Chapter Nine_Connor

Because the vibes were right – The answer she gave me when I asked why she let me into her space. She sounded like Ariela. The rest of that night was fun, Huntleigh and I talked for a good bit while the guys played pool, and they waited for Harry and Lorren to get back. The plan was for Harry and Lorren to get Jake home, and Kinnley was going to get Huntleigh and Drew home. He’d done it a million times over; it wasn’t his first rodeo. I helped him get Huntleigh to the front seat of his truck. Trent and Drew sat on the sidewalk vaping while exchanging stories of wild nights out.

We all made it home about the same time that night. Though I wasn’t quite expecting it Kinnley and I bumped into each other the next day. He handed me an envelope with my name on it.

“What is this?” I ask raising an eyebrow.

“Invitation to the house party. Figured I’d give it to you on my way out since Huntleigh is currently remembering what being crossfaded does to her body.” Kinnley laughs. “I shouldn’t laugh it’s not funny. One of us is going to have to make sure she’s awake for her appointment later. Someone being me, Harry or Lorren.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, you haven’t met her friends. You know the band and how protective they are of my sister, but you’ve not met her friends and experienced that level of chaos.” He smiles. “Milo and Bell will try to run you off. That bunch is a mess. Oh and she’ll be giving you the tickets/armbands for the book release party. She got you two so you can bring someone.”

“Oh, I was going to buy it?”

“It’s sold-out man. Packed house. She wanted to make sure you didn’t miss a chance. Huntleigh doesn’t usually do things like that…don’t let it slip away, alright?”

“Are you telling me to go for it?” I ask uncertain as this boy literally punched someone in the face over this girl and he’s been in countless fights over his sister and now this?

“I’m telling you not to be an idiot and don’t get spooked or something. I don’t know. Just don’t break her heart, okay?”

“Okay.”

The house party was Saturday night. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it all day. Even if Trent did give me a hard time because he didn’t get an invite.

“Don’t you have a date tonight anyway?” I tease him.

“So! I still want to feel included.”

“I’m not texting McKinnley and asking him to make his sister invite you. I’ll ask for next time I’m sure it was just because the invitations were done before she met you.”

“Fine, but if you get a party favor, I want it.”

“What makes you think-

“She’s a party planner!”

“God you’re such a child.” I laugh.

“Mhm but you love me.”

He was right, I do love him. I have since we were kids. He’s my best friend. Trent understood me more than my own family most nights. At least that’s how it felt. But to be honest looking back, I think they got me more than I understood.

When my shift was finally over, I was elated to go home and change. Luckily, my next stop was literally right next door. When I pulled into my driveway, I was – well I wasn’t sure if I was shocked or if I was expecting it. Either way it was rather humorous, Huntleigh was standing in the bed of someone’s truck, a third gen dodge, red and lifted. Wearing a cowboy hat, short shorts, a red and white polka dot bikini top and cowboy boots. Music was blasting from somewhere and there were a few different trucks and sports cars in her front yard; a blacked out challenger, a baby blue Bronco, a maroon ford f-150 one of the older ones, a blue four door jeep, and a cherry red corvette? Who are this girl’s friends? When I got out of the truck I could hear the music better.

“She’s not even drunk and she’s in the sadshit!” A guy says climbing up in the bed of the truck with her. “What are you doing up here?”

“I’m having fun, duh! It’s my party. Ahh, I’m so glad you’re home! It’s not sad! It’s FUN! OH TAYLOR ACORN! TURN IT UP.”

“Anyone else find it concerning she can pick an artist’s voice from a lineup?!?” The guy asks, tapping her and nodding his head towards me as I get out with all my things, whispering something to her and she nods.

“Hey Cowboy! You gonna come over later still?” She asks, gesturing for me to come over. “This is Milo, Milo, this is Connor.” She introduces us as she squats down.

“Nice to meet you.” I smile. “And yes, I will be back over in just a minute, figured I’d freshen up first so I don’t smell like dog.” I laugh.

“Yeah man, that’s fair.” Milo nods taking her hat. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Okay well, take your time we’ll be here, but um, do you know the other neighbors that we have? I tried to invite them, but no one answered the door?” She says with a smile.

“They’re out of town, their daughter just checks in on the place. But I can introduce you guys when they get back.”

“That would be great! Okay, I’ll leave you alone so you can go get your stuff done. Sorry!”

“You’re fine.”

“She’s not sorry!” Milo teases as he goes back to teasing her more in the way Drew had the night, I’d first met him. “Cowboy? Cowboy!”

I stole one more glance over there as I was unlocking my house, and Hasley was playing to see Huntleigh and Milo dancing in the truck bed as a Camero pulled up. This was going to be one hell of a party. And she says she’s boring?

If you read to the end thank you so much! As always I hope you have a lovely day or night whenever you are reading this and don’t forget to show the post some love or share it with someone you think might enjoy it! Thank you all so much, it means the world every time :))