Code

CHAPTER 26

IMAGES FLICKERED IN my brain.

Twisted metal. Flashing lights. Broken glass.

A police officer standing in the doorway, unable to meet my eyes.

Mom.

As casually as possible, I placed my glass back on the counter, just as Shelton finished choking down his shot.

“Sorry, Jason.” I hoped my voice didn’t falter. “I don’t drink. I hope that’s okay.”

Jason blinked. Then he sprang forward and swept the glass out of sight.

“Of course, no problem!” He laughed awkwardly. “More for the rest of us, right?”

I smiled, hoping my façade didn’t crack. I desperately wanted to fit in, but wasn’t going to bend on this point. I’d made a promise to myself. I intended to keep it.

Jason snagged my elbow and steered me away from the crowd. The rest of the partygoers had already forgotten me, getting back to their previous conversations. No one seemed to mind that I’d backed out.

“You play cards?” Jason asked. I could tell he wanted to change the subject.

“Hardly ever,” I admitted.

His cocky grin appeared. “Well, I’m unbeatable. Stick with me.”

“And I’m out!” I threw down three queens. “President again! Third term.”

Good-natured groans erupted around the table.

Beginner’s luck. I didn’t know the rules, but was winning anyway. Beside me, Jason began cackling like a hyena.

I sipped a Diet Coke, keeping one eye on Shelton and Hi, who had somehow ended up at the beer pong table.

Shelton looked relaxed, no doubt a result of the booze. Hi was talking nonstop. Both were surprisingly good at hitting cups, and were riding a two-game winning streak.

Their Cinderella run had made Shelton and Hi popular with the older guys. The two were joking and talking trash, seemingly holding their own.

For some reason, this made me proud. What an odd thought.

“I’ll be last out again,” Jason muttered. “My cards are terrible.” He slid an accusatory glance my way. “Why didn’t you pass me that ace?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re supposed to be coaching me.”

“And yet, she’s crushing us,” said a red-haired boy across the table. “Unreal.”

I winked, happy to blend in. I’d finally started to unwind. Who knew parties could be fun?

Shelton and Hi had avoided more shots, but were holding beer-filled Solo cups. Holding had often led to sipping. I was toting my soft drink as cover. Somehow the three of us had been sucked into drinking games. Even me, although Jason was covering my losses as well as his own. The other players didn’t care either way.

I hoped the boys were being as careful as I was.

From the looks of things, they weren’t.

The hand ended, and Jason began gathering cards. “No more help for the genius. You’ve embarrassed us long enough.”

My smile widened. “Oh, poor baby.”

I checked for Ben, found him in the same spot by the keg. At that moment he was alone, staring into his cup.

Don’t leave him by himself.

“I’m quitting while I’m ahead.” Ignoring Jason’s protests, I rose and walked across the patio.

“Hey,” I said cheerfully.

Ben didn’t look up. “Hey. Having fun assimilating?”

“Ben, come on. They aren’t that bad. Even Shelton and Hi are having fun.”

I glanced back at the beer pong table. Shelton and Hi had finally lost, and were chugging their opponent’s remaining cups. Other players were cheering them on.

“Those two are going to be wasted.” I tried not to judge. “We’ll have to sneak them by their parents.”

“They’re acting like idiots.” Ben was glassy-eyed, his voice surly.

I wondered how many beers he’d downed.

“You think those people really like us?” Ben blurted. “That we’re all BFFs now? What a joke.”

“Everyone’s being nice. You could give them a chance.”

“We’re just tonight’s special entertainment.” He drained his cup and moved to refill it. “The flavor of the week.”

I sighed, but kept quiet. Once in a funk, Ben stayed funked.

Then my breath caught.

Chance Claybourne was walking toward the cabana. And he wasn’t alone.

Madison Dunkle clung to his arm.

Seeing them together jolted me. “I have to go.”

“Whatever.” Ben tipped back his cup, then wandered into the yard. “Go dance for the trust-fund babies.”

The barb stung, but I ignored him. As casually as possible, I moved closer to Chance and Madison, alarm bells clanging in my brain.

Madison saw me first. She whispered to Chance, then scurried toward the cabana. I scanned for Courtney and Ashley, but didn’t see them.

Had Madison and Chance come together?

I didn’t like what that implied. These were the two people I absolutely did not want comparing notes. Here, or anywhere.

“Tory.” Chance strolled to my side. “Fancy meeting you here.”

He arced an arm at the party, which was becoming more rowdy. Shelton was doing a keg stand, skinny legs flapping in the air. Hi was counting off his time.

Those morons! What are they thinking?

Chance’s voice pulled me back.

“Jason mentioned you needed help from the crime lab.” Chance cocked his head. “More covert police work? What this time?”

My mouth went dry. Head spinning. He sounded offhand, but his questions were too pointed for comfort.

“It’s nothing. Something for Kit.”

Chance smiled, dropped his voice. “I don’t believe you.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Oh, I intend to. And I’ll be watching. Cheers.”

With that, he joined the others in the cabana.

Enough for me. Time to go.

Just then I heard pounding feet, followed by a bellowing scream.

“CANNONBALL!!!!!”

I turned in time to see Hi launch himself skyward, tuck into a ball, and drop into the pool with an enormous splash.

Cups went flying as revelers attempted to dodge the spray.

Shelton was rolling on the grass, laughing hysterically. “He did it! Holy crap! I owe Hiram five bucks!”

Hi surfaced, spitting water. The party froze. Someone even killed the music.

“Come on, I nailed that!” Hi raised both fists. “Perfect ten.”

A beat, then laughter swept the patio, followed by a round of applause.

A boy from the soccer team leaped into the pool, followed by two others carrying screaming girls. In moments, a dozen drunks were splashing and roughhousing in the water.

I spied Jason sneaking my way, a wicked glint in his eyes.

“No you don’t!” I bolted. “I’m not going in!”

“Oh yes you are!” Jason hurdled deck furniture, chasing me around the pool. “My house, my rules, Brennan!”

Chance watched with distaste before withdrawing into the cabana.

We were on our second lap when Ben reappeared.

I whizzed by, just steps ahead of my pursuer. Startled, Ben grabbed Jason with both arms.

“What the hell are you doing?” Ben slurred, swaying slightly.

I stopped dead. “Ben, it’s okay! We’re just messing around.”

“Out of the way, pal.” Jason pushed Ben’s chest with two hands. “You’re my guest, remember.”

Ben shoved back. “Don’t touch me!”

Jason’s eyes gleamed with too much booze and not enough caution.

Ben never saw the punch.

He went toppling, but was back up in heartbeat. Then he dove forward, slamming Jason to the bricks. Horrified, I watched them roll into the grass, grappling and punching, neither able to gain the advantage.

Time slowed.

Suddenly, Jason went flying.

Ben’s head came up, irises flaming.

Nightmare.

Without thinking, I launched myself at Ben, catching him off guard. The weight of my body knocked him over backward. Never hesitating, I jumped on his chest and started slapping his face.

“Let it go!” I hissed. “Release your flare!”

Jason reached to pull me off, but Hi and Shelton got there first.

They boxed Jason away, grabbed Ben by the shoulders, and hauled him downslope into the yard. Ben tried to get past them, at Jason, but the fire was gone from his eyes. Abruptly he turned and stormed toward the dock.

“I’m going to kill him.” Jason was red-cheeked and breathing heavily. “This is my house!”

“Jason, don’t!” I moved to block his pursuit. “Ben’s drunk and didn’t know what was going on. Please just let it go. For me.”

“Fine.” Jason wiped his nose, checking for blood. “But that jackass isn’t welcome around me anymore. You tell him that.”

“I will. I have to go now.”

As Jason stormed away, I fled the watching, whispering attention of the rest of his guests.

I pointed Sewee into Charleston Harbor, headed for home.

Ben had balked when I’d demanded the keys, but I’d given him no choice. The boys were wasted. I’d driven Sewee before, and knew the basics. And if I scratched her while docking, let that be a lesson.

We’d barely set off when Hi emptied his guts over the side. Shelton tried to clean his glasses, but kept dropping them. Ben was slouched in the copilot’s chair, too dizzy to stand.

“He’s no good for you,” Ben said abruptly. “Doesn’t deserve you.”

“Just be quiet.” Soft. “We’re almost home.”

Ben’s eyes were slits. “That guy, he’s …” His hand rose, fell. “Dime a dozen. Doesn’t know anything. About you. The real you.”

Mercifully, Ben trailed off. In moments he was snoring.

I tried not to ignore his words. Ben was drunk. Being super-overprotective. And he never missed a chance to put Jason down.

But he sounds … different. Almost jealous.

“It’s the booze talking,” I said to myself as I maneuvered Sewee into the harbor. “Doesn’t mean a thing. Not one thing.”

Then I barked a sour laugh.

A crazed lunatic was forcing us around the city.

My father wanted a bimbo to live in our home.

Chance was watching me, and consorting with Madison.

Canine DNA was hijacking my nervous system, and I had no idea how to stop it.

The last thing I needed was Ben’s dating advice.

“Blargh.”

I wished life could be simple again.

Knew it never would be.

So I motored toward Morris, eager to crawl into bed and fall blissfully asleep. Then I cringed. How would I sneak these dopes past their parents?

“Double blargh.”