Page 126 of Under the Influence

“Thank God,” I mutter.

“I’ll tell Carson that you guys are in. Let me know if anything changes.”

She stares at her phone, rushing to type out a message.

“You need a ride home?”

“No,” she rushes, her fingers still moving a hundred miles an hour. “That was my Aunt Lauren, she’s pulling up outside. My parents want to do a video call with us tonight to talk about a plan for the next few weeks, so that should be interesting.”

I wince, “I kinda forgot you left them behind. That has to be hard for them.”

She shrugs, “Yeah, I miss them. I kinda thought that maybe one of them would’ve come with me, but I understand why they didn’t. Dad has his coaching job, and mom has too many things relying on her to just leave. Not without notice anyway.”

“Well, call me if you need anything. Even if you just want to talk.”

“Alright, thanks, Mad. And thanks for playing at the Halloween party. Everyone will love your music. I owe you one.”

I wink, “Believe me, I’ll collect. Might even make you clean my room.”

She looks around and snarls her nose, “On that note, I’m leaving.”

We both laugh as she exits, and I stare at my drums in the corner of my room. We’ve never actually played a full set like this. I can’t help but be a little nervous that people might hate us.

It wasn’t a hard decision, though. Either pretend I want to be at a Legacy party and carry around a red solo cup like a shield, or hide behind my music. Easy choice, when my music is where I feel safe anyway.

I glance at the clock. It’s nearly a quarter past nine, and I still have two things on my list to take care of tonight.

My phone buzzes against the wood of my nightstand.

Avery

I’m home. Finally. You would think that my dad would be here. He’s not.

Madden

I’m on my way.

Avery

Gate code 1005

I don’t want to go another minute without seeing her when she is just five minutes away. And I’ll be damned if the first night she comes home, she’s alone. That just doesn’t sit right with me. So thing number two on my list will have to wait until tomorrow because if I have anything to say about it, I won’t be leaving Avery tonight.

When I pull up to the gate, I remember why I usually avoid this part of town. The only people that can afford to live in this neighborhood are swimming in cash. Those are typically the type of Legacy kids I don’t want to associate with.

Sure, I have been in Avery’s house a few times for parties. Hell, she is the only reason I went to them. Even then, I could tell there was something between us, with her stolen glances and sideways stares, which I happily returned. Still, I know I don’t belong here.

I pull into the circle driveway and park right behind Avery’s car. She beats me to the door, pulling it open and stepping out before I can get there to ring the bell.

Her long hair is cut shorter, about shoulder length, and her makeup is light, her face almost bare. Maybe getting away for a while was good for her.

It surprises me when she runs up to me, jumping into my arms. The muscle in my chest squeezes when I realize she’s wearing my clothes. The same ones she left wearing the last time I saw her. I suffocate in her scent, my face buried in her hair. She smells like a mixture of perfume and vanilla milkshake. It’s intoxicating.

“I missed you,” she whispers in my ear, kissing my cheek.

“Same, pretty girl. I’m glad you’re home. Do you feel better?”

My heart clenches when I look at her. She seems sad, lonely even. Coming home to this million-dollar mansion with no one to fill it.