“Shag pad?” Chase barks a laugh. I want to turn and flee back down the hallway. Chase must have some kind of reputation that his mother isn’t happy about. “You scared her. Emily, come out here.”

“Emily?” Rebecca gasps. I step out from the hallway and give a stupid wave. Rebecca stares at me, shocked. That makes two of us.

“Chase gave me a ride last night. I drank too much. You know. Graduation blowout party. It was really sweet of him.” Rebecca folds her arms over her chest at my explanation. For a woman that is only a few inches over five feet with short, wavy reddish-brown hair and glasses, she somehow can come off as very intimidating. She’s not buying what I’m selling, which doesn’t shock me.

“You want to try that again?” She lifts a brow.

“Okay. In all honesty, your son kidnapped me from a party while I was dancing. Then he tossed someone into a pool before he made me eat and put me to bed.” I smirk, glaring over at Chase, thinking maybe he’ll be in trouble too. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Bossy Man.

“That sounds about right. Now when did you get the hickey?” I reach up and cover it up with my hand. I swear I can feel the embarrassment creeping up my neck. I’m gonna murder Chase when she leaves.

“That was me. A few minutes before you got here.”

“Chase!” I shout. He did not say that to his mom.

“This isn’t what you think.” I rush to clear things up. “We woke up, and things got a bit out of hand.”

“Well, I’m sorry I interrupted.” She turns to Chase. I gape at both of them. “Will you two be going to the party together tonight?”

“No!” I can’t stop shouting for some reason. “I have a date.”

“If you do, he's a dead man walking,” Chase says dryly. Rebecca laughs. She actually laughs. What is happening here?

“I should go. I was only dropping off your tux.” She motions to a garment bag draped over the leather sofa. “I have a million things to get done before the party. I’m actually meeting up with Grace.”

“Oh God, please don’t tell her about any of this. Please,” I start to beg.