Page 63 of Finding Kyler
He smiles, shaking his head, as he twists the key and the car powers up. “It’s not, actually. It means my first impressions were spot-on. That’s great.” He flashes me a wide grin. “You’re not like other girls. You have no idea how refreshing that is.”
He shoves the car in gear, and we glide out onto the asphalt. It feels like the right time to set some ground rules. “Don’t go getting any ideas, Brad. I’m not in the market for a boyfriend, or even a hookup, but I’ll happily take all the friends I can get.”
“I respect that, Faye.” He keeps his gaze focused on the road. “And I’ll be a perfect gentleman. Scout’s honor. Whether you believe me or not, I could really use a friend, so I’m totally cool with that.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The high wrought iron gates open slowly to allow us to pass through. Brad drives up the winding driveway, parking in a line beside a row of flashy cars. “Who is Chase anyway?” I ask, when he opens my door. I slip my hand in his as he helps me out of the car, and his skin is warm but slightly callused, a lot like Ky’s. I remember now that Brad is into motocross too, and I wonder if he still trains at Rick and May’s track.
“He’s on the football team with me.” A deep crease furrows his brow, but he shakes it off. “His parents are good friends with your aunt and uncle.”
I stumble in my heels on the gravel, and Brad places a steadying hand on my lower back as we walk. Heat seeps into my skin through the sheer material of my top. It doesn’t foster the same tingling sensation that Ky’s touch invokes, but it’s nice all the same.
Rose and Theo are waiting at the side of the house, and she lifts her hand in a wave when she spots us.
“Yay!” Rose says, bounding toward me. “You made it!” She loops her arm in mine and pulls me toward Theo, making necessary introductions. After that, we head around the side of the house, while the boys trail behind us, talking in low voices. “How are you two getting along?” she inquires.
I roll my eyes. “It was only a ten-minute drive, Rose.”
“I know, but you can tell he’s a decent guy, right?”
I give her a funny look. “Why does it matter so much to you? You still got a thing for him?”
She throws back her head and laughs. “Don’t be so silly. I’m crazy about Theo, and I told you me and Brad was only a childish thing, but he’s still a good friend, and I worry about him. Everything’s changing in his life, and I think you would be good for him. You make a cute couple.”
Sounds of laughter are getting louder the farther we walk. “No matchmaking! This isn’t that. I’ve told him already that I only want to be friends. Boys are fuckwits and I don’t need any more complications.”
She pulls me to the side. “Tell Auntie Rose all about it.”
Brad and Theo stop and look at us. “Everything all right?” Theo asks, shooting a loving look at Rose.
“Everything is perfect.” I level a gaze at Rose, pleading with her to drop it. I take her arm and pull her forward.
“Later,” she whispers in my ear, and I give her a slight nod.
The party is in full swing by a massive pool. Shrieks and cries fill the air as couples mess about in the water. Others are congregated in seating areas, drinking and chatting. Loud music pumps out through huge, mobile speakers. Expansive glass doors are retracted at the side of the house, merging the inside and outside spaces. Lighting is dim inside as Brad guides me through a large living room that has been transformed into a makeshift dance floor. The place is teeming with heaving, sweaty bodies, and Brad has to weave an elaborate path through the crowd in the direction of the kitchen. He keeps a firm hold on my hand as he maneuvers across the room. A few heads turn in our direction. Inquisitive glances dart from Brad to me, but no one makes any effort to greet us.
Emerald green eyes latch on mine, as someone familiar spots me in the crowd. A glimmer of gleeful amusement flickers in Addison’s gaze.
“Oh joy.”
Brad stops, grimacing as he turns around. “What’s up?” He follows my line of sight. Addison notices him for the first time, and the look on her face transforms instantly. She saunters toward us, sashaying her hips in an orchestrated fashion. Her mouth pulls into a provocative pout, and I can’t help the snort that escapes my lips. She is such a walking cliché.
Brad moves closer to my side, placing a protective arm across my lower back.
“Well, well,” she says, standing in front of us with her hands on her hips. Her gaze hovers from me to Brad and back again. “This is almost too good to be true! The rejected blue blood and the wannabe rich girl! Too funny!” A line of girls form a semi-circle around her, and they all titter at our expense.
“Don’t be a bitch, Addison.” Brad is uber calm.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” She mock tuts, skimming one finger down the front of his shirt. “You’ve had to downgrade everything, haven’t you?” He pales at her words. She tilts her head to the side, and her eyes lock on mine.
The insinuation isn’t subtle. Neither is the insult.
“Get lost, Addison,” Kalvin demands, coming up on the other side of me. “Can’t you tell when you’re not wanted?”
“That’s not what you were telling me before,” she purrs, brushing her chest up against him on purpose.
Areyou shitting me?
