Alex's POV
The drive to the party was a quiet one, at least for me. Michael, as usual, was busy running his mouth about God knows what. I tuned him out after the third comment about how wild the night was going to be. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy going out; it was just that these parties were all the same—loud music, drunk people making fools of themselves, and someone inevitably puking on an expensive rug.
Still, I had nothing better to do. A night of letting Michael drag me around was better than sitting alone in my penthouse drowning in emails and paperwork. The city lights blurred as I drove, the low hum of the engine filling the silence between Michael's ramblings.
When we finally pulled up to the house—a sprawling mansion belonging to the mayor's son—it was clear this party was no small affair. Cars were parked in every available space along the driveway and curb, from beat-up sedans to sleek sports cars. The house itself was lit up like a Christmas tree, with music booming so loud I could feel the bass thumping in my chest even from the street.
Michael let out an appreciative whistle as he stepped out of the car. "Man, they weren't kidding. This place is packed. Let's go, bro."
I locked the car and followed him, shoving my hands into the pockets of my leather jacket. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of fall, and I could see our breaths in the cool night. It was the kind of weather that could snap you awake, but tonight it felt almost suffocating.
As we approached the front door, I could see people spilling out onto the lawn, laughing, talking, and some already tipsy enough to be stumbling. The front porch was crowded with more people, red cups in hand and cigarettes dangling from their fingers.
The inside was worse. The second we walked through the door, the smell of alcohol and sweat hit me like a punch to the face. The living room was packed wall-to-wall with bodies, some dancing to the music, others shouting over it to be heard. A couple was making out in the corner, completely oblivious to the world around them.
"Classy," I muttered under my breath.
Michael nudged me with his elbow, grinning. "Relax, man. This is what college is all about."
I didn't bother responding. Instead, I followed him as he weaved his way through the crowd. We headed toward the kitchen, which was just as packed as the living room. The counters were covered in bottles of every kind—vodka, whiskey, tequila, mixers—and there was a keg in the corner with a line of people waiting their turn.
Michael grabbed a couple of beers and handed one to me. I accepted it without much enthusiasm, twisting off the cap and taking a swig.
"Whose party is this, anyway?" I asked, leaning against the counter.
Michael grinned, taking a long sip of his beer before answering. "The mayor's kid. Apparently, his parents are out of town for the weekend, so he decided to throw a rager. Everyone who's anyone is here tonight."
I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know him?"
Michael shrugged. "I don't. But I know someone who knows someone who got the invite. It's all about connections, my friend."
I rolled my eyes, taking another sip of my beer. This was typical Michael—dragging me to a party full of strangers just because it was "the place to be."
The music shifted to a new song, even louder than the last, and I could feel the vibrations through the floor. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and perfume, and the noise was starting to give me a headache.
"I'm going to look around," I said, pushing off the counter.
Michael gave me a mock salute. "Don't get lost, bro."
I made my way through the crowd, dodging dancers and stepping over discarded cups. The house was huge, with multiple rooms branching off the main hallway. I passed a couple of people making out against the wall, their hands wandering shamelessly, and kept moving until I found the stairs.
Upstairs was quieter, the music muffled but still present. I headed toward the balcony, drawn by the promise of fresh air. When I stepped outside, the cool breeze was a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the house.
The balcony overlooked the backyard, which was just as crowded as the inside. People were dancing under strings of fairy lights, their laughter carrying up to where I stood. A bonfire crackled in the corner of the yard, surrounded by a group of people passing around a bottle.
I leaned against the railing, nursing my beer as I let my eyes roam over the scene below. I recognized a few faces—classmates from school, mostly—but none that I was particularly interested in.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it.
A pink Porsche pulling up to the curb.
My eyes zeroed in on the car as it came to a stop, the passenger door opening to reveal a girl climbing out. No, not just any girl. Her.
The girl from Friday.
Amber.
I straightened instinctively, my grip tightening on the railing as I watched her. She was laughing at something one of her friends said, her face lighting up in a way that made my chest tighten unexpectedly. Her hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, catching the light from the streetlamps.
She was wearing a simple dress—nothing flashy, but it hugged her figure in all the right ways. Her legs seemed to go on forever, and the way she carried herself, with that quiet confidence, made it impossible to look away.
She turned to grab something from the car, giving me a perfect view of her profile. Her friend said something else, and she laughed again, the sound carrying faintly to where I stood.
I couldn't tear my eyes away.
What the hell was she doing here?
I didn't even realize I was gripping the railing hard enough to make my knuckles turn white until I forced myself to relax. My heart was racing, and I hated it. Hated how easily she got under my skin without even knowing it.
Amber and her friends headed toward the house, disappearing from view as they walked through the front door. I let out a slow breath, trying to shake off the strange mix of emotions swirling in my chest.
Intrigue. Annoyance. Something else I didn't want to name.
I finished my beer in one long gulp, the bitter liquid burning as it went down. I had no idea why I couldn't stop thinking about her, why my eyes kept searching for her in every room.
But one thing was certain—this night just got a lot more interesting.