Page 3 of The Mistakes You Make
Sky always had big dreams to get out of the Creek just like I did. Only her life and her plans didn’t quite go the way mine did.
I have my mom to thank for everything. If we were still here, still living in Dad’s damp old trailer, then I doubt that I’d have ever had a shot at a college like Columbia. No doubt I’d be at community college and enjoying it about as much as Sky’s face shows she really is.
“I’ll go and get you ladies more drinks.” Matt nods at Harley who’s been standing beside me awkwardly listening to this conversation as if she’s a part of it.
“Baby Hunter, how’s it going?” Sky asks. “Bry is around here somewhere.” She looks around for her little brother but with the number of bodies filling her house, it’s no surprise she doesn’t spot him.
“I’m sure I’ll catch up with him. Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
Matt quickly reappears with some very strong drinks for us and after a few minutes, Flo Rida pumps through the speakers and we forget our shouted conversation in favor of moving to the beat.
Matt pulls Sky’s ass into his crotch and they move together in perfect sync while I dance with Harley.
“You need to slow down,” I warn. We’ve only had a couple of drinks but already her eyes are looking a little wild.
“I’m good. Just enjoy yourself.”
“I know you’re on edge about this, but it will be fine.” Discreetly, I look over her shoulder, not feeling as confident with my statement as I should.
Sky assured me that he wasn’t going to be here. But looking at this house right now, almost every teenager in the Creek has turned up. Why wouldn’t he show his face?
Swallowing down my unease with a large mouthful of vodka. I turn my attention to dancing and enjoying myself.
I’m not scared of him. And I have every right to be here for my friend’s birthday.
One song blurs into the next until the back of my neck is hot with sweat and I’ve got a nice buzz going on thanks to Matt’s attentiveness in supplying us and the birthday girl with drinks.
“I need to pee,” Harley shouts in my ear. “I’m gonna—”
“I’ll come,” I say, slipping my hand into hers.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she snaps.
“I’m aware.” She might be my little sister, but we’re all Creek kids. No matter our age, we know how to look after ourselves, and these kinds of wild parties aren’t new to us. “I need to go too.”
We drop our empty cups in the kitchen before making our way toward the upstairs bathroom in the hope there’s less of a line.
There’s not.
“Ugh,” Harley complains when she sees the length of it. “One good thing about the houses in Rosewood… the extra bathrooms.”
She’s not wrong. Everything about our lives in Rosewood—the next, more wealthy town over—is a world away from this place.
“Sky seems happy,” Harley says, changing the subject. Most people are looking at us as if we don’t belong, we really don’t need to be standing here obviously discussing the difference between this shithole town and our new one.
Thankfully, the line goes pretty quick, and not too long later we’re back with Sky with fresh drinks and Bry in tow when Harley literally bumped into him on the way to the kitchen.
He smiles at her like she’s the most incredible thing he’s ever seen. It’s no secret that Sky’s little brother has always had a crush on my little sister. Sadly though, the feelings are not mutual and Harley friend-zoned him a long time ago.
But thanks to the vodka pumping through her veins, she allows him to pull her into his body and they dance together effortlessly.
I push aside the fact no one has made a beeline to dance with me and immediately push the thoughts of one person from my head. He’s not going to be here tonight, in-person or in my imagination.
I down my drink and focus on the music.
I’ll be out of here tomorrow afternoon and heading back to New York. I can put this place, all my memories and mistakes behind me and continue with my new life as if this little visit never happened.
