Page 16 of What Are the Chances
By all accounts, there’d been a high chance we’d grow up hating each other. Our mothers did. Dad had been dating Tanner’s mum in college. In his senior year, she’d fallen pregnant. Around the same time, he’d cheated on her with my mum.
Suddenly dad had two pregnant women bailing him up. But instead of taking responsibility, he’d done the most selfish thing he could – bailed on them both. Which in turn meant he’d bailed on Tanner and me too.
Tanner’s eyes searched mine, pleadingly. “I can get you tickets in the Allentown fan section with Brooklyn and Marnie.”
If Tanner hadn’t brought dad into this, I’d already have said no.
Phil-U’s hockey arena seated eight-thousand people. With the game on Saturday night, it was guaranteed to sell out. As one in eight-thousand people, my chances of bumping into someone I didn’t want to see were low.
Like Will Caufield. Or his popular friends. Or his beautiful girlfriend.
I heaved a defeated sigh. “I’ll be there.”
CHAPTER TEN
Enemy territory
RILEY
Tanner’s eyebrows notched high when we pulled up to the campground. Mine did too. It was like a mini festival. Along with multiple campfires, there were fairy lights strung from the tall trees as well as a DJ and full dance floor. Countless tents and cars were parked about the place, making it impossible to spot Parker’s dad’s van.
“This looks fun,” Tanner moaned, evidently envious he couldn’t go out tonight. “Who did you say Parker was dating again?”
“I didn’t. I don’t know.”
Clearly some rich kid based on the food truck and makeshift bar.
I’d made sure to eat as much as possible at the diner so it would see me through until the morning. Turns out that had been in vain. It smelt delicious here.
“Ugh. I really don’t want to go in,” I grumbled.
Tanner smiled encouragingly. “Come on. You’ll have fun.” At my pout he added, “But if you really aren’t having a good time, call me and I’ll come back.”
I beamed. “You’re the best.”
“I know. Now get out of here.”
I left the safety net and warmth of his car, slamming the door behind me. Outside the music was even louder, and countless voices competed to be heard over it.
I pulled out my phone. I’d sent Parker a message when Tanner and I left the diner, and again when we were five minutes away. She hadn’t responded to either.
Facing the party now, my legs were hesitating more than they did before starting a run. I wasn’t against parties. In fact, I quite liked them. But I preferred those on my territory, when I knew the people and what to expect. Something about this party felt different, like I was walking into enemy territory. Or perhaps I was just on edge since my run in with Will. In my head, I’d mentally killed him off. Seeing him again had thrown me, like being told the earth is actually flat.
No way, what do you mean Will Caufield is alive and breathing and still nauseatingly amazing to look at?!
Great.Now I was thinking about Will. Not a good start.
I edged into the party, passing a group of people huddled around one of the many campfires. Not only did Iwantto find Parker, Ineededto find her. The shacket I was wearing was not sufficient. I needed my puffer coat or I was going to freeze to death, though looking for her was like looking for a needle in a haystack. When she’d invited me camping, I’d envisioned maybe a couple of dozen people. This was more like one hundred. Whoever she was dating had quite the fan base.
“Yo, Riley.”
My gaze snapped up as I searched around for the voice. Hayes Braddock, Phil-U’s soccer captain, was waving at me. Appreciative for the familiar face, I made my way over.
Hayes was majoring in Exercise Physiology, so we crossed paths in some classes. We’d also hooked up, and by hooked up I meant slept together without kissing. Because, you know, he was post-Will and all that.
I returned his hug, marvelling at the temporary warmth another body gave me. Hayes was six-foot, just. When I hugged Will, my head barely reached his chest – and why the hell was I comparing Hayes to Will? I ought to kill my course counsellor. Now Will had been thrust back into my life, I couldn’t pretend he didn’t exist anymore.
“Who are you here with?” Hayes asked.
