“We’ll see,” he grinned. “Maybe I’ll be the one laughing at the end of the night.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, suddenly nervous.

“Nothing,” he replied, continuing to grin.

When we pulled into Jake’s driveway, there were already a dozen or so cars lining it, making us the last vehicle to fit before the street. Evan kept watch outside the car while I changed into a pair of jeans and more manageable shoes.

“So much better,” I breathed when I stepped out of the car.

“You still look good,” Evan remarked with a half smile. I ignored him.

I kept the same guard while he changed from his suit into a pair of jeans and a sweater.

“Whenever you want to leave, we leave,” Evan told me as we approached the front door. “Don’t feel bad either. He invited you, this isn’t for me. I’m just here because you are.”

“Okay,” I agreed, trying to read into his warning. He’d been acting strange about this party since I’d mentioned it. But I couldn’t figure out why.

I rang the doorbell since it seemed more appropriate than just walking in. It wasn’t the loud scene we encountered at Scott’s party. Jake answered the door with a huge smile.

“Emma! You’re here! Sara said you’d be here soon,” he said opening the door wider for us to enter. His welcoming smile faltered when he found Evan behind me. “Oh, you brought Evan.” Evan gave him a quick smirk.

“Nice to see you, Jake,” Evan said, patting his hand on Jake’s shoulder as we passed him to enter. Jake shut the door and turned to Evan.

“Sorry, man. You may be outnumbered tonight,” Jake informed him with a snide grin.

“I’m not worried.”

I had no idea what they were talking about, but could definitely sense a little tension. I studied Evan’s face for a sign, but he just smiled at me.

“You can hang your coats in the closet.” Jake pointed to the door next to the entrance.

The small foyer led down a hallway. As we followed Jake, I noticed an entrance on the left that opened into a living room with an overstuffed couch and a large flat-screened TV. To the right was another room with a long leather couch and a desk, presumably an office.

The rooms were dimly lit by flickering candlelight. There were only a few people in each room, quietly conversing. A soothing jazz tune with a soulful trumpet blaring carried throughout the house. The end of the hall revealed a set of carpeted stairs and then it opened up into a kitchen. The kitchen was bright with the overhead lights gleaming off the white surfaces.

Sara was leaning against the island laughing at something Jason said. She looked up when we entered the room.

“Drinks are downstairs,” Jake offered. “Relax and have a good time. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared down a set of stairs that connected with the stairs leading up.

“Emma, Evan!” Sara exclaimed. “How was dinner?”

“Filling,” I replied, with a quick laugh. Evan pressed his lips together and scowled at me.

Sara examined us with her brows pulled together, trying to decipher our exchange.

“I’ll tell you later,” I said quickly, still grinning. “When did you guys get here?”

“We haven’t been here that long,” Sara admitted. “I was going to give you a few more minutes before I called.”

“Where is everyone?” I asked, looking around then picking up on the small grin that Evan wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding.

“I honestly don’t know,” Sara confessed, looking around too. “We really did just get here. I think everyone must be downstairs, but I don’t think there’s a lot of people here.”

We were interrupted by the ringing of the door bell. Jake bounded up the steps and strode down the hall. Six more people I didn’t know entered the house – they looked like seniors.

“I think everyone’s here,” I overheard Jake tell one of the guys when they neared the kitchen.

“Emma Thomas?” the guy whispered, in shock. I tried to pretend I didn’t hear him.

“Don’t even think about it,” Jake whispered firmly, leading the group down the stairs.

Evan pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. I narrowed my eyes, knowing something was up. He raised his eyebrows and shrugged, looking away to avoid my glare.

“Do you want to go downstairs?” Sara asked, as it was obvious we were the only ones upstairs, except for the few people in the front rooms.

“Might as well,” I agreed.

Sara and I walked down together, while Jason and Evan followed behind us discussing a football game or something.

We entered the shadowy basement with its low ceilings. At the base of the stairs was a long dark bar, with tall black leather chairs pulled up to it. There were a few people sitting on the chairs, talking. When I scanned the wide “U” shaped space, I estimated about fifteen people dispersed throughout it.

Besides those at the bar, there were others sitting on a sectional couch in front of a suspended television. The rest were clustered around a pool table across from the stairs or sitting on the black leather sofa tucked in against the wall. I was surprised that no one was playing pool or watching TV. The same sultry soulful music piped through the speakers down here

“Want a drink?” Jake offered as we congregated at the end of the bar.

“Do you have soda?”

“Sure, it’s in the fridge on the other side of the basement. There’s a door over there - help yourself.”

I cut through the sectional area, through the door he indicated into the unfinished side of the basement. Against the wall was an old white refrigerator filled with bottles and cans of a variety of sodas. I grabbed a bottle and returned to Evan, Jason and Sara, who were still standing at the bar.

“What do you think?” I whispered to Sara, who was sipping something red from a glass. “Does this feel weird to you?”

“I have a feeling I know what’s going on,” she admitted. “I’ve always wondered what Jake’s parties were all about, but I had no idea. Guess he never wanted to invite the judge’s daughter for a reason.”

Before I could ask what she was talking about, Jake approached again.

“Evan,” Jake beckoned, “I want you to meet a couple of people I don’t think you know.”

Evan looked at Jake curiously. He hesitated to say, “I’ll be right back,” before walking away. I nodded, not really concerned. I had no idea why he was acting so weird, but this party wasn’t nearly as intimidating as the last. I wasn’t worried about being left alone. There really wasn’t much going on.

“I wish we could play pool or something,” I told Jason and Sara. “It feels strange just standing here.”

“It’s not that kind of party,” Sara whispered with a knowing grin.

“What do you mean?” I was so confused and kinda bored to be honest.

“Hey,” a small brunette exclaimed walking down the stairs. Sara turned toward her and smiled.

“Hey Bridgette!” Sara returned enthusiastically.

Bridgette was followed closely by one of the guys from the soccer team. She greeted Sara with a quick hug.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” the petite brunette said to Sara in surprise.

“We came with Emma,” Sara explained. “Emma this is Bridgette.”

“Hi,” I said softly. She smiled politely, casually eyeing me. The guy’s hand slid around the Bridgette’s waist, resting low so it was practically holding her ass. I looked up at her face, pretending not to have noticed.

Jason started talking to him, apparently they knew each other too. The entire time, the guy’s hand remained attached to Bridgette. It was almost as if he were claiming her or something.

“Did you just get here?” Bridgette asked.

“Not that long ago,” Sara replied.

“I didn’t realize you were interested in Rich,” Sara whispered, nodding to the guy with the branding hand.

“I figured, why not?” Bridgette declared with a shrug.

Sara tightened her eyes at the response but didn’t inquire further. Instead, she and Bridgette began talking about their mothers, who apparently knew each other, and other subjects they had in common that I knew nothing about. I pulled out one of the black leather bar chairs to sit and half listened as I fiddled with the soda bottle.

“We’re going upstairs,” Sara said after awhile. “Will you be okay? I promise I’ll be right back.”

“Sure.” I nodded with a reassuring smile.

“Don’t go anywhere,” she warned, leaving me even more confused.

I scanned the room but couldn’t locate which group Evan was in with the lights so low.

“Left alone?” a voice asked from behind me. I turned to find a dark haired guy with vibrant bluish-green eyes leaning against the chair next to me. I recognized him as one of the guys who arrived after we did.

“For now,” I said with a small shrug.

“That’s not good.”

“How do you know Jake?” I asked.

“We’re friends – we’re both seniors,” he explained. “You’re Emma Thomas, right?”

“Yeah,” I said slowly, trying to figure out if I should know who he was.

“I’m Drew Carson. I realize you probably don’t know me.” But something made me wonder why I did. His name sounded so familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it.

“But you know who I am?”

“Of course.” He laughed. “That was a great game last night. I heard you have scouts looking to pick you up.”

I blushed. “Yeah. So you were at the game?”

“Who wasn’t?” His sincerity made me smile.

“Why do I recognize you? I know I’ve seen you,” I struggled, “but I can’t place it.”

“Basketball probably,” he offered. That was it. Drew Carson, captain of the guys’ basketball team this season. That made sense with his lean built frame. How had I not noticed him in school? But then again, it seemed I didn’t notice anyone in school unless they threw themselves in front of me.

“That’s it. Sorry.”

“That’s all right. I should have tried to talk to you before tonight,” he admitted. “But I’m glad you’re here. I’m surprised you’re here, but whatever.” He revealed a sparkling smile as his cheeks creased with deep dimples. Honestly, how did I not notice him before - he was beautiful.

“I like your sweater,” he said, after a few seconds of silence.

“Thanks.” I blushed again. I was searching for anything to say that wouldn’t sound forced. “Do you ski?” I had no idea where the question came from, but it was the first thing that came out of my mouth. Could I be any more pathetic?

“Yeah, I’m going to Vermont next weekend with my family. Do you?”

“Actually, I don’t.” We both looked at each other and started laughing at the awkwardness. Our laughter was loud against the murmuring voices, invoking a few annoyed stares.