But life wasn’t fair, and we couldn’t always have what we wanted.
I knew that better than most people.
Hailee
“This is a bad idea.” Flick snatched the bottle of vodka mixer from me and took a big swallow of it. “This is a very bad idea.” She smeared the back of her hand across her mouth before hiccupping.
“Come on, we need to be quick.” I grabbed her hand, pulling her through the trees bordering the Bennets' property.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” she groaned quietly as the woods grew denser, the shadows swallowing us whole.
“Consider it something to add to your list.”
“Hails.”
“Oh, come on, Flick. I already I said I’d go with you to the stupid pep rally, and I’ll consider Homecoming—”
“You will?” The hope in her voice made me feel like the shittiest friend ever but I buried down the emotion, focusing on the task at hand.
When Jason, Cameron, and Asher had walked away from us at Ice T’s, I knew I couldn’t just leave it. Even if Cameron had warned me to back down. It was one thing to mess with me but to mess with Flick? That was completely unacceptable, especially after I’d learned she actually wanted to go to their stupid party. So, while she devoured her apology-brownie, I hatched a plan.
“Okay,” I said pausing at the edge of the trees right where they met Asher’s driveway. “Give me the drink.” I needed some more Dutch courage for what I was about to do. It was stupid and reckless, and it could land me in hot water if anyone caught me, but it would be so worth it.
I chugged the remainder of the vodka mixer, my stomach churning as the bitter taste flooded my senses. When I was done, I tossed the bottle into the undergrowth and held out my hand. “Now give me the other stuff.”
Flick hiccupped again before handing me the cannister and sticker. “Are you absolutely sure about this?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
“I guess not. But, Hails, you don’t need to do this, not for me.”
“Hush now, I need to concentrate.” I read the instructions again, my glassy eyes making everything a little blurred. When I was sure I had it, I gave Flick my attention. “Wait here, okay? I won’t be long.” Slipping my hood over my head, I pulled the cord to conceal as much of my face as possible and slowly inched from the trees.
The front of the house was steeped in darkness; all noise and music coming from around the back. I’d never been in Asher’s house before, but everyone knew his parents were rich. I had overheard kids at school talk about his infamous parties down by the lake his property backed onto. My eyes darted left and right, making sure no one was around, before I cut across the driveway to the row of cars. Asher’s Jeep, Cameron’s truck, and finally my target: Jason’s restored 1969 Dodge Charger.
Moving around the body of the car, I crouched in front of the hood. My fingers trembled, my heart pounding against my ribcage, as I worked the sticker off the backing and positioned it front and center on the sleek black paintwork. Rubbing out any air pockets, I smoothed the Rixon East Eagles logo onto the hood, and then set to work on the spray paint.
“Hails,” Flick’s hushed voice carried on the breeze as I leaned over the hood to reach the windshield, spraying with as much accuracy as I could manage given the lack of light and my current lack of sobriety. “Hurry up.”
“Coming, I’m almost done.” Stepping back to survey my handiwork, I smiled to myself. Jason was going to kill me. If there was one thing he loved almost as much as football, it was this car. And when he realized… shit. It suddenly occurred to me I might not be the first suspect to pop into Jason’s mind.
The Raiders had a messy history with Rixon East High. A rivalry dating back decades. A rivalry that had only burned brighter since Jason became QB One for the Raiders. Crap. What if he thought someone from their team had done it? I could be the match lighting a long-simmering fuse. It was too late to worry now though. I had no way of removing the sticker or spray paint.
Scooping up all the evidence, I shoved it in my pockets, and checked the driveway again before ducking back into the shadows. But the sound of voices startled me, and I dashed back to Asher’s Jeep, crouching down behind it.
“You sure you’re good getting home?”
It was Cameron. Thank God. At least it wasn’t Jason; maybe I could still get out of this without being caught. The cars were parked in front of the double garage adjoining the house so if no one came around here, then I would be fine.
“Yeah,” a female voice said. “I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself. It’s cute you care though.”
He gave a strained laugh and my stomach knotted. Cameron and a girl. It shouldn’t have surprised me. The words Raider and manwhore practically went hand-in-hand.
“Thanks,” he said. “For… you know.”
“It’s always a pleasure, Chase. I’d coming running any day of the week for that trick you do with your…” The soft purr of a car engine drowned out her words. Thank God, because I really didn’t want to hear all about Cameron’s amazing skills in the bedroom.
Shuffling to the other corner of the Jeep, I leaned up slightly to try to get a look at whoever Cameron was saying goodnight to. But all I caught was the flash of long dark hair before she climbed inside the Uber car.
Now was my chance, I had to get out of here. Crouching down again, I slipped out from behind the Jeep and ran. But right before I hit the tree line, the cannister fell out of my pocket, rolling to the floor with a loud clunk. I froze, my body paralyzed as I held my breath, waiting. Maybe Cameron had already gone inside, maybe he was—
“What the fuck?”
Shit.
Shit!
My pulse pounded against my skull as I tried to figure out my options. I could make a run for the trees and hope he didn’t give chase, or I could turn around and fess up. Either way, it wasn’t looking good for me. I’d hoped to be safely tucked up in bed when Jason discovered my latest handiwork.
Deciding to take my chances, I took one step, ready to dive for the trees, but footsteps crunched on the gravel behind me. “Who’s there? Thatcher, if that’s you, you’d better—”
I turned slowly, loosening the cord of my hood to reveal my face. Cameron’s mask of fury faltered for a second, his eyes widening. But they quickly narrowed dangerously as he stalked closer. “Sunshine? What the actual fuck?”
“Hmm, hey.” I gave him a wry smile.
He grabbed my arm and I wondered what the hell he was doing until he pulled me further into the shadows. “What the hell Cam—”
His head flicked up to the house where there was a CCTV camera. Crap. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Probably because you’re drunk on vodka mixer and high on adrenaline, idiot.
“Now,” his voice was cold. “Want to explain to me what the fuck you think you’re doing?”
“Hmm, about that… Well, I thought Jason’s car needed a little facelift?” It came out more of question than the sarcastic wisecrack I’d been shooting for.
Cameron blew out an exasperated breath and I’m sure I heard him whisper, “You’re not making this easy for me.” But I figured my ears were playing drunken tricks on me. “You couldn’t just walk away, could you?” His eyes pinned me to the spot.