Page 15 of Forever Cursed

The best thing about summer break is doing absolutely nothing. The last couple of days, I’ve been crashing the Waylens’ pool. I was able to keep my dorm back at Castle Brook because I’ll be participating in a psychology mentorship next week, but it gets boring when I’m there alone.

I managed to talk Max into letting us have a mini pool party today. He said that as long as no one fucks in the pool or trashes his house, he’s cool with it. The only problem is a certain cat can’t help but be the center of attention and create chaos in the midst of it.

“Here comes trouble,” I warn Gwen as she opens the sliding glass door from the kitchen to the backyard.

With a brief squeal, she hurries outside and closes the door before Pickles can make a run for it. Pickles almost runs face-first into the door, and I can’t help but chuckle at his attempt to join the party before it even starts.

“Shall I grab your floaties, Your Majesty?” I tease.

Pickles turns around and squints his lime-green eyes at me, like he’s responding to my comment.

“Oh no, did I walk in on a Pickles versus Chrissy standoff?” Ash halts when he catches the two of us in the act.

“He started it,” I say without looking away from this maniac.

The door slides open, but Pickles doesn’t dare break our eye contact.

“Not again,” Gwen sighs. “Come here, crazy boy.” She picks him up, and he literally melts in her arms. “I’m going to put him in our room so he doesn’t try to run away.”

“Mama’s boy,” I snark while Gwen passes by, and that asshole tries to swat his paw at me.

I purse my lips together, and Ash chuckles when he catches the face I’m making.

“It shouldn’t surprise me that the cat is your nemesis, but somehow, it does.” He grabs a carrot stick and munches on it. “How many people should we expect today?”

“Yeah, about that.” I throw a charming smile his way, hoping it’ll ease the blow.

“Chrissy...” he chastises. “How many people did you invite?”

“Not that many, I swear!”

“How many?” He drops his tone to convey his seriousness.

“The usual suspects. Zack, Rome,most of the football team,andtwenty-someof my friends,” I mumble, hoping he doesn’t hear me, but this is Ash we’re talking about. This man hears everything.

“You better hope Max doesn’t find out. And you better pray this house doesn’t get trashed.”

“I will take full responsibility. I can keep everyone in line, trust me.”

Ash’s eyes wrinkle behind his glasses, and as he finishes the carrot, he grabs the tray to bring it outside.

“I’m watching you, Willows.”

“Don’t worry, Waylen!” I throw him a thumbs-up when he manages to slide the door closed.

“Don’t worry about what?” Gwen asks when she returns.

Smiling as innocently as I can, Gwen sighs in defeat, already knowing I’m about to recruit her for something crazy.

“All right, tell me what I have to do.”

Convincing Gwen was easy. Implementing the plan? Not so much. I’m starting to second-guess my idea of inviting nearly the entire football team, but Rome wanted to get to know some of his new teammates before practice starts next week. And we all know I’m a sucker when it comes to Rome. When Zack strolls through the front door, the backyard is booming with music and chatter. His deep ocean eyes gloss over in confusion when he walks into the kitchen.

“I thought this was supposed to be a small gathering.” My brother’s accusatory tone makes an entrance.

“It was, but Chrissy pulled a Chrissy,” Gwen says while peeking outside and pointing. “That doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

With a bottle of water in hand, I peer over her shoulder and scoff at Ash.

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