“Yeah. We just wanted it to be us for a little while,” I added.
“Then sit down and enjoy yourselves,” Scarlet insisted.
Alexander and I returned to our seats. I guess the girls expected a Mansion-size party. I couldn’t break the news to them that they were the guest list.
“How about we crank up the tunes,” Sebastian suggested.
“Yes, we love to dance,” Scarlet said.
Sebastian turned up the music and the five of us rocked as hard as we could.
“It looks like you’re having a great time,” I said to Sebastian as I danced next to him.
“I am.”
“Do you think you’d like to ask one of them out?”
“I guess.” But Sebastian’s voice wasn’t confident. Even though he was having a blast, I sensed Sebastian was still carrying a torch for Becky.
The music’s volume suddenly lowered. We stopped to discover Jameson standing by the sound system.
“Complaints from the neighbors?” Alexander asked, concerned.
“Alexander,” Jameson announced, “you have some guests.”
“Guests?” I asked.
Alexander was just as confused.
“I’ll only be a moment,” he said, excusing himself.
“I guess they’re here,” Scarlet said. “We’ll chat later.”
I was curious what guests were arriving. Since Onyx, Scarlet, and Sebastian were engaged in conversation, I, too, excused myself.
I sped through the kitchen, down the long, haunting hallway, and found Alexander at the front door. I couldn’t tell whom he was talking to, so I sneaked up close and peered out.
I spotted Becky’s truck in the driveway.
What was she doing here? Was she in trouble?
It was then I noticed Trevor’s Camaro parked behind the truck.
I wedged myself between the entranceway and Alexander to find Matt fuming at the foot of the stoop.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Are you all right?”
Matt, normally upbeat and smiling, was brandishing a frown. Behind him was Trevor and a team of soccer snobs.
“What are they doing here?” I asked Alexander.
Matt glared at me coldly.
“It’s okay,” Alexander said to me.
“Where’s Becky?” I asked. “Is she all right?”
“I thought you were my friend, Alexander,” Matt said sternly.
Alexander didn’t move. “I am,” he said calmly. “What’s this all about, Matt?”
“Your houseguest.”
“He’s out back.”
“Well, he better stay there.”
“Is something wrong?” Alexander asked.
“You bet. Your best friend has been hitting on my girlfriend,” Matt challenged.
Alexander shook his head. His best friend had gotten him into a mess. “That’s just Sebastian’s way. He didn’t mean any harm.”
“Did you know that after Sebastian met Becky at Hatsy’s he texted her all night?” Matt asked.
“Not at the time. I’m not with him every minute.”
“Sebastian sent the flowers to Becky. Not Raven. Did you know that?”
“No—or I would have stopped him.”
“But you did find out.”
“Yes.”
“So were you going to tell me?”
“There wasn’t a need to. We had it resolved.”
“Really? Did you know he had the nerve to show up at her house?”
“He did?” Alexander said. “I thought he bumped into her in town.”
“And all the time you both were laughing and encouraging him,” Matt said, annoyed.
“Now, take it easy. I never laughed, and I most certainly didn’t encourage him. It was just the opposite.”