Page 20 of Stray
No part of me wanted to go to this graveyard party anymore. The thought of seeing Stray again so soon made me angry. It also filled me with a sick anticipation. This was already getting out of hand. I needed to find a way to put a stop to this whole screwed up situation.
Anger drove me as I did my hair and makeup. Soft curls that fell down my back along with perfect eyeliner and pale pink lips. After eyeing every single item in my closet several times, I pulled out a short leather skirt. It went perfectly with my black sleeveless one strap top and knee-high boots.
I looked damn good and I knew it. My outfit had been chosen with only one goal in mind. To drive Stray a little crazy from afar. I had no intention of speaking to him tonight. As far as I was concerned, he didn’t exist.
As soon as Athena saw my outfit, she laughed. “Trying to send a certain someone a message, huh?”
I saw no point in denying it. “Maybe. He can see what he’s missing.”
“Brutal. He’ll be sorry he messed with you. Do these shoes look okay with this outfit or should I wear the beige pair instead?” Athena held up a beige pair of kitten heels. She wore a pair of dressy pinstriped pants with a white blouse and black heels.
“I like the black. It’s more commanding.”
It was after ten when our Uber dropped us off at the graveyard. Dozens of people were already there. My stomach clenched tight, the pizza I’d eaten turning uneasily. Even though I’d seen Stray only hours ago, knowing he would be here set loose a thousand butterflies in my stomach. What I needed now was alcohol.
The graveyard was a popular party place. An abandoned church filled with battered pews took up part of the property. The rest of it was an old forgotten graveyard with crumbling headstones that backed onto a forest. Wintervale’s forgotten church had become the Graveyard Kings’ domain.
Shortly before classes let out for summer, River Harris was found dead in the forest here. He’d been the leader of Venom, the criminals for hire who ran the warehouse raves. Venom and the Graveyard Kings were no strangers to conflict.
River had made the mistake of messing with Storm. I think we all knew that Rebel had killed him. There had been no proof tying him to the crime, and anyone who knew a damn thing wasn’t talking. We’d all moved on like it hadn’t happened, although I suspected the remaining members of Venom had not forgotten.
I glanced toward the forest, feeling creeped out as I wondered if River’s ghost lurked here. Athena took my hand and pulled me along in search of our friends, chasing the eerie thought away.
It didn’t take long for us to find the girls and get drinks in our hands. I sucked down half my vodka and Sprite, needing tochase away the butterflies and set my mind at ease. Drinking and laughing with my girls helped to forget about Stray.
Until I saw him.
He stood outside the church with Rebel and Casper. He wore the same jeans and T-shirt from earlier. His hair shoved back like he’d been running his hands through it. That wasn’t what captivated me though. It was the genuine smile on his face as he laughed with his friends. The way it changed his entire expression and made his eyes light up.
Even though I knew I was staring, I couldn’t drag my gaze away. I regretted that when he turned my way, our eyes locking. There was a moment of sheer intensity. The sound of the party faded away. All I saw was Stray.
The way he made me feel with a mere look was almost enough to make me weep in frustration. I hated the way I wanted him. I hated that I couldn’t make it stop.
But what I hated most of all was the way he tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing before he dismissed me entirely. With a lazy half shrug, he turned his back to me, giving his full attention to his friends.
What the hell just happened? There’s no way he did that. To me?
Fine. Two could play that game. Swallowing down the bitterness that swelled inside me, I sipped from my drink and laughed along as Ripley told us a story about a ridiculous customer she had to deal with at work. She was a server at a local restaurant.
Eventually Rebel lured Storm away. She excused herself with a giggle before bounding into her fiancé’s arms. Athena was the next to disappear after spotting a football player she’d had her eye on.
I continue to sneak glances in Stray’s direction. He’d moved around the party, mingling with various groups. Morethan one girl had approached him. That’s when I forced myself to look away. No way in hell would I let him think I was jealous.
When Luna and Ripley snuck off to find a private place in the forest to pee, I found myself alone. I took a seat on a bench beneath an overhanging tree. It wasn’t long before one of the football players approached me. Like most of them, he wore a jacket with the team’s logo on the back. That kind of thing didn’t impress me. However, tonight I would make it work.
I felt Stray’s gaze upon me as the football player helped himself to the free space next to me. Despite his efforts to convince me that he didn’t give a damn, he sure noticed fast when someone else showed an interest in me.
“Hey, Codie, you’re looking good tonight. What are you drinking? Can I get you another?” Danny was a relatively nice guy. We’d spoken here and there at parties and the occasional football game when Athena dragged me along. Other than an occasional flirtation, I didn’t know him all that well.
“Thank you.” I flashed him a coy smile, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m good, thanks. Just waiting for Luna and Ripley. How’ve you been?”
Even though I didn’t care all that much for small talk, I was exceptionally good at faking my way through it. Saying the right things, smiling in the right places. Making people feel like what they said mattered. Danny had no problem talking about the upcoming football season and his goals for the team.
“I hope to see you at some of the games,” Danny said, sliding closer on the bench. “Maybe you can be my good luck charm.”
I had absolutely no interest in being anyone’s good luck charm. Danny was a perfectly nice guy. With his short blonde hair and broad football player build, he was perfect for girls who loved jocks. Unfortunately, my tastes tended to veer darker.
“I’m not sure I would be much luck, but I’ll try to make it to a game or two this season. I’m sure you guys will do great.” I glanced past Danny to where Stray stood several yards away with Dominik. To my utter delight, Stray clenched his hands into fists, his jaw tight with anger.
