Page 39 of Stroke of Fate

Biting back a smile, I shake my head. Of course he’d do something like that.

I spend a good fifteen minutes searching for Macy and Elsie. I don’t find them anywhere inside the house, and to make matters worse, I catch Sadie’s eye at one point while she’s talking to Finn. She shoots me a dirty look, which I ignore before her attention drifts back to him.

Huh. I must’ve missed the part where I offended her.

Thankfully, when I look outside, I spot Macy and Elsie huddled near an outdoor heater.

“There you are. We weren’t sure if we should send out a search party,” Macy teases with a grin.

“Sorry, time slipped away, and we talked for longer than I thought.”

“Who? And if it’s a guy, is he hot?” Elsie wags her brows.

“Yeah.” I flush, thinking of Levi. “Very hot.”

It feels nice to admit that out loud. Attraction doesn’t have to mean anything more. Still, something feels different after our conversation, in a good way. Maybe now we can be friends, or at least friendly neighbors.

Elsie pokes me playfully on the shoulder. “You better tell us about it. But first, we were thinking of playing a round of beer pong. You game?”

“Sounds fun. Let’s do it.”

Three beer-pong tables are lined up further back in the yard, and we make a beeline for the only empty one.

We’re mid-conversation when Macy abruptly stops. Elsie and I slow our steps, turning to look at her. Her carefreeexpression is gone. She’s glaring at someone. And if looks could kill…

When I follow her gaze, I see it’s locked on Levi’s friend. The one with the tattoos and green eyes. Mack, if I remember correctly. A girl hovers by his side as he talks animatedly to two guys who must be twins based on their similar appearances. Levi isn’t among them, and I can’t help but wonderwhohe’s with. Not that it should matter. But I can’t pretend it doesn’t.

Oblivious to our stares, the girl inches closer to Mack and whispers something in his ear that makes him smile down at her and wink.

Macy mutters something incoherent under her breath. I’m about to ask her if she wants to leave, but she beats me to it.

“You know what? How about those Jell-O shots?”

“Are you sure? You said you didn’t want to…” Elsie trails off, throwing me a helpless look. I shrug, just as lost.

“Positive. Come on, it’ll be fun. We’re at a party.” Macy’s smile is strained, and her excitement seems forced as if she’s trying hard not to cry or throw something.

Without waiting for a response, she spins on her heel and heads back the way we came.

“Oh-kay, that was weird,” Elsie says as we watch her go.

“Yeah,” I nod. “Let’s go before we lose her.”

Macy leads us back to the same spot where we started the night and slides three green, jiggly shots toward us.

The smooth, semi-solid liquid glides down my throat far easier than the tequila shots we took earlier. So much easier that I don’t hesitate to have another. And then another.

“Macy Greer, you’re a bad influence,” Elsie giggles.

“Hey now, I’m just trying to make this a fun night for Bear.” Macy retorts, grinning.

The shine is back in her eyes, and whatever upset her outside is forgotten.

“Don’t you dare pin any future hangovers on me. This is all you, Macy,” I laugh as the alcohol warms me up.

“Promise. But you’re having fun, right?”

“Yes. Thanks for letting me tag along,” I say, a sudden wave of unexpected happiness washing over me.

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