The Dance Team took the field and performed a fun, funky hip-hop routine that the crowd went crazy for. They changed into their team warm ups, and went out to enjoy the rest of the game.
Bri didn’t want to have to watch Cole and Serena’s victory kiss, which had become their post-game tradition, so she convinced Layla to leave a little early. Even though she knew she shouldn’t be jealous, Bri was. She didn’t know for sure what exactly was going on between Cole and Serena, she didn’t want to just believe the rumors, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask Cole about it. His private life was none of her business, and she had no right to pry. But every time Serena touched Cole, Bri wanted to hit her. That was not a good sign.
They drove to Layla’s house to get ready for the party. Bri had told her dad she was spending the night at Layla’s, but hadn’t told him about the party. She knew he’d throw a fit about it. Layla’s parents, on the other hand, had no problem with the girls going to the party, and were going out themselves that night and wouldn’t be home until late.
An hour and a half later, the girls were ready. Layla had insisted on dressing Bri, putting her in a pair of black faux leather leggings, a black, fitted, drape front blouse, and a pair of black ankle boots. She curled her auburn hair and left it long, and Layla had expertly applied Bri’s smoky eye shadow and liquid eyeliner. Topped off with red lipstick, Bri looked dark and mysterious.
“I don’t know, Lay. I think you might have gone a bit overboard,” Bri scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
“Are you kidding me? You’re hot! Get over it!” Layla came up behind her in the mirror. She’d chosen a tight fitting, navy blue sweater, and a brown leather skirt that came to the tops of her thighs, where it ended rather abruptly. Layla slipped on her leopard print stilettos and smiled wickedly.
“Alright, Chica, come on! Time to go get our groove on!” Layla flicked her long dark brown hair over her shoulder and led the way out to her silver Audi TT.
“So spoiled!” Bri teased her friend as she climbed in.
“What? It was a hand me down from my dad! You should see his new car. Now that would be spoiled! Besides, I’m as down to earth as they come, and you know it,” Layla smiled brilliantly. “It’s why I’m so irresistible!”
They drove the few blocks to the party rather quickly, thanks to Layla’s sporty little car. As they walked up to the beachfront house vibrating with music, a wave of apprehension swept over Bri, and she had the sudden desire to run back to the car. She shook it off, scolding herself internally for being so apprehensive. Nothing bad was going to happen tonight. She squared her shoulders and followed Layla up the walk. They walked into a crowded entryway, and an all too familiar blond head came towards them. Bri cringed inwardly, stifling a groan.
“Ladies! So glad you could make it!” Trey’s ultra-white smile seemed to glow in the low light. His eyes raked over Bri, and his grin widened. She couldn’t help the scowl that came over her face. “Drinks are in the kitchen,” Trey pointed behind him. “Please, make yourselves at home. And,” he gave Bri a meaningful look, “if there is anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll catch up with you later,” Trey winked as he moved past them.
As soon as he was gone, Bri grabbed Layla’s arm and hissed, “Why didn’t you tell me it was Trey’s party we were coming to?”
“Because,” Layla moved them over against the wall and out of the flow of people. “If I had, you wouldn’t have come, and I really wanted to have some fun tonight,” Layla’s dark brown eyes sparkled as she scanned the crowd. “There are plenty of people here to keep Trey occupied, and you probably won’t see him again anyway. So, wipe that scowl off your face and enjoy yourself for once!” Layla slung her arm through Bri’s and pulled her back into the throng. “Now, let’s go work the room a little, shall we?”
Shoving aside her annoyance, Bri smiled and nodded. They managed to make it through one room, before Layla jerked her to a halt.
“There he is!” Layla squealed in Bri’s ear. “Devon Peterson!”
Bri looked over and saw a tall, sandy-blond boy she recognized from the football team. Layla was practically drooling. Bri hadn’t realized Layla was so smitten with Devon, and felt a pang of guilt for not knowing something that important about her closest friend. She promised herself she’d be a better, more attentive friend, starting now.
“Why don’t you go over and talk to him?” Bri smiled at the longing on Layla’s face.