Hypnotized by Lacey Wolfe Read Free Book Online Page B

“Want to go stay with Granny for a few days?”
    Nate’s eyes got wide as he nodded.
    “I’m gonna call her. Give me a few.”
    He wandered back to the living room. I could use a visit with Granny as well. She was always more of a mother than mine ever was.

 
     

     
    The party was well underway. Thankfully Kristy stuck to her word and kept it low key. There probably weren’t many more than twenty people here—which made my new place feel incredibly small.
    Evan had brought a keg, so alcohol was plentiful among my guests. I laughed as the song Red Solo Cup came to mind. Everyone held one in their hands.
    “Maybe I should hand everyone a box to put away.” I leaned against the wall and sipped my drink.
    “We’ll do it first thing tomorrow. Promise.” Kristy glanced around.
    Evan and Pete stood in the center of the living, chatting with two girls I’d never met before. Pete had yet to find his toy for the night. I hoped he didn’t find one. I didn’t want him getting nasty in my place.
    Evan must’ve sensed me looking at him. He excused himself and came my way.
    He tilted his head back and finished his drink. “We need more people here, or else people might start leaving soon. You sure no one can smoke in here?”
    I knew my eyes were wide. “Yes, Evan, I’m sure.”
    “It’s just, you’re kinda making a reputation for yourself as uptight.” He laid a hand on my shoulder, as though that was going to make what he’d just said any better.
    “I couldn’t care less what those two girls think of me. I don’t even know them.” I paused to glance around, amazed by how few people I did know. This was supposed to be friends of mine hanging out to celebrate my new place and saying goodbye to Kristy; instead, it was Pete’s gang. A new sense of courage emerged from inside me. “Aside from the folks Kristy invited, I don’t know any of the ones you did. This is a going away party for Kristy and a moving in party for me. I don’t even know the people you brought. You should’ve been more considerate.”
    Evan rubbed my shoulder, obviously trying to calm me, but it wasn’t working. “I’m just trying to help.”
    “I don’t recall asking for it. Next time, run it through me before you bring along those type of people.”
    “Jeez, chill.”
    I strode with heavy steps into the kitchen to dump out the water I had and fill my cup with beer. I was home. I could drink if I wanted. Obviously, in order to be a cool adult and not a prude, I needed to drink alcohol.
    As I came out of the kitchen and back to the crowd of people I’d never seen before, I heard Evan. “Why are you here?”
    I already knew who it was, and I wasn’t going to have him treat my guest that way. “Evan!”
    He spun to look at me, but my gaze was on Gabe. “Did you invite him?”
    Breaking my connection with Gabe, I turned to Evan, crossing my arms. “Yes. It’s my place, my party, and I invited him.”
    Pete approached us, his eyes on Gabe. “What’s up, Cherry Popper.”
    “What did you call me?” Gabe asked, cocking an eyebrow.
    I reached out and wrapped a hand around his wrist. “Come on.”
    Thankfully, he let me pull him away from Evan and Pete. However, Pete let his disapproval known loudly. “This party is lame. Let’s take it back to my place.”
    Several people nodded, setting their cups down. I stared at Evan, hurt by how he was treating me. He glanced back at me, and it almost seemed like he was torn on what to do. When his eyes saw my hand still holding on to Gabe, he shook his head and went out the door like half the other people. All that was left now were the ones Kristy had invited that we both knew.
    “Shit. This didn’t go well.” Kristy came over. “Gabe, right?”
    “Yup.”
    “They really don’t like you.” She grinned before she continued, “I’m gonna miss seeing how this unfolds.”
    “Consider yourself lucky,” I said, hating the way things were turning out. Since graduation, my whole