Page 34 of HER SISTER

The Hollywood mansion was packed and buzzing with excitement and loud music.

The crowd of people occupying every level of the three-story glass house were decked out in unique costumes as they danced and drank the night away.

Damon laughed as he stood beside Arielle with his arm around her, "I'm starting to think you guys are glued together," he said as we all stood in the packed kitchen.

Mya only hugged me tighter, "We've just missed each other," she said, and I couldn't help but nod.

"Yeah, don't be mean, Damon," I joked, sticking up for Mya as Willow poured us all shots.

Everyone seemed to be here—Ryder, Arielle, Marco, Willow, Frankie, Damon, and Cam.

And even if we had only been here an hour, I seemingly found myself wondering where Mili was.

I texted her asking if she was here, but I haven't received a response yet.

The house is pretty big so she's probably wandering around here somewhere and hasn't checked her phone yet.

I just wish that I could ask Mya if she's heard from her without sounding suspicious.

"Shot o'clock!" Frankie called out, holding her shot glass up as we all followed suit.

I shook my head, knowing that this was my fourth shot and that I'd definitely need to be slowing down soon.

I scrunched up my nose as soon as I threw the shot back, feeling a burning sensation coat my throat as I drank my chaser.

"I wish Mili would hurry her ass up."

I unconsciously looked to Mya—a little quicker than I probably should've.

It's definitely the alcohol talking.

I need to chill.

"Where is she at?" I casually asked—or at least I hoped it sounded casual enough.

Arielle managed to briefly lock eyes with me, clearly knowing why I was asking about Mili's whereabouts.

Mya suddenly shook her head to herself as she looked down at her illuminated phone, "She's with fucking Alyssa—per usual," she said.

And I swear I had to bite down on the inside of my cheek just to withhold myself from reacting.

When really I felt like I could throw up.

Maybe she just used that as an excuse.

I mean she wouldn't be with Alyssa.

Right?

I suddenly glanced around the packed kitchen, noticing that Alyssa wasn't here like usual.

Then again, Alyssa only seems to come around whenever Mili's around.

Mya already told me that she only met Alyssa through Mili—and that she isn't the biggest fan of her.

And her intuition is definitely right on that one—especially since Alyssa cheated on her sister.

I wonder what Mya's intuition says about me.

"Ana."

I suddenly looked to Arielle, who motioned me over, which easily caused my brows to furrow.

"I wanted to take some pictures with you out on the balcony," she suddenly said as I walked over to her.

And I swear the last thing on my mind was pictures.

Seriously, what the fuck is Mili doing with Alyssa?

I mean, is she actually with her or was that lie?

I laughed internally, realizing the web of lies that I got myself tangled in.

I can't even fathom what's real and what's fake anymore.

"Hurry back—we're taking another round of shots!" Mya called out as she grabbed the bottle of liquor.

I nodded wordlessly, still feeling slightly shocked and confused all at the same time.

"You need to calm down," Arielle suddenly said.

And just like that my brows were furrowed even deeper, "Calm down? What do you mean? Do you know something?" I questioned, hoping she knew why Mili was with Alyssa right now.

She hasn't answered her phone for an entire hour.

Oh my God.

I need to breathe—she's probably just...

Why can't I think of a reasonable excuse for her right now?

Arielle shook her head, "I have no idea what's going on with Mili—but the worried look on your face is a little too obvious, which is why I pulled you out of there before anyone else noticed," she explained.

I leaned over the balcony slightly, feeling my face burn from so many different emotions at once.

Mostly, I was just confused.

Why didn't she tell me that she was planning to hang out with Alyssa before the party?

And why does Mya know?

More importantly, why is she texting Mya back and not me?

"How about I give you a moment to get yourself together? I can tell them that you'll be inside in a few minutes?" Arielle suddenly said, clearly noticing my uneasiness.

I nodded wordlessly, "Yeah-yeah," I forced out, not even trying to string an entire sentence together.

Arielle nodded, gently patting my shoulder before she entered back into the party—leaving me on the large empty balcony as I peered out at the busy city.

And before I could possibly think it through, I was grabbing my phone from my clutch—I needed an explanation right now, especially if she was with Alyssa still.

If she doesn't answer, I think that would be my answer right?

I shook my head to myself, determining that it wouldn't be an answer—that I would need to hear her explanation first.

I felt relief flow through my body when Mili picked up on the second ring.

"Mili."

And almost instantly I could pinpoint my weak tone that was practically on edge—hoping that she had just lied about her whereabouts and that she wasn't with her ex right now.

That the last hour of her not answering me was only because her phone was on do not disturb or maybe she just wasn't near it.

"Hey, what's going on? Are you okay?" Mili's soft voice suddenly flowed through my phone speakers, and it was obvious she was worried about me.

I let out a deep sigh, clearly trying to gather my nerves—I think the alcohol is making me paranoid right now.

"You aren't with Alyssa right now, right?" I questioned, not even bothering to beat around the bush.

I just needed to know what was going on before I could overthink myself into anything else.

"Mya said you were, but I didn't know if it was a misunderstanding maybe? I don't know, you haven't answered me all night so I was just trying to see what was going on?" I explained, but it was clear that I was just rambling.

I seriously need to cut myself off from drinking for the rest of the night.

"Look I really need to call you back—can we discuss this later?" Mili said, clearly not answering my question.

I shook my head to myself, realizing that she was one hundred percent with Alyssa right now.

Especially since she hasn't addressed me by my name once on this call.

"So you are with her right now?" I clarified, feeling slightly upset with the fact that she couldn't at least give me a heads-up.

It just sounded odd.

I mean, she's with her ex—and she hasn't answered her phone all night.

"I am, but I'm about to be at the party now. We can discuss—"

"I don't think I want to discuss this tonight," I admitted honestly, knowing that I'd rather talk about this in the morning.

Mostly, because I needed a moment to gather my thoughts and emotions but also because I was really pissed off right now.

My ego really doesn't let me talk to anyone when I'm mad.

"Baby please don't be like that—seriously we can talk about it. I just don't like doing this over the phone," Mili said, and I hated that the pet name sent a familiar warmth through my body.

I hated that even when I was upset with her she could still have that effect on me.

I shook my head to myself, "I don't want to do this right now," I determined, still feeling my ego push back.

"Don't hang—"

But it was too late—I had already impulsively ended the phone call.

I let out an irritated huff as I stared forward, clearly in the process of getting myself together so I could go back into the party.

My eyes unconsciously darted to the door when I noticed Cam who was dressed as a firefighter walk out onto the balcony.

And suddenly I was paranoid that she had overheard my conversation with Mili—well until she sent me a warm smile, clearly not overhearing anything.

Cam left the door cracked as she joined me by the railing.

"Sorry, hopefully I'm not bothering you," Cam said, and it was obvious she wanted to talk about something.

I forced a smile, clearly trying to push away the last twenty minutes of my night, "No-no, not at all—what's up?"

Cam turned to me fully, "Well, I just... these past two weeks away gave me some time to think," she said as I turned to her completely, and it was hard to hide the confusion on my face.

Universe please don't complicate my night further.

Please.

"And I completely get it if you shut this idea down," Cam said, easily forcing me to zone back into our conversation.

I tilted my head, "What idea?" I questioned, clearly confused by what we were even talking about right now.

Cam took a sudden step toward me, "I just... I would be mad at myself if I didn't at least try harder, especially because I really like you," she explained.

I furrowed my brows, "Cam..." I trailed off, clearly hoping she wasn't about to compromise the comfortable dynamic that we had fallen into.

"I just—I wanted to formally ask you out. To give us a real shot," Cam finally revealed.

And just like that my brows were raised, clearly caught off guard.

"I know it's insane, especially with all the ups and downs that we've gone through, but you're the only person I could think about when I was in New York, Ana," Cam said.

And all I could do was blink wordlessly to myself.

No.

That's what I was screaming in my head.

But then the thoughts of Alyssa and Mili popped into my head.

Is Mili planning to break things off with me tonight?

Maybe Cam is better for me—it's only been rough because I've been so caught up in Mili.

But I like Mili—more than Cam and I can admit that.

I can admit that there's more passion and emotion there.

Cam might be better for me on paper, but Mili felt like the one for me.

My eyes suddenly darted over to the glass door that was slightly open, easily noticing Mili standing there.

And by the look on her face, it was obvious that she heard everything.

Or at least enough.

But before I could say anything, she was walking away.

Cam suddenly followed my line of sight, which was where Mili had been previously standing, but was now gone, "Was that too much—"

"I'm sorry—I just, I have to..." I trailed off, clearly at a loss for words as I suddenly walked toward the glass door and walked back into the packed house in search of Mili.