Page 85 of We Are Yours

“Is this a game?” I asked, needing to know. “Have I turned into a game for you?”

“You tell me,” he snapped, cocking his head to the side. “You’re the one who’s obviously keeping score.”

“That’s not an answer.” I countered before speaking with conviction, “I do love Julius.”

He agreed. “So do I.”

“Then act like it.”

He shrugged, pointing out, “If you really loved Julius, you wouldn’t have screamed my name first.”

The garage door swiftly opened, and I didn’t have to wonder who it was.

Immediately trying to lighten the mood, I announced, “Look who might make the honor roll next semester.”

I held up Kraven’s report card to show it to Julius. Thankfully, he looked distracted and wasn’t paying too much attention to what he just walked in on. Once he noticed the grades, he smiled at Kraven.

“Don’t push your luck,” Kraven declared as Julius walked toward me to grab it out of my hand.

Julius teased, “You sure you didn’t forge this? Bribe some teachers?”

“It’d be straight A’s if that were true.”

“But then it’d be too obvious.”

I redirected the conversation. “Maybe you should try a congratulations, Julius.”

He turned his focus back to Kraven and squeezed his shoulder. “Congratulations.”

I could tell Kraven was a little hurt that he was instantly doubted.

Not that I could blame Julius.

Julius must have noticed because he quickly followed it up with, “Let’s celebrate!”

It was supposed to be a celebration, but in reality…

* * *

The match was being lit.

Chapter

Thirty

Isla

We ended up at a club where Julius knew everyone and didn’t have any problem getting us in despite Kraven and me being underage. Not only was it not an issue, but he also got us a VIP table right in front of the DJ booth. I had no idea how Julius was able to pull this one off, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to find out where he established these connections.

I felt uneasy being surrounded by such a large crowd. It was so loud I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. Everyone was dressed up, including Kraven and Julius. They were both wearing collared shirts and slacks. Julius had on a vest, and Kraven wore a fedora. They looked handsome.

Unsure how to dress, I wore a tight black dress with black ankle pumps, went heavy on the eye makeup, and left my hair down. By the expression on their faces when I stepped into the kitchen, I’d done a good job.

That didn’t stop the anxiousness I felt the second we walked in, though. This was my first time at a club. I didn’t break the law, at least not on purpose. Grabbing the glass from the table in front of me, I poured some champagne.

For the next hour, I drank until I started to feel the nervousness subside and the endorphins and adrenaline kick in. Watching everyone loosen up around me as the hours flew by helped. I wanted to be like them.

I danced.