I shrugged. “I have no idea where it’s at.”
Cassandra frowned and snapped, “Call your boyfriend. He’ll know.”
I turned heated eyes on her, but she was oblivious. The wine rendered her brave or careless when she threw her arms wide and laughed. The sound ripped from the bottom of her throat, and it sounded inhumane.
Then I closed my mouth. No retort would make a dent so I reached out and shoved her backwards.
She gasped and reached for a hold on the person nearest.
“Cass!” Amelia gasped as she fell with her.
Both of them tumbled backwards into Malinda’s bushes. When they were caught and held for a moment, the branches broke. They landed on the ground with a loud thump.
It was silent for one second. Mark and Adam burst out in laughter.
Cassandra screamed. It was bloodcurdling, and when she couldn’t climb back to her feet, she let out another one.
“Cass, shut up. My ears.”
She was thumped herself.
“Ow! Bitch.” Amelia tried to roll away, but the branches stopped her. They continued to be contained where they had landed. “Mark, help me!”
He snorted and stepped back. “Make me.”
Then I glanced at Becky, who had retreated behind me. She had both of her hands pressed to her mouth. Her shoulders were shaking and she was taking deep breaths. When a chuckle slipped out, she shook her head and turned away.
And then I didn’t hold back my own amusement. It felt right to smile at that moment.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Adam pulled the car down a long gravel driveway. Trees surrounded us and he peered around. “You sure this is where Mason said?”
Mark poked his head between the seat divider. “The party’s at an abandoned barn. Are you expecting pools and chandeliers?”
Becky snorted.
I said, “One of their friends’ dad owns this acreage. I guess they have a winery close to it, but yeah—this is the place. That’s all Mason said.” And the car turned a last bend. A large barn stood in front of us. Lights streamed out of it as well as people. When we found a parking spot in a field behind the barn, music blared out, mixing with shouts and laughter.
The barn had two wide open doors, one in the front and one in the back. We approached from the back, but three kegs were set up inside the doorway. As a girl raced past us giggling with only a bra on, Becky’s mouth dropped. Mark and Adam swiveled as one. A guy followed in hot pursuit. They disappeared past a group of trees. When the girl shrieked, both the guys had wicked grins on their faces.
Mark bobbed his head in approval. “My kind of party.”
Adam barked out a laugh and thumped him on the shoulder.
Becky’s eyes were wide. “So this is what the real public parties are like?”
They all looked at me. I shrugged. “I guess. I don’t go that much.”
Adam frowned a bit. “Mason comes without you?”
My eyes narrowed. “If you’re insinuating what I think you’re insinuating, you better stop right now.”
His frown deepened, but he turned away.
Becky touched my hand lightly. “It’s no fun to go to a party with only your boyfriend. I understand.”
The knot that had grown in my chest unraveled a bit. I hadn’t known the knot was there in the first place. “I have my friends with me now.”
“And why didn’t Mason drive you?”
We turned and glared.
He held his hands up. “I’m just saying—”
“I told them to go without me. I thought I’d be wiped from the dinner.”
Mark bobbed his head as he appeared with a tray. “Hey, I got you all beer. Drink up, everyone.”
As he pushed a plastic cup into my hand, I shook my head for a moment. No one noticed his disappearance. Mark didn’t seem to mind as he couldn’t wipe his smile off his face. “Man, I love free booze. It never gets old.”
Adam murmured, “Your grandfather created one of the most widely-sold whiskeys in the world.”
Mark grunted as he drank half a glass in one gulp. “You think my mom lets me touch that stuff? I have to sneak the crap just like everyone else. Which is why I love getting free beer!” He lifted his glass in a salute.
Adam shook his head but bumped his glass with Mark’s; both finished their first glass together. As they went for refills, Becky nudged my side. “Did you text Mason? Does he know we’re here?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I’ll find him. It’s okay.”
“Yeah, but don’t you—”
I was cut off by someone scooping me over his shoulder. He raced through the barn as he patted my butt. I groaned. I didn’t need to even look. His hyena laugh sounded out in a victorious call as he bounced me around the barn and out to some bonfires. “I got her! She’s mine, Mason. You can’t have your woman tonight. I’m claiming my sister, and that’s final!”
“Logan.” I hit the back of his head. “Put me down.”