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“He snuck out, didn’t he?”

I nodded my head before turning to Gracie.

“Forget about it,” I said. “Let’s go make a snack. Hickory Sticks will not hold us until dinner.”

Her grin cracked her face before she rushed down the stairs. She was so fast I’m surprised she didn’t face plant.

Before I locked Asher’s room, I surveyed it one last time. I put the key back where I got it and rushed to join Gracie.

I had to cover for him once again.

??

7

“Hello there, the Angel from my nightmare.”

I Miss You, blink-182

Sawyer

I’d always had the sense that I didn’t belong. Anywhere. I was never the pretty, confident girl that everyone fought to sit with during lunch. I was always the quirky outsider. So, it’s understandable why they never invited me to parties.

And now, I’m being invited by the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen. Is it a date? Or was he just asking me because he felt sorry for me? Noah had already made friends with the entire hockey team and climbed to the top of the social ladder in two weeks.

At least I have Stella.

I must have tried on every outfit in my wardrobe, but nothing seemed appealing to me. As the time to leave drew near, I resigned myself to wearing the sweater and jeans I already had on. Is that party appropriate?

Noah knocked on my open door. I looked at his reflection in the mirror.

“Josh is waiting for us.”

I smoothed out the invisible wrinkles in my outfit before following Noah outside. He was leaning against his truck. His left hand was holding onto his right bicep as he glanced at his phone. He tucked it away and stood up straight as soon as he noticed us.

I observed how the veins traced down his arm to his hands. His black t-shirt had the words Marshtown Manatees on it, but I was more focused on how attractive he looked in it.

Just as I was about to start a conversation, Asher’s head popped through the back door. A few strands of hair got stuck in his eyelashes, but he didn’t move it.

“Ms. Bennet, is Mr. Darcy aware you’re coming?”

He said it as if he was a character in the book. His head darted around, searching for someone. I rolled my eyes.

“Funny.”

“Thanks, I thought so.” He scooted over and patted the seat beside him. “I saved you a seat. How about we braid each other’s hair while we’re at it?”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one annoyed by his patronizing attitude, because Josh stepped in.

“That’s enough, Asher.”

The dirty blonde folded his arms across his chest and slouched in the seat like an out-of-control toddler.

It was only when I entered the backseat that I understood why he was so snappy. The stench of alcohol invaded my nostrils, and he struggled to keep his eyes open.

“Is he drunk?” I asked once Josh got in.

“I found him like this in the backyard.” He said. “Mom and Dad are home, so I couldn’t leave him inside.”