I tell him the first bit of truth that comes to my mind. The one I feel all the way down to my marrow. “Because I love him.” I hold his stare. “And I don’t hurt the people I love.”

Not if I can help it.

He searches my face for what feels like an eternity. I don’t know what he finds, but whatever it is has him releasing his hold on me. “You can stay.”

Without another word, he stalks out of the kitchen and I leave to track down my cousin.

I find him sucking Hayley’s face off on the living room couch.

Guess they’re on again.

Shaking my head, I turn around and head for the bathroom. All the water I had is catching up with me.

Evidently, I’m not the only one who has to pee like a racehorse, because the line for the closest bathroom is almost all the way down the hall.

The one on the other side of the house isn’t much better.

“Is there a bathroom upstairs?” I whisper to the guy wearing a beanie in front of me.

His eyes open a little and I realize he’s one of the bong boys from the last party I went to. “Nah, B. Bad idea.”

“Why?”

“My boy, Bugs, heard Christian was getting a rim job from some chick and she blew chunks everywhere but the toilet in that bitch.”

Wow, that was way more information than necessary. Not to mention gross.

“Thanks for the heads up.”

He gives me a curt nod and holds up the bong in his hand. “You wanna hit this while we wait?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I get paranoid behind the wheel when I’m high. My speed drops down to thirty and I think every car I pass is the police.” Since I don’t want to sound like a total loser I add, “But definitely next time.”

“Word.” He brings the lighter to the bowl and inhales. “No worries.”

Squeezing my legs together, I look down the line. Not counting my bong buddy, there are four more people in front of me. “Can you tell whoever’s in there to hurry up?”

Some guy ahead shrugs. “Already did.”

“I’m not gonna make it.”

I’ll take my chances with the puke. If she missed the toilet, at least it will be clean.

“Whatever you do, don’t piss in the hot tub,” my buddy advises. “People get real mad when you do that.” He grins at Cole when he walks by. “Try the punch bowl instead.”

Cole downs his beer and fist bumps the air. “Nectar of the gods.”

Hopefully it won’t come down to that, but it’s nice to know I’ve got options.

I hike a thumb in the direction of the staircase. “I’m gonna go upstairs.”

His expression turns solemn as I exit the line. “Godspeed, my friend.”

Racing up the stairs, I make a mad dash for the first bathroom I see.

To my surprise and relief, there’s no puke to be found. For once, the rumor mill worked in my favor.

After taking care of business, I walk over to the sink.

I’m in the middle of washing my hands when I hear a voice that sounds a lot like Jace’s growl, “My dick isn’t gonna suck itself. You’re either down to or you’re not.”

I roll my eyes. Subtlety has never been Jace’s strong suit.

Quickly, I turn off the sink and forgo drying my hands. The last thing I want to hear is Jace and Britney going at it.

“And if I’m not?”

Dammit. I’m too curious for my own good. I press my ear to the door on the opposite side of the bathroom so I can hear them better.

“It’s no skin off my balls.” Something jingles. Possibly a belt buckle? “Your friend Casey told me she’d be up for whatever I want, whenever I want, so I’ll hang out with her tonight.”

Harsh. Although I’d give almost anything to see the look on Britney’s face right now.

“Are you serious?” Britney screeches. “I can’t believe that dumb slut is trying to screw my boyfriend behind my back.”

Your hoes ain’t loyal, Brit-Brit.

I slap a hand over my mouth so I don’t laugh, but Jace’s next words have my jaw dropping.

“Retract the claws. I’m not your boyfriend, remember?”

Jesus. To be a fly on the wall of this shitshow.

She sighs. “I know, babe. I just…it’s a girl thing. Casey crossed the line.” Her voice becomes breathy. “But let’s not talk about her anymore, birthday boy.” She giggles. “I wore those little pink panties you like.”

It’s all I can do not to gag as I retreat. It’s definitely time to go.

“Not interested,” he grits through his teeth.

I scurry back to the door.

“Right. As usual, you just want to sit back while I give you head,” she grumbles. “Not to be a bitch, but I’m getting really sick and tired of being a blow-up doll. Once upon a time, you were interested in more than my mouth.”

I cringe. Fairy tales, blow-up dolls, and Britney make for a bad visual.

“Look, I’ve never forced you to do anything you didn’t want to.” The mattress creaks. “Suck me off, or don’t, I no longer give a fuck. I’m over your bullshit.”

“Oh my God, it’s her. Isn’t it? Ever since she came back…we haven’t.” Britney sounds like she’s a razor’s edge away from crying. “You don’t want me anymore, do you?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jace growls. “Shut the fuck up.”

“If I’m wrong, then prove it. Fuck me right here, right now. Just like you used to before she showed up.”

My heart twists and I place my hand on the door, as though that alone could stop him.

Don’t do it, Jace.

I’m not sure what’s happening, because they stop talking.

Which can only mean one thing.

A green tinge of jealousy clouds my vision as the seconds tick by.

Just when I’ve lost all hope, Jace grinds out, “You’re right. You don’t do it for me anymore.”

I let out the breath I was holding.

“You’re lying,” Britney hisses. “Look at me and look at her. There’s no way in hell any guy with a pulse would choose that over me.”

Jace laughs but there isn’t any humor behind it. “There’s something wrong with your head, Brit.”

“There’s something wrong with your dick, Jace,” she spits. “And that’s exactly what I’m going to tell everyone if you make me look like a fool.”

“Fuck off. The only one who makes you look like a fool is you.”

He slams the door so hard it rattles.

Oh. My. God.

I wait a few minutes before I venture downstairs again. When I do, I find Jace slamming back shots with Oakley and Cole.

Oh, boy.

“Hell yes,” Oak shouts. “About time you loosened up and had some fun, Covington.”

Forgoing the shot glass this time, Jace picks up the bottle of Jack and takes a huge swig.

My stomach drops. Jace isn’t doing this for fun. He’s doing it to get trashed and forget.

Fortunately, Cole catches on. “Slow down, bro. We have the whole night ahead of us.”

“Exactly.” Oak takes the bottle from him. “Save some for the rest of us, man.”