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In my bedroom, I strip out of my work clothes and run to shower.
Jason's background check was right: I totally do like to party. Not every week, and usually not during the school year, but I tend to dance with my city friends as soon as I have half an excuse to do so. We haven't met up in a while, but this is Halloween weekend. The thirty-first falls on a Monday this year, so we decided to celebrate it tonight.
A couple of my girls, Tara and Olivia, work at my dad's restaurants. They're both over twenty-one, so they tend to order drinks for us. Harper, Evie, Gabriella, and Spencer attend my old school.
I get changed into a short green dress frayed at the hems, ripped tights, my favorite comfortable boots, and work on my over-the-top makeup to complete the look of a dark witch. I'm placing my pointy hat on my wavy, messy hair when Mom knocks at my door. I know it's her because Dad will be at work until at least one in the morning.
"Yes?"
She's already walking inside. "Damn!" she screams, bringing her hands to her gaping mouth. "When did you grow so big?"
"Mom, that's downright embarrassing."
She rifles through the designer bag at her side, pulling out a string of foil packets. "Take those with you. I'm too young to be a grandma."
Someone shoot me, please. "In the near future, I'm going to waste all my money on a psychologist to get over this very moment."
She folds the six rubbers and hands them to me. "But you won't be doing it with a baby in tow. You're welcome."
I want to tell her I don't intend to use any of them, but to be fair, I lost my virginity on a night not unlike tonight last year. I hadn't intended to do anything but dance and drink a little back then, either. I take the condoms and fit them into my pouch as she moves to my dressing table and fusses with my makeup bags.
She brings a brush to my face. I close my eyes and let her play doll. By the time she's done, my makeup's changed, going from dramatic to slightly more natural, and ten times more striking. I don't know how she does it.
"Thank you, Mom." I notice she looks particularly pretty, even by her standards.
Her clothes are the opposite of mine. She's in an off-white jumpsuit with a deep neckline, and a heavy gold chain studded with diamonds hangs on her chest. She pairs it with gold heels and a luxurious fur coat—I know it's fake because she'd never wear real fur, but it doesn't look it.
"Doing something special tonight?" I ask her.
She shrugs. "Nothing exciting. And you, who are you going out with?"
"The usual group. Everyone's coming. It's been a while."
Given my work shift, I'll be the last one to arrive, so I have to double-check where they are before heading out. I pull out my phone and check my messages, intending to open the group chat with my NYC friends. Instead, I notice a message sent from an unknown number.
Running away? That's not like you, doll.
My hand tightens on my phone.
"Anyone I know?" Mom asks with a wicked grin, shamelessly spying.
I pocket my phone, about to say no. Then I remember. Mom knows Jason. Well, that might be an exaggeration, but she's met him at least once, at his brother's funeral.
"A guy from my school," I hedge.
My mother beams. She's like a cat who got the cream. "Any guy who makes you blush like this, I should know about." She sits on my bed and pats the mattress next to her. "Tell me."
I bite my lip.Well, Mom, he got the entire school to bully me to see if I had thick skin, then when he established I did, he started to ignore me.Yeah, right. There's nothing I could talk to my mother about regarding Jason fucking Alden. If I told her half of what he's been up to, she'd have his balls.
"Nothing much to tell. He's a legacy." She knows the term—I've mentioned it a few times.
Mom lifts an eyebrow. "Oh." Her voice's an octave higher than normal. Then she clears her throat. "I, mm. I see."
I tilt my head, curious now. There's definitely atoneto those few words. "Mom?"
She's looking at everything except me. "Well, I'd better get going. You can tell me all about the boy tomorrow, yes?"
Oh, boy. I'mnotletting that go.
