Page 53 of This Blood That Binds Us

“Someone I’d like to get to know better,” Kimberly said, this time with confidence. “It’s Saturday at eight.”

“Okay, I can pick you up at your dorm—”

“Oh, no, that’s okay. I can just meet you there,” Kimberly said, the words tumbling out too fast.

I buried my head in my lap. He had to be on to us by then.

“Are you sure? I’d be happy to,” William said.

“I’m sure. I will see you there.” Her tone wavered as she turned to leave. “Did you have a number I could reach you at?”

“Actually, my cell is currently broken. But don’t worry, I’ll be there on time this time, and I’ll find you. It shouldn’t be a problem, seeing you already know how to find me.” He laughed, as if it was perfectly normal to not be reachable by cell phone.

In this day and age, it was less and less likely.

Kimberly’s heartbeat was back to doing kick flips.

They said their goodbyes, and as Kimberly and I joined, still not talking, we shared a look. This was about to be our best idea yet, or our worst—I couldn’t tell. But if the sick feeling in my stomach was any indication, I was going to regret it.

“Are you sureyou’re ready for this?” I whispered in Kimberly’s ear, holding the car door open.

“I’m ready.” She smiled at me, and I marveled at her in her red dress. It hugged her hips in the right places. It was short but not too short. She looked comfortable and confident, and I really needed to think about something else. Anything other than how amazing she looked.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She narrowed her eyes.

“Your hair is fluffy,” I spit out quickly. It was beautiful and fluffy. She went to smooth it down and I laughed. “It looks good. Don’t worry.”

Party buses were pulling into the narrow driveway, tree branches scratching the windows. Fraternity guys and their dates piled out onto the gravel drive, most of whom were already drinking.

An industrial building tucked into the tall pine trees greeted us. A soft, warm glow radiated from the two-story compound, showing the red bricks and iron architecture. A long line stretched all the way to the back of the building. The more people, the better, as far as I was concerned.

“LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!” Zach yelled, practically bursting my ear drums.

I followed the twins’ lead on what to wear for the night. Luke and I had on black blazers, matching slacks, and a simple white shirt underneath, but Luke’s blazer barely fit over his shoulders and had to leave it unbuttoned. Zach, of course, opted for an all black look.

Presley groaned. “I think your party started way too early. You guys gotta sober up. You promised to get my drinks at the open bar.”

Presley found a black-and-white-checkered blazer and opted for a pink bowtie, and thanks to Luke, we were almost late because of his drunken tutorial on how to tie a bowtie.

“Don’t worry, little brother. We are here for you! You can count on us.” Luke flung an enthusiastic finger at Presley, jabbing him hard in the chest.

“Ow!” Presley rubbed his chest. “You guys should just go and do your loner-twin thing, and we’ll catch up later.”

“Got it!” Zach and Luke said simultaneously, leaving us in peace. We watched them disappear into the growing crowd together.

I heard through the grapevine multiple sorority girls had been dropping hints for them to accompany them to the formal, but since we’d been in Blackheart, I hadn’t seen the twins do anything more than flirt with a few girls here and there.

“They seem. . . excited,” Kimberly said.

“They were in a weird mood today and started drinking early.”

I stuffed my hands in my pockets. I’d stopped trying to figure out the reasons for their moods a long time ago. Whatever the reason, it would stay locked away along with all of their other secrets.

“Now that’s an understatement.” Presley chuckled under his breath, pulling out a pack of cigarettes, then popping one in his mouth.

“If Zach sees you smoking, he’s going to freak out.” I sighed.

“Please, it’s not like it matters now.” His eyes switched to Kimberly. “Besides, he’s way too drunk to notice.” Presley exhaled a large puff of smoke with a pleased sigh.