It's Pucking Complicated

Spark and Fury

ISADORA

"A lot of people will be there and so will Halvick," he claims. "It's a good way to put it out there. And yes, we'll have to share a tent. We'll have to make a few sacrifices to get what we want."

I purse my lips. I can't argue with him, not when he's being logical. I had an idea of what I'd be getting into when I said yes to this crazy idea, so there's no point in arguing about every little thing.

It's all pretend anyway.

"Are we good here?"

I narrow my eyes. "Yes, we're good."

Knox stares at me intently, then draws back. I hadn't even realized that he was standing so close to me until now. "I'll tell you when I'll pick you up."

I huff right away. "Don't even bother trying to warn me about being late again. I won't be."

"I wasn't going to."

"Good."

It's his turn to narrow his eyes at me. Additionally, he shakes his head. "I don't get you. At all."

Before I can get another word out, someone appears beside us and the words die on my tongue. It's his teammate, Josh. He looks back and forth between the two of us, looking a little agitated, then says, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"What's it look like?" Knox asks dryly.

"I just wanted to talk to you. Is that okay, or should I come back later?'

Knox glances at me but I'm already off. "I'll be on the other side."

"Don't go too far," he claims. The warning ring in his tone just makes me roll my eyes as soon as my back is turned to him. I just needed to get away from him for a bit. Knox...he's intense. His presence isn't the kind that you can just ignore. You feel it.

I return to the party and look around briefly, this time hoping I won't spot Justin. I don't. Honestly, there are so many places he could be now that he's not next to the pool and I won't bother looking for him.

I head inside the house to find a bathroom where I can hide for a few minutes. The living room was empty when Knox and I first came in, but now, it's filling up. Groups of people are lounging on the sofas and standing around with their beers. Everywhere smells like barbecue.

I head upstairs, not caring if anyone's seeing me. All the doors are closed, so I start knocking on them to figure out if they're empty.

They're not. I even hear moaning coming from one of the closed doors.

Huffing, I have no choice but to go back downstairs. I can't believe this. People walk right past me, giggling and laughing. I return to the living room and it appears to be even more crowded than before.

Knox's warning returns to my mind, but I push it aside. Just because we're in a pretend relationship doesn't mean we have to stick together all the time That would look even more suspicious to outsiders, wouldn't it?

I stop in the middle of the living room and look around, wondering what to do next. There's always the front yard where all the cars are parked, but do I really want to have an argument with that brute about this?

I start toward the glass door and see Justin standing there, hands in his pockets and an evil look in those dark eyes. My footsteps slow and I meet his gaze steadily. Jerk. The blonde girl standing next to him hasn't even noticed that he stopped paying attention to her a long time ago.

He starts walking toward me after murmuring a few words to her and I stand my ground. Whatever comes will come. I'm ready for him.

Someone steps in front of me before he can reach me, though.

And it's the blonde guy who was staring at me outside.

Phillippe or something.

"Hey," he says warmly as he slides his hands inside his pockets. "I'm Phillippe. You're Isadora."

What do I say to this? "Uh...yeah. I am."

I look over his shoulder and see that Justin's just standing there and watching us. Phillippe speaks again, this time interrupting my train of thought. "I think it's funny that we should meet here of all places. Your father always told me that you weren't the partying type."

Pause. What? "My father...told you?"

He scratches the back of his head. That smile hasn't left his lips for a second. "Yeah."

I search his eyes, still deciding whether or not this is a joke. He doesn't give anything away and honestly, I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable. "Why would my father tell you anything? How do you know him? Is this a joke?"

The smile slips from his face. "No, it's not a joke. Look, I see now that you have no idea about me. I thought that you'd know. He never gave me the impression that you didn't know about me."

I'm even more confused. "What're you talking about?"

Phillippe doesn't have a chance to explain because Justin approaches us and even places a hand on his shoulder. The sight of his face makes my stomach churn but I don't let the mask of nonchalance slip.

"Phil," he says in a fake friendly voice before shaking his hand. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you around here anytime soon."

"Yeah. My father's in town and he wanted me to tag along with him. I thought I'd see a few of my old friends."

I look back and forth between them and seriously consider walking away. I don't understand what's going on or why they even know each other. Besides, Knox has just entered the living room and I know he's looking around for me. My gaze returns to Justin and Phillipppe who're still talking about his visit, and I decide I've just about had it.

"Where are you going, Isa?" Justin asks in that cool tone of his. "You're just gonna leave your brother and your fiancé standing here without saying anything? That's pretty rude, don't you think? I'm sure your mother taught you better than that."

Fiancé?