Page 50 of Vicious Little Snakes

“Hey. Is that?” Her hand shields her face until the lights switch to a different part of the room. “It is.” She looks over her shoulder to me, pointing. “It’s Grey.”

Shit. I’d kind of hoped to avoid everyone by pretending to chase pussy. My gaze follows the line she’s drawn, seeing Kai waving us over, Donovan under Grey’s arm…and Caroline. I suddenly feel hollow, completely empty inside.

She looks gorgeous, even from here. Perfect for the day she hates most.

Arden taps me with her clutch. “Come on, Romeo, your friends beckon.”

I shove my hands in my pockets. “Fuck them. I’ll intro you to Carebear later. First, let me get you drunk.”

Shit, did I just say Carebear?

Arden shakes her head, joking, “Are you ashamed of me, Liam?”

She takes a step back toward me to grab my jacket but her smile drops. Arden is staring at me as I look past her, jaw tense. I thought it’d be easier to be here. But I’m bombarded by memories—it’s too much. This room. Caroline, Arden, all of it. I need to get out of here.

“Hold on, is thisthe Caroline…like ‘Hi, I’m a sad sack, sulking in the Hamptons because of Carebear’, Caroline. It is, isn’t it? Don’t lie because you just called her Carebear.”

All I can do is swallow. I was heartbroken at the beginning of that summer. Arden was older, more experienced, and a good listener. She’s the kind of girl that takes shit to the grave—like Donovan. Damn, I never thought about that—both wild, good listeners. I guess Arden was doing double duty that summer being all the girls I missed.

“Arden, come on. We don’t need to go down memory lane. I’d much rather get drunk and make terrible decisions—with you.”

She lets out a huff, patting my chest. “Oh my God. Hell no. Now you will introduce me.” Arden turns around to go down the stairs, but I catch her arm, stopping her. Pressing myself behind her, I bring my lips to her ear.

“Nobody knows about what happened. Or how I felt. Nobody. I’d like to keep it that way. That girl’s taken a lot from me. So I’d prefer to keep my fucking dignity.”

Arden turns into my arms, smiling, the light beaming down on us again.

“Done, baby. But what fun would tonight be if I didn’t help to make her regret that fucking decision? Who knows, maybe she’ll see the light and try to steal you back.”

I’m searching her eyes, wondering what the fuck I’m doing other than clinging to some delusional need for retribution, as I lean down, diving headfirst into a stupid decision, and take Arden’s lips between mine.

Caroline

My heart’s beating out of my chest and not because of the coke. That was a dud. It’s because Liam’s standing at the top of the stairs with Arden Livingston in his arms, kissing her.

“Grey!” Kai yells over the music, pointing to the stairs. “Guess who decided to show the fuck up.”

I pretend not to look, but I can’t help it. How can I? There’s a fucking spotlight on them, giving me a clear picture. What kind of fucked-up birthday sorcery is this? Now I know how Carrie felt—it’s all crowns and glitter until someone throws pig’s blood on your face. My pig is Arden.

I guess Liam chose torture as his option.

Laura’s eyes grow wide, and she sees what I do, tapping my arm. I brush her off, walking away to grab some more champagne. Fuck him for coming tonight. I’d just made peace with him ghosting, or maybe just forgotten to think about it for the last five minutes, and now he shows up—with her, to make the day I hate even worse.

“The most important person,”Laura’s words rattle around in my head as I throw my flute back, taking unladylike gulps.

“Caroline,” Laura flaps. “She’s here. And with Liam. So that means Arden’s not just at your party—she’s a part of your crew. This is so exciting.”

When I don’t smile, she adds, “Be excited.”

“Eat shit and die,” I say against my glass, reaching for the bottle again.

“Huh? I didn’t hear you.” Her big oval eyes stare up at me.

I give her a tight smile before handing her my empty glass and shaking the empty bottle. “I thought I was the guest of honor.”

“Sorry. Whoops. I’ll be right back.”

Laura walks out of our area to grab another bottle of champagne, and I watch her, feeling a twinge of guilt.That’s a first.Donovan saunters up next to me, eyeing me like she’s going to say something stupid. For her, I won’t have any guilt—I dare you, I’m not in the mood.