Page 107 of Stealing for Keeps
I wait a beat to see if Torrance will introduce herself, but she doesn’t, so I add, “Lacey, this is Austin’s sister, Torrance.”
Sophie’s phone rings. She rolls her eyes, “Oh my gosh. It’s my mom again. I’ll be right back.”
She takes off with her phone to her ear, strutting through the party in her heels. All the guys watch her go. I can’t even blame them. Her skirt is so short,I’mhaving a hard time looking away.
Torrance has never once spoken directly to me, but she leans forward like we’re the best of friends. “Oh my gosh, wouldn’t they be so cute together?”
“Who?” Lacey asks.
“Austin and Sophie. She’s so pretty, right?”
Lacey scoffs next to me. Torrance might be acting like a bitch, but I don’t want her to know she’s getting to me.
“Yeah, she is.” I swallow around the tightening in my throat. “Excuse me. I think I want some pizza.”
Lacey comes with me but doesn’t say a word until we’re inside.
“Okay, so not Disney.”
“She’s just pissed at her brother for uprooting her life.”
“More wicked queen than princess.” Lacey’s reassuring half smile makes me feel worse. “Since when did they become friends?”
“I don’t know.”
Lacey shoots a glare in their direction. “Do you want to go?”
“No way. It’s his birthday. Who cares if Sophie is here looking gorgeous and Torrance is playing matchmaker?”
“You’regorgeous.”
A small laugh eases the tension in my chest. “Thanks.”
We avoid Torrance and Sophie, but I don’t get to see a lot of Austin as the night continues either.
Around ten, the guys lose interest in the games and all start to take seats around the patio. They have a game tomorrow, and curfew is eleven.
“We should play truth or dare,” Sophie says. I haven’t seen her or Austin interact much tonight, but she smiles at him now.
My stomach is a ball of nerves. What if someone dares me to kiss Austin? What if he gets dared to kiss someone else, like Sophie? The thought makes me want to throw up.
“Hell yeah!” Barrett says.
Most of the guys jump in as well. I catch Austin’s eye across the room. He shrugs. Maybe I’m making too big a deal out of it.
“What about you, birthday boy?” Rowan asks, slapping him on the shoulder.
“Yeah, all right.”
We get in a circle for the game. Sophie goes first and dares Barrett to take off his shirt. It’s cold outside, but he whips it off and tosses it at her.
“His nipples could cut glass,” Lacey says next to me.
We giggle, and the game continues. Barrett dares Brandon to kiss Torrance.
“No way,” he says. “I’m not making out with anyone but my girlfriend.”
“Fine, fine.” Barrett changes it to them kissing, and they go at it so long that we all cheer and catcall them.
