Chapter 16 DEBBY
BZZZ! BZZZ! BZZZ!
The relentless vibration of Debby’s phone shattered her daze. She groaned, reaching for it, only to frown when she saw the caller ID. Susan.
She hesitated before answering. “What?”
“Check your window,” Susan’s voice was smug.
Debby blinked. What was she talking about?
Dragging herself out of bed, she pushed the curtains aside and sure enough—Susan was waving at her from the next building.
Debby rolled her eyes. “Are you serious?”
Susan grinned. “Yup! Now get your butt in gear. You forgot about the party, didn’t you?”
Debby blinked again. The party.
Damn it. She had forgotten.
She had been so distracted after leaving Kyle’s place—her missing phone, her parents, everything—that the party Susan had invited her to had completely slipped her mind.
“Ugh.” She sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Give me a sec.”
Susan gave her a thumbs-up. “Make it quick! We’re gonna be late.”
Debby dropped her phone on the bed and rushed to her closet. She wasn’t even sure about the party yesterday when Susan told her about it, but right now, any excuse to get out of the house was a good one.
She didn’t want to be home. Not when everything felt so suffocating.
Her parents were acting like strangers, avoiding each other, speaking in hushed tones, and worst of all—they weren’t saying anything to her. She wasn’t going to ask anymore. She was tired.
Throwing on a black crop top and ripped jeans, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.
But just as she was about to step out—
“Where are you going?”
Debby froze.
Her mother stood just outside her door, arms crossed, eyes scanning her outfit.
Debby forced a smile. “A friend’s birthday party.”
Her mother raised a brow. “Which friend?”
Shit.
Debby’s mind scrambled for an answer. She didn’t even know whose party it was.
Thinking fast, she forced a casual shrug. “Susan’s waiting for me downstairs.”
Her mother’s expression softened slightly. Susan’s name was like a free pass. Their moms were friends, and her mother saw Susan as the perfect, responsible daughter.
“Fine,” her mother relented. “Stay safe.”
Just as Debby turned to leave, she heard her father’s voice
“Debby.”
She bit the inside of her cheek before slowly turning around.
Her mother spoke before she could. “She’s going to a birthday party.”
Her father’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Be back before eleven.”
Debby nodded quickly. “Yeah, yeah. Sure.”
“Take the driver.”
Debby frowned. “I can go on my own.”
Her father’s voice was firm. “Take. The. Driver.”
“Dad, that’s so—”
“If you refuse, you’re not going.”
Debby clenched her fists but knew better than to argue. With an annoyed sigh, she stalked past him, heading outside as Domingo followed closely behind.
As soon as they pulled out of the driveway, Debby threw the car door open.
Susan, who had been waiting on the curb, jumped in with a laugh.
“Jeez, drama much?” Susan teased, shutting the door.
Debby groaned, rubbing her temples. “You have no idea.”
Susan grinned. “Well, at least we’re going together!”
Debby shot her a glare. “Oh, speaking of which—who the hell’s birthday is this anyway?”
Susan blinked at Debby. “You don’t know whose birthday it is?”
Debby shook her head.
Susan’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
Debby crossed her arms. “Dead serious.”
Susan rolled her eyes and smacked her playfully on the shoulder. “You’re hopeless.”
Debby smirked. “I prefer mysterious.”
Susan huffed. “It’s Kyle’s.”
Debby’s smile froze.
Her eyes widened as she whipped her head around. “Which Kyle?”
Susan gave her a look. “How many Kyles do you know?”
Debby’s stomach dropped.
“Wait—Kyle? As in hockey captain Kyle?!”
Susan nodded, looking amused.
Debby’s mouth fell open.
