"I can't believe that I'm going to a Brooks Caldwell party!" Veronica shrieks, pulling at my arm. And I get her excitement. I'm usually the one jumping for joy when it comes to house parties.

Well, that is when the house doesn't belong to my enemy.

"Why aren't you on my level of excitement?" Veronica asks once she detects my indifferent demeanor.

"I am," I lie, sarcastically pumping my fist in the air. "Woo-hoo."

Veronica pouts at me as I contemplate what on earth I was thinking agreeing to this.

Jimmy Daniels, Jimmy Daniels, Jimmy Daniels, I remind myself. That's what I was thinking. And leave it to Brooks Caldwell to use my crush as bait to get me here.

I don't even know why Brooks wants me at his party to begin with when we're both equally aware of how much we despise each other.

I've tried to tolerate Brooks, trust me I have, but the asshole makes that so hard to do when he thrives on making my life miserable. I've also tried to put a finger on why he likes to infuriate me, but the best explanation that I could come up with is that it's because I don't become putty in his hands like the rest of the girls do when he merely glances at them. I'm stronger than that, thank you very much, and proud of it.

"What's his place like?" Veronica asks, bringing me back to the present moment.

"I don't know," I shrug. "Big?"

"Duh. What else?"

I've only been to Brooks' house a few times and that's because Bella practically dragged me against my will. The last time I was here was two summers ago when he threw a pool party at the beginning of August for his birthday. I hate admitting it, but I had a great time. How could one not when there's unlimited food and a live DJ?

"He has a bowling alley."

Veronica's jaw drops. "Like in his house?"

"Yup."

"Damn. Wasn't expecting you to say that."

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting to see it."

"So, not only is Brooks hot as fuck, but he's rich as fuck, too. Fabulous. My chances of landing him just got even harder."

"Veronica, if there's one thing that I can tell you for certain, it's that Brooks Caldwell doesn't fall in love. With anyone."

She keeps silent for a few seconds, looking at me with disappointing eyes. "You're breaking my heart, you know that?"

"Yeah, well, better me than him," I say and she gives me a sly expression.

"What's the look for?"

"Your and Brooks' relationship. It's cute."

I look at her, baffled. "You're kidding, right?" But she's not laughing, so I retract. "You're not kidding."

"Why would I be?"

I twist my body to look at her better. "Veronica, Brooks and I don't have a relationship. And I'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much."

"Uh-huh," she says in a way like she doesn't believe me.

"Think whatever you want, but I'm telling you the truth. The less interaction that I have with Brooks Caldwell, the better."

She blinks a few times. "You really think that I believe that?"

"You'd be stupid not to." I don't mean to criticize her, but I'm suddenly feeling defensive, and I think that she notices my sudden shift in attitude.

"Wow, I really pushed a button there, didn't I?"

I keep silent and turn my head to face the window.

"I'm going to take that as a 'yes'," she continues.

I don't know why her comment infuriates me. All I know is that it does.

Which makes me think...why?

***

I'm not surprised to find what I see once we get to the party. Veronica, on the other hand...different story. Her jaw's been dropped for the last five minutes.

"You okay?" I ask with a chuckle.

"How does someone live here?" she asks, circling her feet around the massive property as we follow a group of girls to the front door. "What I mean is, how does someone afford to live here?"

"It's easy when your family owns one of the biggest publishing companies in the world."

Veronica reaches her hand out, gesturing to the tiered marble fountain. "There's a damn waterfall in the front of his house."

"Uh-huh," I state with no surprise whatsoever.

Most of the party is outside, which I'm all about considering Brooks' backyard is incomparable.

Before we do anything, Veronica and I grab a beer from the pool kitchen. I'm going to need liquid courage before making small talk with the people here.

"Do you see Brooks anywhere?" Veronica asks as she glances around the area.

"Nope," I say, not even pretending to move my eyes, and she pouts at me.

"Can you at least try and pretend like you care about being here?"

"Why do I need to when you're doing it enough for the both of us?"

Before she can respond, some dude's arm slings around my shoulders.

The grimy touch belongs to Wade Kensington. Brooks' best friend since childhood, just like Nico. Only difference is that Nico's the angel on Brooks' shoulder while Wade is the devil. In fact, Wade makes Brooks seem like a saint.

"Lookin' good this summer, Baker," Wade says, breathing in my face. His clothes also reek of weed.

I pinch my thumb and index finger together and peel his hand away from my body. "Not interested, Wade."

"You sure about that? Let me take you out next week and show you just how much your mind can change."

"It's not changing. Trust me," I stoically state.

He doesn't argue, and instead centers his body, tilting his head at Veronica. "Who's your friend?"

"V-V-V," Veronica stutters, and Wade gives her a confused look.

"Veronica?" I speak for her, shaking my head slowly and moving my eyes from side-to-side.

Wade reaches for her hand. "Pleasure," he says before placing a kiss on the front of her palm.

She's putty in his hands while I'm heaving.

Wade then turns to face me. "So, what do you say?"

"To what?" I blink.

"Me taking you out next week?"

"The same thing that I said to you 30 seconds ago. Not interested."

"C'mon, Baker. Give me a chance," he pleads, reaching for the top of my arm. But before I can reject him for a third time, I hear someone call out:

"Cut the shit, Kensington."

Those lovely words come from Brooks himself, who saunters over to us dressed in all-white. He has a scowled look on his face, and damn, if it's not the hottest thing that I've ever seen.

"What's a guy gotta do to charm the likes of this one?" Wade asks Brooks, pointing his thumb to me.

"I don't know," Brooks says, shoving at his friend's shoulders to create some space between us. "Maybe try not hovering."

Wade rubs at the spot, but doesn't say anything, and I can't help but sense a bit of jealousy from Brooks.

"Why don't you go get us something to drink, Wade?" Brooks asks, but it sounds more like a command.

Wade rolls his eyes disappointingly. "Cockblock," he mutters under his breath before heading towards the kitchen.

Brooks watches him leave then centers his body. "You must be Veronica," he says to my friend.

"H-h-hi," she stutters again.

"You work with Remi at Meadows, right?" he asks, lending out his hand to introduce himself. "Brooks."

"I know," Veronica says, her smile wider than ever. "I mean, hi! It's nice to meet you."

Brooks then looks to me. "You good, Red? Can I get you anything?"

"I'm sorry...who?" I ask and Brooks just laughs. I must remember to stop doing things that get him to laugh. It's too...adorable.

"Yo, Brooks," some guy shouts from afar, and Brooks turns his head before whipping his body back to us.

"Sorry, girls, gotta go play host. But," he says with his arms open wide like he's some sort of king, "mi casa es su casa."

"Ah, nice to know you actually learned something in Spanish last year," I quip.

He walks backwards, wagging his finger at me. "AP Spanish, baby, and don't you forget it."

When he's no longer in view, Veronica speaks up, "Great...smart as fuck, too."