Chapter Forty-One
Grace
Kegan knocked on my bedroom door for the fourth time in a row.
"Grace, come on. We need to talk." He said, annoyance in his tone.
"Don't ever say those words again." I hissed, not wanting to be reminded that Jaxon had broken up with me.
I was laying in my bed pathetically moping for the second day in a row. Even though I probably shouldn't have, I watched a live interview that The Galaxies had done the night before, after Jax had left.
He smiled like nothing had happened.
I knew that whatever was between us wasn't just something that people find all the time. It was once in a life time. It was a love that formed over loss, from pure kindness. A place in our hearts so tender that we were afraid to feel it at first.
I shot up in bed when Kegan shoved open my door.
He held up a lock pick and grinned at me devilishly. I felt bad to admit it, but I didn't even want to see his face after what had been written about us.
"What do you want?" I said tiredly, not caring what he had to say either way. There was no way I was getting out of this bed.
He rolled his eyes at me and threw a stuffed bear at my head.
"Stop moping. I heard what happened and its absolute horse shit. If he doesn't believe you when you tell him the truth, then he doesn't deserve you in the first place." He growled.
Kegan shuddered dramatically, "No offence, but I could never see you in that way. You're literally like a sister to me. That would be disgusting." He cringed.
I gave him a flat look in response, "As much as it makes me happy to hear that the feeling is mutual, could you have used a different word than disgusting?"
I narrowed my eyes at him as I waited for a response.
He waved his finger at me, "I only speak the truth."
I huffed; I had been in an awful funk for the past two days.
"Kelsey is going to be here any minute to get you- cleansed" He cringed as he plugged his nose dramatically, "and ready to come out with the gang to a party."
I glared at him in defiance, "I am not going anywhere. And I don't smell."
He raised an eyebrow challengingly, "You smell so bad your nose probably adjusted to your pungent stench."
I gaped at him before a small giggle escaped my lips, "You're an ass." I laughed a little more.
He smirked in response, "I knew I could get you to smile. Seriously though, it's time to get out of your room and start moving on. If things didn't work out with him, maybe you'll meet someone better tonight. Even if you aren't looking."
I gave him a withering look and reluctantly agreed to go with them tonight.
To hold on to the small amount of pride I had left, I didn't mention the fact that there was no way I would find someone that was better than Jaxon.
Kelsey arrived ten minutes later, bursting through my door like a hurricane. She had armfuls of bags and her hair was in her face. She blew her hair out of the way and her eyes glinted in the light.
I backed away slowly; Kelsey was a force to be reckoned with.
"Time to make you hot." She grinned evilly.
An hour and a half later, I was showered, primped, prodded, waxed, and ... sparkly.
Yes, I said sparkly. Kelsey had added some sort of shimmery body spray to finish 'the look'.
"Well, you sure clean up well. Doesn't she babe?" Kelsey grinned at Kegan happily, proud of her work.
He cringed, looking at me. "Couldn't you dress her in something less revealing? The whole town is going to know what her ass looks like."
I paled; I hadn't noticed it was that short.
"Kelsey," I started, ready to force her into letting me wear something else.
She put up her finger, shushing me effectively.
"I did not work my ass off to not be able to showcase my hot best friend." She stated firmly.
I sighed, "You make me sound like some sort of whorish Barbie doll."
She laughed evilly, and I had to hold in my laughter in response. She could definitely pass for an evil villain.
We piled into Kegan's car, Lucy and headed towards the party. Apparently it was being held at some random rich kid's house in Beverly Hills.
"Are you sure we're going to be allowed inside?" I asked again.
Kelsey rolled her eyes, "Girl, you look hot. It's a guy's party, there's no doubt you'll be let inside."
"What about me?" Kegan chuckled, reaching for Kelsey's hand.
She placed her delicate hand into his big ones and smiled, "you probably won't be let in at all, but I'm sure if we dress you up as a girl, you'd... pass," She said cheekily.
He raised an eyebrow at her and I coughed, feeling like an awkward third wheel.
We parked the car a block down from the house and when we got out I could already hear the blasting music.
"How have the cops not shown up yet?" I asked curiously.
"The guy hosting it is named Drake. He invites all the neighbors, and lets them know that the party is happening so that they're well prepared. None of his neighbors ever show up, but they don't mind as much because they were invited in the first place. That way they don't really complain."
Kegan nodded, "And if a cop does show up, they usually send out the cutest girl they can find to convince the cops things are in control."
I scrunched my nose up, "That's... genius."
Kelsey laughed and nodded her head as we walked up to the front door.
We rang the doorbell and a guy around our age answered.
"Hey man," Kegan greeted him, giving him a one armed hug that guys do.
"Hey Kegan, Kelsey." The guy turned his attention to me and interest sparked in his eyes.
I awkwardly waved, not knowing what else to do, "I'm Grace."
He nodded, "I know. I'm Drake." He responded with a wink.
I frowned at the knowledge he knew who I was, "How exactly do you know my name?" I asked him, just to be sure.
He smirked at me and I raised an eyebrow. "I have younger sisters; they always buy tons of magazines. They're huge fans of yours, actually."
"What do you mean?" I asked him, caught off guard.
"Well, you're a normal girl who lost everything and ended up overcoming one of life's greatest obstacles. You got adopted into a celebrities family, started dating a famous boy band member... you're basically a fairy tale to them. Or so I've heard." He explained.
"Oh... well that's an extremely sweet way to put things." I murmured.
Drake shrugged, "They're fourteen. What else do you expect? Anyways, come on in guys. The party is just getting started," He hooted excitedly.
We all walked inside and began chatting and talking with the other guests.
I grabbed a rum and coke and started to let loose. Kelsey and I danced together wildly, doing everything from the shopping cart to shimmying. We laughed and before I knew it, there were even more bodies on the floor dancing amongst each other.
I walked back over to the kitchen, leaving Kelsey to dance with the other girls we had met that night. Kegan had disappeared a while ago and I could see him in the other room lounging on a couch, sleeping. I rolled my eyes and laughed to myself. This was the second party I had seen him sleeping at. I began to pour myself some water and turned around in surprise when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was a guy, who appeared to either be the same age or a little older than me.
I took in the boy's dark eyes and brown hair; he looked handsome, but dangerous.
I raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to speak. He laughed, and I felt like I recognized his voice.
"So quickly you were able to forget about me," He muttered, walking away as he shook his head.
Shaken, I tried to find Kelsey and Kegan but had no luck. I was sweating; the heat in the house was rising with all of the bodies grinding together inside.
I decided to go outside and cool off for a little bit before regrouping with them. The front yard was surprisingly deserted and I wondered if I should be out here by myself.
A hand suddenly on my shoulder caused me to scream and whirl around. The same guy from earlier was out here.
"Who are you?" I demanded, confused and a little angry as to why he had sought me out again tonight.
"The name is Tristan." He smirked, his eyes brooding.
I stared at him for a few seconds before things started clicking into place.
I was at the foster home with a guy named Tristan.
The hair on my neck was standing up and goose bumps covered my skin. Something was definitely not right.
"Are you the Tristan from the foster home I was at?" I asked timidly.
From what I remembered about Tristan, it was only of his actions and what he had said. I had been blind when I met him, and he had grabbed my arm roughly when I was about to leave for my new home.
He laughed darkly, "Yes, I'm little Tristan. The one you left behind before you even got to know me." His voice was husky and suggestive.
I stepped back a step, prepared to run if I had to.
"I was adopted, Tristan. I can't help that." I mumbled, looking at him.
"Ah, I think I liked it better when you couldn't see." He winked.
My face went red with anger. "Don't you dare say that to me!" I hissed, unable to believe someone would say something so awful.
What I had gone through in those months was absolute horror. Although I couldn't imagine Tristan's time with Petunia, the woman who ran things at the foster house was very pleasant.
"Sorry little one, I didn't mean to offend you." He took a step forward and stroked my long blonde hair.
I shoved his hand away and sidestepped him; I had had enough of his mind games.
"Leave me alone," I shouted.
Before I could get back inside he grabbed my wrist.
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this." He muttered, shoving a cloth over my face.
I tried not to inhale the sweet smelling fumes, but it worked in seconds. The last thing I heard before I passed out was, "We belong together."
No! I belong with Jaxon!