CHAPTER TEN

I’d give my cousin this: The girl sure knew how to throw a party.

As I watched the music-thumping activities around me, my nostril smarted from the diamond stud embedded in the side of my nose. Yes, Eva had finally peer pressured me into it.

Hey, I’m not perfect.

My weakness had started as soon as I’d seen how cute the silver hoop she’d gotten for herself looked. Then she’d glanced at me, said, “Jeremy would hate seeing you with a nose ring,” and my resistance had sunk like the Titanic. God forbid I do anything ~he~ would approve of.

Worried how much goo would catch on it whenever I sneezed, however, I had opted for a stud instead of a hoop. The redness and swelling had gone down, and it had never bled the way Eva’s piercing had, so no one could tell it was only a couple of hours old.

I glanced across Aunt Mads and Uncle Shaw’s living room to watch Alec lift a shot of tequila from Eva’s cleavage with his teeth and tip the jigger up without touching it. E. cheered him on as a trickle of alcohol dribbled down his chin. But she licked it off him as soon as he dropped his shot glass into his hands.

I shook my head even as my lips quirked with amusement. Crazy kids.

I’d been worried about her and Alec dating when I’d first met him. He seemed as rich, spoiled, and pretentious as Eva was. Two likes, in that regard, usually didn’t attract. I figured they wouldn’t last a week, each of them expecting the other to pamper them as much as their parents did.

But they’d been together almost three months now and still seemed content.

Standing with my back against a wall so I could take it all in without missing anything, I felt like I was supervising instead of joining the fun. Ever since May, though, I’d been a little too leery of diving into a group of complete strangers.

I’d just taken a sip from my plastic red cup when someone approached me from the side. “Hey. You were looking lonely standing over here all by yourself. Thought I’d keep you company.”

“Oh!” I almost spilled frothy beer down my shirt, I jumped so hard. Wiping my chin and feeling like a moron, I turned to the stranger. “I didn’t see you there.”

He grinned, his teeth perfect enough to tell me he must’ve worn braces at some point. “Sorry. I guess all my secret ninja training is paying off after all.”

I smiled but couldn’t manage a laugh.

He held out his hand. “I’m Ty.”

“Reese.” I shook with him, pulling back immediately.

I swear I didn’t throw off any flirty signals. But he still leaned against the wall beside me as if I’d invited him and took a drink from the longneck bottle he held. Surveying the crowd with me, he asked, “So, do you know Eva or did you just hear about the party?”

“I know Eva.” I turned to watch him instead of everyone else, since he seemed like the bigger threat. “She’s my cousin.”

“Hmm.” He stopped people watching to twist to me as well. “She’s never mentioned you before.”

I shrugged. Eva and I may have grown up halfway across the country from each other, but every holiday our families had gotten together; we’d always been inseparable. Facebook had helped keep us tight too. But I had no idea why this stranger thought she ever should’ve mentioned me to him.

His dark brown eyes were direct and told me they appreciated what they saw. I wasn’t sure what to think of that. I mean, he wasn’t ugly. He wasn’t gigolo status hot, but he wasn’t repulsive by any means. I had simply been totally honest with E. when I’d told her I wasn’t looking for any kind of relationship.

If my history with Jeremy had taught me anything, it was to be very cautious of anyone putting out the kind of signals Ty currently was. He was looking to get laid tonight, which made me nervous. Actually, every guy lately, except Mason, made me nervous. Okay, I definitely had a fit of nerves around Mason too, but a totally different kind. With Ty, I kept wondering how mad he got if a girl didn’t kiss him the right way. How soon after he became serious did he nix girls’ night out? How many weapons did he own?

Maybe thoughts like that never crossed my mind when I was around Mason because there was an element of security between us. He was forbidden. Ergo, I was safe from experiencing any relationship horrors with him. We could both be ourselves without reservation.

“Are you always so quiet?” Ty asked, looking amused by how intensely I was staring at him.

I blushed and waved my hand. “You caught me. I just stand here and look pretty.”

He laughed and his eyes glittered hungrily. “Yes, you do.”

Yikes. I cleared my throat and winced, wishing he hadn’t thought I’d been fishing for a compliment. Needing a change of subject, I was opening my mouth to ask if he attended Waterford too when Eva appeared in front of us. Thank God.

“Ty! You made it.” She hugged him and then bumped her cheeks against his in a pretend kiss.

As she pulled back, Ty inspected her from head to foot, still holding both her hands in his. “Eva. You’re as lovely as ever. New nose ring, I see. It looks sexy.”

“Why, thank you.” Gracefully severing her contact with him, Eva continued to smile her hostess smile as she linked her arm through mine. “ReeRee and I got both of ours done just today. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to borrow this lady right here.”

He nodded, his eyes simmering with barely repressed heat as he glanced at me. “Only if you bring her back when you’re done with her.”

Eva laughed and turned us away from him to march me through a crowd of people toward the kitchen. I was about to thank her for saving me when she muttered, “Not on your life, pal.”

“E!” I hissed, glancing back to make sure he hadn’t overheard. “What was that about?”

“Oh, Reese, honey. You must have a serious bad boy fetish. I swear, you are the queen of impossible relationships.”

“Am not,” I muttered peevishly and jerked my elbow free. She always found a way to make me feel naïve in the relationship department.

“Just…stay away from Ty, okay? Trust me on this one.”

I hadn’t been planning on staying near him, but I grew alert at Eva’s serious tone and pulled her to a halt in the middle of the empty hallway. “Why? Did he take a knife to his last girlfriend?”

She rolled her eyes. “No.”

“Is he a gigolo?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“No, but—”

“Then he already has two brownie points in his favor.”

Why I was defending him, I had no idea. I think I just wanted to argue with Eva because she was pissing me off. Did she think I had no head on my shoulders at all when it came to guys, just because I’d been so awfully wrong about Jeremy?

Hell, did everyone who knew me think I was a complete ninny now?

I spun toward the kitchen to refill my cup and get rip-roaring drunk over this new insight, but Eva pulled me around to face her. “I dated him for three months last year,” she explained on a sigh.

Oh.

I wrinkled my nose. “Eww.” Dating one of Eva’s exes had to be just as bad as dating one of my sister’s ex-boyfriends. “Why didn’t he mention that? I even told him we were related.”

“Welcome to Ty Lasher,” Eva said. “He doesn’t have a moral bone in his body. The bastard cheated on me, ~twice~, in the three months we were together.”

“Yeesh. Thanks for the warning.” I would not be returning to a conversation with that douche. “So, wait. If you two have such a bad past, why is he at one of your parties?” And why had she been so cordial about greeting him?

“Because anyone who’s anyone comes to my parties. They are the bomb, baby.”

“Unfortunately, she’s right,” a voice said, tingling my spine, as someone stepped into the hallway behind me. “Mercer does know how to throw a hell of a party.”

“Mason,” Eva hissed, her eyes narrowing. “What a surprise. I rarely see you at these. And I don’t recall inviting you to this one, either.”

I thought that was a strange observation. Eva probably hadn’t invited most the people here.

“No,” Mason agreed. When I dared to turn around, I saw his sneer was just as hard as my cousin’s. “But your boyfriend did.”

Eva’s lips tightened. “And I will be having a few words with Alec about that. Trust me.”

“Okay, hold on.” I adjusted my stance so I could see both Eva and Mason. I lifted my hands and shook them. “I don’t get this. Mason ~didn’t~ take advantage of you when you were drunk, and you don’t want him here. Yet that Ty guy cheated on you twice and you just ~hugged~ him in welcome. That makes no sense.”

Eva blinked as if she didn’t understand my confusion. “ReeRee, Ty is the son of a judge. This…person is nothing but a holier-than-thou male ~prostitute~.”

“A prostitute who turned ~you~ down,” Mason taunted. “Pride stung much?”

She glared at him. “You are such a smug—”

“—bastard,” he finished for her, his voice pleasant. “Yeah, I remember.”

“You don’t belong here.” She balled her hands into fists, damn near vibrating with fury. “How dare you crash ~my~ party? You’re a nobody from nowhere who—”

“Hey!” I jumped in front of him, facing off with my cousin. “Back off. You invited everyone and their dog to this party tonight. Stop being such a stuck-up snob. I want Mason to stay. He’s fun to talk to.”

E. stared at me hard, as if searching for something before glancing over my shoulder. Eyes narrowing, she clutched my arm. Keeping a censorious gaze on him, she spoke quietly in my ear. “Remember what I told you, ReeRee. Don’t do it.” Then she plowed past us, shoulder checking Mason as she left.

I stared after her, confused as ever with the burning need to apologize for her.

“Don’t do what?” Mason asked from behind me.

I whirled to face him and my breath caught. God, it was too late; I had totally disregarded Eva’s warning already and fallen big time. Into what, I wasn’t exactly sure. But Mason Lowe definitely had a hold on my emotions.

“I think she’s worried I’ll follow in her footsteps and try to throw myself at you like she did.”

“You think?” His eyes scanned my face. “Well, you do tend to act like her little lemming.”

I gasped, appalled and hurt he saw that in me. “I do not.”

His eyes gleamed with amusement before he tapped the end of my nose. “New nose ring,” he noticed, sealing his point.

I covered my diamond stud with my hand, hiding the evidence. “Okay, but I don’t follow her over the cliff ~every~ time.”

“No,” he agreed amicably. “But I’m glad you did this time. That ring makes you look incredibly…hot.”

He sounded surprised by that fact.

I was surprised he thought so. Clearing my throat, I glanced away, knowing I should respond somehow, but I just couldn’t.

Mason blew out a breath. “I knew you’d be here tonight.”

Whirling back, I gawked badly. “You…you’re here because of ~me~?”

He shifted, glancing away briefly, looking uncomfortable before he turned back and suddenly thrust something at me that I hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. “Here. I wanted to return this.”

I stared down at my ~Harry Potter~ book in shock. Frowning, I took it slowly. After slipping it from his hand, I looked up. “What? You mean, you ~finished~ it? Already?”

He nodded and actually blushed. “Sarah...she kept pestering me to read it to her. I think I missed a couple of homework assignments because we had to read it every free chance I had.” He breathed in a deep breath, lifting his shoulders. “So…what’s the name of the second one? ~The Secret Chamber,~ or something like that?”

I sputtered and gaped down at the book in my hands, still stunned he’d actually read it. He was definitely turning out to be full of surprises. “It’s ~The Chamber of Secrets~,” I corrected as I ran my thumb up the spine of ~The Sorcerer’s Stone~. When I looked at him, I squinted suspiciously. “Did you really, ~really~ finish this already?”

“Yes!” He sounded flustered and kind of embarrassed. “Do you want to quiz me about it, or do you want to give me the next book already?”

My mouth popped open. “You want to read the next one?” A smirk knotted my lips. “You liked it, didn’t you?”

He shook his head. “Sarah wants to know what happens next.”

“But you do too,” I taunted and leaned closer. “Admit it. You ~liked~ it.”

He sent me a warning scowl. “Don’t even think about saying I told you so.”

“Ha!” I crowed, shooting my hands into the air, one full of alcohol, the other full of ~Harry Potter~. “I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I so told you so.”

“I see you’re one of those gracious, humble types of winners,” he said dryly, though his lips twitched with amusement.

“This is so awesome,” I went on, totally ignoring him. “I created a ~Harry Potter~ fan. You know, if this keeps up, J.K. is going to have to give me a cut of her royalties. Don’t you think?”

“I think you’re pushing it, Randall.”

For a second, I blinked, wondering why the heck he’d called me Randall before it clicked into place. Oh, right. My new last name.

~Reese Randall, Reese Randall. Don’t forget it.~

“Whatever,” I rolled my eyes as I grinned. “This is still awesome. I can go get you book two right now if you really want it.”

He frowned. “You carry ~Harry Potter~ books around with you to college keggers?”

I lifted the volume he’d just given me and shook it in his face. “What? You do too.”

He laughed. “Wow, you really are aiming to be the top recruiter of the year.”

“You know it.” I grinned and tapped the dimple in his chin playfully with the edge of my book. “But seriously, my apartment is right above the garage, which is, like, twenty feet away from that back door, so…I can get it for you in two minutes tops.”

Mason glanced at the back door. Then he turned to me, his eyes squinting with suspicion. “You’re staying above the Mercers’ garage?”

“Yep, and I know what you’re thinking, but trust me. The place is super cool. It’s honestly like a mini apartment up there with a kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom, and living room. And the privacy is…awesome.” I had to sing the word awesome. “Eva is so jealous. She had no idea what kind of gem was on her property until I moved in. I swear, she’d probably kick me out and move in herself if her closet wasn’t twice the size of my entire bedroom.”

“Hmm.” He looked utterly confounded. “Wow. I could tell you and Eva were close, but I had no idea her parents would let you move in.”

“Oh! I’m sorry; I guess you didn’t realize Eva’s my cousin. Her mom, Aunt Mads, is my mom’s little sister.”

Mason paled. “Yeah,” he drew out the word. “I didn’t know that.”

“Okay, seriously,” I growled, suddenly dead sober. “Is there more to this thing between you and E. than you two are letting on?”

“No.” He shook his head. “No, I just…no. Not at all. I was only worried the contention between her and me would bother you. I mean, you’re not going to stop talking to me now in loyalty to your cousin, are you?”

I arched a suspicious eyebrow. “If I haven’t stopped by now because of her, then I’m probably not going to stop later either because of her.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Okay, good. It’s just…I know she doesn’t consider me to be from her…ilk. It’d be a shame if you jumped over that cliff with her.”

Eva might’ve coaxed me into going all sandal. She might’ve talked me into getting a diamond jammed into my nose. But no one could talk me out of being friends with Mason Lowe, except maybe Mason Lowe.

I sighed. “I may love my cousin to pieces and go all fashion crazy with her on occasion, but trust me, I ~do~ know how to be my own person. If I ever become as condescending as Eva Mercer, please shoot me, okay?”

Mason’s expression was a little stiff, as if he didn’t believe me. But he nodded. “Okay.”

I grinned. “Great. Now that we have ~that~ settled, wait right here. I’ll be back in a jiffy with your next book.”