True Colors (The Masks #1)(24)

The layers fell away before I could stop them. I was too intrigued to fight it...and the intrigue quickly morphed to concern.

Carter’s gaze wasn’t leering; if anything, he actually looked a little reluctant to be doing what he was doing. It wasn’t until the reluctance fell away that I noticed the malicious gaze beneath it. What was he up to?

“Liam’s parties are always the best and he’s having it at Indie’s place, which is, you know, a mansion. We’ll have a great time.”

“I’d love to come.”

My insides hitched as I studied Libby’s face. She was ecstatic that Carter was even talking to her, let alone inviting her to a party. Part of her couldn’t believe it was true, but it was being overridden by her desperate need for acceptance. Her slight fear was shunted aside by a dreamlike euphoria.

I got it. I mean Carter was hot. Liam’s parties were amazing, if not a little overwhelming, and Libby had never been invited to anything like this before. She always tried to tag along, but I’d never seen her at a Liam Donovan party. Whether she chickened out at the last minute or was turned away at the door, I didn’t know. Judging from the current look on her face, she’d be chickening out over her dead body. With Carter taking her rather than showing up on her own, it would be a given.

The question was, why was Carter taking her? What did he really want?

The black gleam in his eyes scared me. He was up to something, and although Libby and I weren’t super-close, there was no way I wanted to see her get hurt. She was a sweetie and didn’t deserve whatever Carter and his friends had planned. I knew him well enough to know he wasn’t working alone.

I had to do something about it.

Swallowing back my nerves, I approached Libby’s locker just as Carter was walking away. I figured Libby would be the easier one to talk to. If I tried to call Carter on anything, he’d probably tell me to go screw myself. He was on the basketball team with Chase and Sean. A bunch of good-looking guys who thought they ruled the school. Most girls swooned...just like I had. Spotting Chase’s true feelings had helped stunt my deluded admiration.

“Hey Libby.” I kept my voice light and casual, not wanting to scare her.

“Oh, hey Caitlyn.”

Her smile was nearly blinding.

“Did I just see Carter Hanson ask you out?” It was really unlike me to get straight to the point. I had dancing around the bush down to an art form, but the bell was about to ring and I knew if I went for small talk I’d lose my nerve altogether.

“Yeah,” Libby breathed. “He’s taking me to Liam’s party on Friday. Everyone’s going there after the game.”

It was pretty standard. Friday night basketball was often followed up with some sort of event - normally to celebrate the win, sometimes to blow off steam. I knew Stella would drag me along this Friday. She never missed Liam’s parties. He was a bit of a legend at this school. He and his girlfriend Indie were the couple that everyone wanted to be like.

“That’s cool.” I nodded. “But um...” How did I say this?

I glanced at Libby’s expression, she was nervous about what I was going to say, in spite of her smile.

“I don’t want to sound rude or anything, I just wanted to make sure you’re comfortable going with Carter.”

“What do you mean?” Her nerves were picking up big time. I had to get this out quickly.

“Well, he’s not really...I mean you guys don’t really hang out much. Don’t you think it’s weird that he’s suddenly asking you out?”

“What are you saying?” Nerves were being replaced with anger. It was a jittery anger fueled by her underlying insecurity and I really didn’t like it, but how could I not say something?

“Libby, I don’t know if you were aware of this, but when he was talking to you, he looked kind of...untrustworthy. I can’t help wondering if he’s up to something. I’m worried you might get hurt.”

“Worried? You’re worried about me? Really?”

Shame crept over me. She was right. I’d never given a rat’s ass before. I’d always just stayed quiet as my friends made her feel like pond scum. She’d have to be blind not to see through their plastic smiles. You didn’t need any kind of super power to pick up the get lost vibes that radiated off them whenever Libby was around.

“You know what, Caitlyn, I think you’re jealous.”

“Of what?”

“Carter liking me. I know you and Chase broke up and now you’re probably on the prowl for someone new.”

On the prowl? Was she kidding me right now? That was so not my style.

“Libby, I’m not trying to take Carter off you. I don’t even like Carter...like that. I’m just not sure if he’s being honest with you.”

I was sure. I was 100 percent freaking sure, but I couldn’t say that to her.

Libby’s face bunched up tight, her obvious and hidden emotions blending together. I tried to put back the layers, not wanting to see how much I hurt her. I finally managed to settle on an indignant anger, which wasn’t exactly fun to look at either.

“You know what, Caitlyn. You can have any guy you want. You hang with Stella and Indie and all the cool girls, so it’s not hard for you. Why would you want to take this from me?”