“Where have you been? What happened?” Hailey chatters at my side as I cut through the house toward the tent in the backyard. Her voice doesn’t even register. Not really. It’s static.
By the time we reach the entrance, she’s still going, holding out her hand so the diamond catches the light. “Aiden, my ring is gorgeous. Your brother said you must’ve bought it from a local jeweler? That’s so thoughtful. Did you have it custom-made? Was it forme? Anything?—”
“Dad!” I bark, ceasing her babble, storming inside without sparing her another glance. No, the ring? I sent aThetapledge to pick out something from a local discount store last night. Because I had forgotten.
My father and grandfather stand off to the side, clearly waiting for my return so they can proceed with dinner. Grandpa’s eyes light up when he sees me; he opens his arms, pulling me in with a warmth that feels almost foreign.
“Aiden! Congratulations!” He clasps me tight, then turns to Hailey with grandfatherly charm. “And to you, young lady.” Taking her hand, he shakes it firmly.
Dad doesn’t move. His glare hooks onto mine, all ice and silent threat. Guess I didn’t sell the speech well enough.
“Sorry,” I say, forcing civility, “I’m not feeling well. Heading out. Party looks great, Grandpa. Tell Grandma Millie she outdid herself this year.”
“Of course, my boy,” Grandpa answers with a lingering look toward his son.
Dad’s jaw works like he’s chewing on iron. Then, with calculated sweetness, he says, “Not…sticking around for dinner?” His gaze flicks to Hailey, one corner of his mouth curving up. “Ah, I see. You and your fiancée must be sneaking off for a lovers’ rendezvous.”
Hailey glances up at me, waiting for direction like the obedient pawn she is.
I meet my father’s stare, narrowing my eyes with venom. “Enjoy your party.”
The threat is mutual.
As I head to the front, I think about how I can ditch the blonde next to me. If Hailey gets in my car, I’ll drive straight toOmegaHouse to dump her at the front door. Then motor to the dorms. I’ll go all the way to Gnarled Pine Hollow if I have to so I can find Ashlyn. In fact—I dig my phone out, thumb hovering over her tracker app, when a piercing sound stops me cold on the driveway.
Sirens.
Two firetrucks scream past, lights strobing red and blue against the snow machines and Christmas décor. They barrel toward the slope in the front yard. Beneath a glen of trees.
I stumble forward, mouth ajar, tasting the winter’s shockingly frigid air.
And there it is… A black shape swallowed whole by a pyre under the pines. Flames roar skyward, chewing through metal and bark alike, sparks showering down like fireworks. The branches catch, flare bright, then collapse under the blast of the water cannons.
Beside me, Hailey gasps, hand over her mouth. “Oh my god! Is that—? Is that acar?”
I creep forward, slowly at first, then faster, until the heat licks at my cheeks. A grin carves its way across my mouth. Wide. Uncontrollable. My chest shakes. And then I laugh. Loud. Unhinged. Like the whole world delivered me a gift-wrapped inferno.
It’s my Porsche.
The one I drove here tonight with Hailey in the passenger seat. The one I’d been taking Ashlyn to class in. My last modeof boxed transportation, since the WRX is already scrap, and Lou got my Maserati. Though I still have my motorcycle.
Was the Porsche precious to me? Yeah. In some ways. But watching it burn?
It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
My hellkitten set it on fire. Wrecked it in wrath. Torched it in a blaze of fury, a screaming message written in gasoline and smoke. Not indifference. Not silence.
Jealousy.
And gods, jealousy means she’s still mine.
“Is thatyourcar?” Hailey gawks.
“Yep,” I say, a smile busting from my lips. I’m proud of my hellcat.Soproud. “I gotta go.”
“Where are you going?”
“You stay here,” I snap, already gone.