The Impact of You

Chapter 20

Avery

The email sitting in my inbox is taunting me, distracting me in the most wondrous way. It’s a follow-up from the adoption agency. It’s a simple, three-line email, but the news it contains is about to change my life. They’ve confirmed that they mailed the information about my birth mother to my dorm address. I even have a tracking number to chart the package’s progress if I want. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I shove away from my desk, unable to stare at the words any longer. I need to get dressed anyway, and finish drying my hair. Madison’s humming to herself as she applies the rest of her makeup in front of the full-length mirror, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. Now that the information is on its way, it feels like a ticking time bomb, surely set to explode in my face once it finds me. I suppose I don’t have to open it if I don’t want to. Who am I kidding? Of course I’ll open it. I’ve waited nineteen years to know this information. No matter what happens, something inside me needs to know.

Mitch never called, not that I care. I’d rather be with Jase anyway. I put my hair up in a ponytail, knowing there will be no taming its crazy tonight, and check my outfit in the mirror. Dark skinny jeans, ballet flats and a simple white silk top, rolled at the elbows. I add a few colorful beaded necklaces and call it good.

“You look pretty.” Madison smiles at my reflection. She has a date tonight, but she’s being surprisingly cool and level-headed about me going to the Delta Sig party.

“Thanks. You look smokin’.” Her little purple dress and cowgirl boots couldn’t be more adorable. I would totally need to borrow those at some point.

She pulls me in for an unexpected hug. “Jase better know how great you are. He does anything to mess this up, I’ll feed him his balls,” she says, patting my back.

I nod silently. I don’t tell her that I’m probably going to be the one to mess things up.

When I reach the house, I’m happy to see Jase was right. It’s a low key party compared to their usual bashes. Tonight is close friends only. There are about thirty people there, spread out in the living room and kitchen, mingling and talking against the backdrop of low music. It’s a totally different vibe than their usual raging parties. It’s nice.

Unfortunately, Stacia is one of the few guests here. She grins at me coyly. I know she hates my friendship with Jase, and I hate her very existence. It’s a strange thing that all of that is communicated in a single glance shared between us.

I find Jase in the kitchen, a bottle of beer dangling from his hand, and a cool, easy smile on his lips as he talks to Trey. I take a moment just to admire him across the room. It’s nice to see him relaxed like this. His hip is leaning against the counter, his feet crossed at the ankles. HisT-shirt is a size too small and hugs his biceps nicely. I let out a contented sigh and saunter toward him.

Jase’s eyes find mine and his smile widens. “Whistle! Get your hot ass over here.” He reaches for me once I’m close and pulls me to his side.

Part of me absolutely loves how close we’re becoming. Part of me is terrified by it. Jase doesn’t yet know my past, and I have no idea how things will pan out when he does. But when the heavy weight of his arm curls around my waist and pulls me close, all my fears vanish. Standing at his side, I can pretend for just a moment that I belong here, that all is okay. I smile at his dumbass friend Trey, tap my feet to the music and gratefully take the can of soda Jase passes me.

Jase is still watching me, his brilliant blue eyes sparkling. I love the way he looks at me, but it’s getting me all flustered. My eyes reluctantly leave his, only to be assaulted by two sorority girls eagerly making out for show. Gah! I can’t un-see that. Yes, because I wanted to develop eye-cancer tonight.

“I’ll be right back. I’m just gonna run to the bathroom.” All these overdressed girls have me wanting to go check my reflection.

Jase nods and removes his warm arm from my waist.

I round the corner and run smack into Stacia. She staggers back, her eyes unfocused as she takes me in. Great. She’s drunk again. If she thinks she’s staying the night in Jase’s room, she’s wrong. Hell, I’ll stay there myself just to be sure. The thought makes my stomach flip.

I plant my hands on my hips, mentally preparing for the showdown she’s intent we have. “Excuse me, can I go by?” I say, struggling to keep my voice calm.

She rolls her eyes, pointing a manicured finger in my face. “You won’t last, you know. He’ll sleep with you, then move on like he does with all the rest. I’m the only one who sticks around. It’s always been that way and always will be.”

I push my shoulders back and fake a confidence I don’t feel. “Back off, Stacia. I’m seeing Jase. Not you.” Wow, that popped out of nowhere, but maybe it’s at least partially true.

“Not exclusively,” she returns, batting her eyelashes, leaving me to wonder what the hell she means.

She’s rendered me momentarily speechless. Bitter words die on my tongue, and I shove my way around her. Fighting my way into the bathroom, I slump against the door and breathe. A pale, wide- eyed girl stares back at me. God! I hate Stacia. I hate that I let her get to me. I don’t know what Jase and I have; I only know I don’t want her having any part of it.

I give myself a pep-talk, use the restroom, wash my hands and then attempt to rejoin the party. Only I’m stopped in my tracks again, this time by something a million times worse than facing off with Stacia. My stomach drops to my feet.

Marcy Capri, with the same frizzy blond hair she had in high school, is standing in the hall, deep in conversation with Stacia.

Shit!

I slip around the corner before they spot me, my heart staggering and tripping over itself. Every part of me shakes and my head is a mess. I do the only thing I can think to do. I reach in my pocket, drag out my whistle and blow it as hard as I can.