Changing the Rules (Richter Book 1)(84)

“I’m actually surprised she let me out,” Ally said after the conversation about the lack of liquor.

Claire, Jax, Ally, and Elsie were spread out around the living room. They had the music on, food everywhere, and books pushed aside.

“What did you do that got you busted last weekend?” Claire asked.

“I went to a party.”

“We knew that,” Elsie teased.

“It was last minute. I shouldn’t have gone.”

Claire was halfway through a piece of pizza. “Did it suck?”

“Hundred percent. I was told there’d be a bunch of kids from Auburn. I get there and I only recognize a few people. Nobody I really know.”

“Where was it?” Claire asked.

“Up in the foothills.”

“I hate going to parties when I don’t know someone,” Elsie said.

“That’s why you only go to parties with your friends. Always take a wingman, right, Claire?” Jax said.

“I never leave home without one.”

“I thought I had one. Louisa is the one who suggested it. When I get there I can’t find her. I think she ran off with her boyfriend. Totally ditched me.”

“Do I know Louisa?” Jax asked.

“No. She goes to junior college in Glendale.”

“That’s kinda far away, isn’t it?”

“She was supposed to be helping me with my algebra. She was harder to understand than my teacher. So when she said my favorite word, party, I’m like, let’s go. I get there, and it just didn’t feel right.”

Claire thought of Ally’s picture in the garbage can. Thought of Marie. “Don’t do that again,” Claire told her.

Ally didn’t bother arguing. “I won’t. I only drank half a beer and called an Uber. Halfway home I felt completely wasted.”

“Oh my God, someone totally slipped something in your drink.” Elsie said what they were all thinking.

Ally kept nodding. “Scared the crap out of me. That’s the kind of thing that happens to other people. I didn’t survive my mom to end up like her.” The girl had tears in her eyes.

Jax reached over and put a hand over hers. “You’re not your mom.”

Ally took her napkin and wiped her eyes. “My mom was always high. She was so embarrassing. But all of us have been to a party, we have a little fun. Is it the same thing?”

“There are a lot of adults out there who drink that aren’t alcoholics,” Claire told her.

Elsie sat up. “I’d rather hang out with you guys, and if we score some beer, great. Otherwise we get carb drunk and talk about guys.”

Ally leaned her head on Jax’s shoulder.

“You were smart enough to get away, Ally. And the Uber is even better.” Claire glanced over at the cable receiver where the camera was hidden. Although the team had probably already hacked into Ally’s account and were tracing that address.

“You can call me anytime for a ride,” Jax offered.

“That goes for all of us.”

“Thanks, guys. I just feel really dumb.” The girl was still tearful. Claire hoped she’d be that way for a while and never get caught like that again.

“Learn a lesson, but don’t beat yourself up too much. It could have happened to any one of us.”

Ally got herself together. “If I don’t do some homework, my grandmother isn’t going to let me come here.”

Jax jumped to her feet and took the pizza box off the table, and Elsie and Ally pulled out their books.

“I got you covered. Algebra is easy for me,” Claire said.

Ally moved to the couch, sat next to her. “Did Sean really ask you to prom and you said no?”

“Of course.”

“Why? He’s super cute,” Ally asked.

“Because you dig him. Friends don’t do that.”

It looked like Ally was going to cry again.

“I also told him I liked girls, so don’t tell him otherwise.”

Claire saw Jax standing in the kitchen laughing.

“Why did you do that?” Elsie asked.

“Because once you’re playing for the same team, guys open up. Then I told him you thought he was hot. If he doesn’t ask you to prom, I might have to kick his ass.”

Jax returned, sat on the floor.

“It’s high school, people will talk.” Elsie grabbed a handful of chips.

“The less you worry about what other people think, the sooner you’ll live a happy life.”

Elsie threw a chip at her. “You’re such a dork.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE


Cooper stretched out in Claire’s bed and waited for her to get home. Maybe he was pushing the boundaries, but then again, they hadn’t set those up yet.

He watched the monitor feed from the front door and knew when it opened it was Claire and Jax.

He’d parked on the street, so she wouldn’t be surprised he was there.

The girls chatted as they ascended the stairs, their voices softened as Claire approached the closed door to her room. He heard them saying good night before she walked in.

“I thought you’d be asleep?”

He lifted up on an elbow. “Not a chance.”