“Which is only a problem if I get caught.”

“Elizabeth, don’t be stupid. He’s not worth it.”

I take a sharp breath and stare dead into the camera. “Yes. He is.”

Jackie studies my face and sighs. “God damn it. You’re going to do this no matter what I say, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Fine, then let’s do this the smart way. I bet this guy’s stupid enough to write his email password down. What are the chances you can get into their house?”

* * * *

This is a bad idea.

This is a really bad idea.

This is a really terribly bad idea!

I stare up at the football house and push down the painful memories of Austin. The last time I came to one of these parties, it was to be with him. Now, bumping into Austin is my worst nightmare. I don’t want to see him. And I don’t want anyone to see me. I take a deep breath and try to remember the plan.

In and out. Quick and quiet. Ninja-style.

I glide in through the open door, making my way between the drunk coeds celebrating the end of the semester and the football season. We lost our last two games, the ones we played without Austin, but that doesn’t stop everyone from getting drunk. The party is in full swing, music cranked up and wall-to-wall people. It’s claustrophobic, suffocating. My heart is racing. I don’t belong here. I can’t believe I thought I could do this.

Calm down. You haven’t even done anything yet.

I roll my shoulders and mutter “Loosey-goosey,” under my breath. I can do this. No big deal. I’m just hanging out at a party. Nothing suspicious to see here. I bob my head along to the music, searching the room for Monte. If I’m going to search his room for a password, it’d be better if he wasn’t in it. I’m in luck. He’s lounging on the couch in the center of the living room, luxuriating in the attention of the rest of the team. He really is King of the Douchebags.

I wipe my sweaty hands on my skinny jeans and glance around to see if anyone is watching me. Nope. Invisible as always. For once, it’s a blessing. The music softens to a dull roar as I inch my way toward the bedrooms.

I stare down the never-ending hallway. Well, shit. There are about a million and one rooms and I have no idea which one belongs to Monte. This might take all night.