Read Online Falling to Pieces by Amber Garza - Free Book Online Page B

arrival to the crowd in the kitchen. A group of guys sitting around the kitchen table whip their heads in our direction. When their eyes rove over my body, I hug myself and look away. If I do end up meeting someone it won’t be one of them. Judging by the glazed look on their faces, I would say they’re already pretty hammered. Billie follows Brandon toward a couple of ice chests, and I practically cling to Billie’s back. We make our way past the counter and out of the corner of my eye I see a couple sitting on barstools and talking. When the guy laughs, I freeze. I’d recognize that laugh anywhere. Slowly I pivot my head in their direction, and a surprised breath escapes from my lips. Luckily he’s not looking at me. No, he’s pretty intent on the cute blond he’s chatting with. Jealousy rears its ugly head, and I shove it down.
    “Beer?” Bi llie asks, shoving something ice cold into my hand.
    I am in a state of shock , and my fingers don’t seem to be working properly. The beer slips from my hand and crashes to the floor. Cheeks reddening, I lean over and scoop it up.
    “Ivy?” Asher’s stunned voice says from behind me.
    Billie’s mouth flies open, and her gaze shoots over my shoulder as I stand back up. She gives me an apologetic look, but I just shake my head. It’s not her fault. She didn’t know he’d be here. How could she? Since when did Asher start hanging with this crowd? He’d only been back a week and apparently he’d already made a slew of new friends, including Miss-Blond-Thing over there. Of course I don’t know why I’m surprised. He’s always been charming and easy to get to know.
    Holding the beer in my hand, I turn toward him and give him my bravest smile. “Hey, Asher.”
    He smiles back, but I can still see the disappointment in his eyes betraying his true feelings for me. Unable to look any longer, I hold my head high and walk out of the kitchen. Once I’m in the family room I allow myself to breathe. I lean against the wall and take huge, heaving breaths in an effort to regain composure. Not only is Asher here, but he’s with another girl, and I dropped a beer in front of him. At this point I’m not sure this night can get any worse, but knowing my luck it probably will. I’m hoping I can talk Billie into leaving now.
    Billie races to me. “Oh, Ivy, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he’d be here.”
    “I know.” I sigh.
    “Are you gonna be okay?” She asks with concern etched on her face.
    I open my mouth prepared to say no and ask her to leave, but then Brandon calls out, “Hey, Billie, come here, check this out.”
    Her eyes light up for a moment. T hen they find mine again and grow serious. Billie has done so much for me, and I know she wants to stay here. I can’t make her leave just yet. Despite what she said earlier, I can tell she likes this guy. I contemplate asking for her keys again, but what kind of friend would I be if I leave her to fend for herself at this party? I don’t really know Brandon that well, so I should probably stay and have her back.
    “I’ll be fine.” I force a smile.
    “Thanks.” She leans in close. “Besides, maybe this is good. There are a lot of cute guys here. Go mingle. Maybe you can even make Asher a little jealous.”
    I roll my eyes as she heads toward Brandon. Holding the beer far from my body, I pop the top. Fizz sprays out of it and foam fills the lid. I suck it off with my mouth, while shaking the liquid off my hand.
    “Hey, need a little help with that?”
    I look up at an incredibly cute, dark haired guy. “No, I think I got it. Thanks.”
    “I’m Dustin.” He holds out his hand.
    I wipe my sticky hand on my dress before extending it. “Ivy.”
    “Oh, I like that. It’s like —”
    “Poison Ivy. Yeah, I know. I get that a lot,” I interject, not wishing to hear the nickname Asher has for me come out of anyone else’s mouth.
    Dustin chuckles. “No, I wasn’t going to say that. I was actually going to say