
Newhall, one of my closest girlfriends on the island, stands on the
other side of the fire enthusiastically waving me over.
    I smile as I make my way over to her,
excited to see her again too.
    “O.M.G. Ashley! How are you? I’ve
missed you so much!” Hailey throws her arms around my
neck.
    “I’m great, Hales, how are you? How’s
New York?”
    “Same as ever.” She waves the question
off, then without missing a beat, launches into her favorite
subject: Gregory Chase. “Have you seen him?” Hailey animatedly fans
her face with her hand. “So gorge.” A few girls standing around us
giggle in agreement.
    “Yeah, I’ve seen him a few times,” I
say, unwittingly gaining the attention of the Gregory Chase fan
club. Oops.
    “That’s what I heard. My mom said she
saw you two having lunch at the club yesterday and said you looked
‘quite cozy’ at the party last night. Her words, not mine. So? Are
you and he back together?” Hailey tries to act casual, but I can
tell she’s dying for the answer.
    I choke on the fruity cocktail I’m
sipping and have to cough to clear my throat. “No. Not at all. We
just had lunch…as friends.” A look of relief, and hope, washes over
Hailey’s face.
    “Really?” Hailey glances at the other
girls and then back to me.
    “Promise. And you know, Hales, if you
wanted to go out with him I wouldn’t be upset, I swear.” Who am I
to stop them? Just because he wasn’t right for me, doesn’t mean he
won’t be right for her. This elicits another hug from Hailey before
she and a girl I recognize from the club, but don’t know very well,
begin to jump up and down squealing with excitement. I can’t help
but laugh.
    All of a sudden, like Gregory can
sense a gaggle of girls fawning all over him, he saunters over,
drink in hand and a cocky smile on his face. It’s obvious he’s
already had a couple of drinks and is on the prowl.
    “How are all of you lovely ladies
doing this fine evening?” He drapes his arms around Hailey, and her
friend’s shoulders causing