Page 97 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)
My jaw unhinges when my head sways to the left and then the right. Although the party takes place in a backyard, it isn’t your typicalbackyard party. It’s lavishly decorated, dripping with gold and glittering decorations that steal my attention.
I glance down to my dress, and I’m suddenly thankful that Stone made me wear it. We fit right in.
“This is…” My sentence trails off.
“Absolutely ridiculous and over the top?” Stone mumbles.
He places his hand at the small of my back, and I laugh.
“I was going to say extravagant.”
“Martha knows no limits when it comes to party planning.” He pauses. “Especially when she has my father’s Amex.” His shoulders bunch up for a moment before his lips flatten. “Speaking of the step-monster…”
“Stone,” I warn.
It’s hard not to feel slightly resentful with his digs toward his parents. I understand that he didn’t have the most loving or attentive father, but what I would have given to grow up with privilege instead of poverty. At least Stone’s dad isn’t a junkie.
“There you are!” Martha makes a beeline for Stone with open arms and a slightly dazed smile.
Her pretty blue eyes are glossy, and I choke on air when she shoves me into her chest, crushing me with a soul-sucking hug.
Stone grunts with humor. I shoot him a glare, and he rolls his eyes.
“When Stone told me he was bringing hisgirlfriendI almost fell out of my chair.”
Stone whispers behind me, and I’m thankful Martha didn’t hear.“It was probably all the cocktails.”
“The party is beautiful,” I say, complimenting her. “Stone told me that he wishes you’d throw him a party like this one day.”
I smirk.
Stone steals a flute of champagne off a butler’s tray and chugs it.
“Oh, I wish he’d let me!” Martha’s excitement is obvious with the high-pitched noise she makes. “Oh, just wait! Maybe I’ll be planning your wedding one day.”
Stone wraps his arm around my waist. “Oh, look, time to go.”
He starts to back us away, but Martha’s hand falls to my shoulder.
“Wait! Here comes your father. Make sure you tell him happy birthday.”
My heart skips a beat, and suddenly, I feel anxious. Stone stiffens, and his arm falls from my hip. He reaches his hand out and shakes his father’s. Daniel Foster is just as tall as Stone and just as intimidating too.
“Good to see you, son.”
Stone keeps their handshake short. “Happy birthday.”
I inhale a short breath and smile. Daniel is clearly unaware that it is impolite not to thank someone who has wished you a happy birthday, but I smile, nonetheless.
“Dad, this is Wren Da—”
Daniel’s cheek lifts, and his hands find their way into his pockets. “Wren Davis. Yes, I know who she is.”
It didn’t sound like a good thing, but I’m used to that.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Foster.” I fake a smile and shift closer to Stone. A strange sense of protectiveness flies through me, and just like that, I’m ready to leave.
“Thank you.”