Fierce(46)

“Wow, good job. What a transformation,” Jaret says, astonished.

“Let’s go,” I say, and I walk past him.

“Uh, sure. Let’s take my car then.”

Maybe I’m rushing a bit too much, but I want to get there as fast as possible. I want to find out more about Hunter and what he’s doing with those people, and I think this is the perfect way to find out. Since Jaret’s going there, too, and they’re both into the drug-dealing thing, I’m pretty sure this whole party will be flocking with the same kind of people.

That’s some scary shit.

Jaret points us to his car, which is a low convertible. My eyeballs almost pop out the moment I see it. There’s some real money to be made with what they do. No wonder they’re so hung up on it.

I swallow away the lump in my throat as I get inside and close the door. Putting on my seatbelt, I say, “Nice car.”

“It’s my baby,” he says.

I nod in awe as he starts the car and steps on the gas, making a lot of noise. Pushover.

Normally, I would never, never, go with types like him, but this time’s an exception to that rule. I’ll break my own laws if I have to. I’m way too curious to find out more about Hunter.

“So, you guys do a lot of dealing then?”

Jaret holds his breath and gazes at me with widened eyes. “Don’t tell anyone, ’kay? I know you’re Hunter’s chick, and I hope I can trust you, because otherwise …”

I hold up my hands as a peace sign. “I won’t, I promise. I’m just curious. Why are you even in school if you make so much money? No need for a job, right?”

He chortles. “I’m here because my parents want me to be. I just want to party, have some fun. I’m more of the gambling type.” He reaches into his collar and takes out a necklace with a die as a bangle.

“Cool,” I say, as he shows it to me and tucks it away again. It’s not even remotely interesting. I just pretend I think it is.

“My lucky charm.”

“Must bring a lot of luck if you’re driving this car and raking in so much cash.” I keep going back to the same topic, because I want to know more about what they do, and I think Jaret is the perfect person to spill it.

“Nah, I’m just lucky I found the right … ‘job.’” He winks, and he jerks the steering wheel so hard I’m almost flung against the window.

“So do you take them sometimes too? The drugs, I mean.”

“Sometimes. Takes the kick off things, you know.”

“Why do you do it? The trading? Just for the money?” I ask, as we shoot through the streets.

“Mostly, yeah. The other part is because they’d kill me if I stopped now. I don’t really have the luxury to do what I want. On the other hand, who am I to complain?” He laughs it off like it’s a joke or something, but the air in this car suddenly feels too thick to breathe in.

Words like ‘kill’ and ‘drugs’ are being thrown around like they’re common goods, and it’s freaking me out.

“We’re here!” he says as he parks the car like a lunatic, occupying several spots. I’m gazing outside at a gigantic house filled to the brim with people. It almost looks like a tidal wave of people will soon come crashing out.

Lights are turned on, loud music is playing, people are screaming and yelling, having fun with God knows what. There’s not another house within a two-mile radius, so it looks like an out-of-control party.

We get out of the car, and I feel dizzy because of the ride, but I don’t get any time to regain my composure. Jaret hooks his arm through mine and takes me to the house.

My heart is going bonkers inside my chest as we walk up the steps. The lawn is littered with plastic cups, and toilet paper, for some reason. There are panties hanging from the tree branches, and a couple of shoes. I hear lots of giggling, and I’m thinking there are dirty things going on here I don’t want to see.

I’m scared to death to enter that house.

But I do it anyway.

It’s not like I have a choice with Jaret practically dragging me inside.

As the door closes behind us, I’m almost going deaf from the loud music.

“You can find Hunter on your own, right? I really have to play some cards,” Jaret says, his eyes flicking to the poker table and back to me.

“I guess,” I stammer.

“Cool, see you around!” he says, and then he walks off through the crowd, leaving me alone at the door.

Shit.

Now I’m on my own. What the fuck do I do?

I’m getting a panic attack already just by looking at all these people dancing, drinking, smoking. It stinks in here, and the air is filled with toxic fumes that make me cough. Some are smoking pot on the couch, others are sniffing up coke lines from the table. I’m disgusted by the mere sight of it, and I can’t believe I’m actually here, watching it.