I nodded. I didn’t really understand, because I never did drugs except that one time I accidentally had pot cupcakes. But I was more addicted to Matt than I think I even knew.
We both sat in silence.
I was glad James was staying with Rachel, even though his words were slightly disturbing. I wanted him to be happy. But as I thought about happiness, I realized that there was one thing holding me back from it. Isabella. She’d always be standing in my way. And I needed to make a stand. Enough was enough. I wasn’t going to suffer the same fate as poor Sir Wilfred. I was not going to be next.
“I want to do the prank,” I said into the cool autumn night.
James smiled. “Yeah?”
I nodded. I didn’t tell him that I wished that Isabella was just dead. Hopefully an innocent prank would get this feeling out of my stomach. I just needed Isabella to know I wasn’t rolling over. I wasn’t going anywhere.
“You sure? I thought you didn’t want to stoop to her level.”
“I’m not threatening to murder her. Although I don’t know why Rob keeps asking me for blueprints to my dad’s apartment.”
“Who knows.”
“But it’s still just the pudding thing, right?”
James nodded.
I took a deep breath. Pudding. It was just a silly prank. But it meant I was fighting back. “And the deal is still on? About trying to make up with Matt?”
“A deal’s a deal, Brooklyn.”
I put my hand out for him to shake.
He looked down at my bloody hand, shrugged, and shook it.
Chapter 31
Saturday
The front door opened and Matt was standing there looking…super pissed.
Crap. I stood up and stepped away from James. “Did you find Isabella?” I asked.
“Yeah, we found her. The cops are on their way. I was looking all over for you.”
I knew he was talking to me, but he was staring daggers at James. And James was wearing a cocky smile. Apparently he had no intention of helping me out and telling Matt that we were just talking.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I came out to find Miller and I ran into James.”
Matt lowered his eyebrows slightly. And I wasn’t sure if it was because of the mention of Miller or James. But he didn’t know that I’d been with Miller. Right?
I felt like I needed to give him a better explanation. “I was having another panic attack.”
Matt’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry I ran off.” He pulled me into his arms. “I wanted to make sure we caught Isabella.”
I nodded against his chest. I knew he was trying to remain calm. Because I could hear how fast his heart was racing.
People started coming out the front door.
“The party’s over,” Matt said to James.
That was a “get lost” if I ever heard one.
James laughed.
God, the last thing I needed was for them to fight again.
“Cool,” James said. “Later, Brooklyn.” He started to walk down the steps.
I held Matt tighter and hoped he wouldn’t read into James’ words. I needed the calm, supportive Matt right now. Not the angry one that got into fist fights. Matt’s heart was still stammering in his chest, but he just held me.
“I’m sorry,” I said again. “James was out here and I was having trouble catching my breath.”
“It’s okay.” Matt rested his chin on top of my head.
Red and blue lights lit up the sky as more people rushed out the front door. Yeah, the party was definitely over early.
“Come on, let’s get inside. It’s freezing out here.” Matt grabbed my hand and pulled me back into his house. I nestled myself into his chest. He held me tightly as he ran his hand up and down my back. We stood like that in the middle of the foyer until the final guests were gone. The red and blue lights flashed through the open door of the Caldwell mansion. Someone turned on the lights in the foyer, making everything a lot less spooky. Although the red and blue flashes didn’t feel reassuring.
“There you guys are,” Kennedy said and wiggled her way underneath one of Matt’s arms too. “We were looking all over for you, Brooklyn.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” I said.
“Where were you?”
“Outside. I needed some air.” I didn’t bother to mention that I’d been looking for Miller or the fact that I ran into James. None of that mattered now. All that mattered was that we had eyes on Isabella. She was pretending to sob in the corner. At least, it seemed fake to me. She had nothing to cry over except for the fact that she’d been caught.