Colt cuts the engine and opens his door. Nix does the same while I remain motionless in my seat. Maybe I’m lucky, and they forgot I’m here.

Nix crushes my hope the next moment when he opens the back door. “Let’s go, Leni.”

I take one more deep, calming breath before I unbuckle and slide off the seat. As soon as I climb out of the truck, the drunken chattering around the pool dies down.

All eyes are on me as I walk barefoot over the lawn toward the small crowd of people. As I get closer, I recognize most of them. Bradley, Hunter, and Trent used to play football with Nix and Colt. Two other guys I know from my math and science classes.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Deborah’s shrill voice pierces through the air.

I glance over at her and immediately wish I didn’t. Piper. My once-best friend is standing right next to Deborah, staring at me in shock, just like most other people here.

“Don’t mind her. My dad made us bring her along. She’ll sit quietly by the pool. You won’t even know she’s here,” Nix explains as he shoves me toward the end of the pool.

I gladly follow his request and sit down on the chair far away from the rest of them. Pulling my legs up, I wrap my arms around my knees in hopes of preserving as much body heat as I can. It’s not particularly cold tonight, but it’s not warm either, and I’m barely wearing anything.

For a while, the party goes on, and everyone ignores my presence, which I am totally fine with. Bored, I watch the pool water move and count the tiles around the edge. I got to over one hundred when I catch someone walking in my direction from the corner of my eye.

“Here, drink this,” Nix holds a red Solo cup in front of my face.

I make no move to take it. “No, thank you.”

“Why do you have to make everything so difficult?”

“How am I being difficult just because I don’t want to drink? I didn’t ask you for this. I didn’t ask you for anything. You’re the one making everything difficult.”

“Suit yourself,” Nix growls and throws the cup to the ground like a toddler who doesn’t get his way. Its content spills over the deck, and ice cubes tumble into the water.

“God, you’re such a bitch. He only offered you a drink,” Deborah sneers from the other side of the pool. I ignore her, which doesn’t sit well with her. She is used to being the popular girl, and all the attention has to be on her all the time. Being ignored is the biggest insult to her. One she is not going to let go.