The assholes laugh harder.

But Royce is right and I think Captain knew what he was getting at before they started fucking with me.

Other than the obvious banging body, Raven’s got that ‘fuck you and your world’ attitude - something we’re not used to. It only adds to her appeal.

She’s sexy, likes to argue, and breaks the mold we’ve set.

But it’s more than that. There’s something about her that screams at something deep inside me, only I have no idea what. She’s almost a mystery, one I need to unravel ... with my teeth.

Like I said, she’s trouble.

Problem is, I like the taste of trouble.

“Get up, let’s go.”

I lift my eyes to the girl in front of me. I forget her damn name again but don’t bother asking. “And where is it you think I’ll be going?”

“Maybell goes to bingo and has a few the first Saturday of the month, you know, after payday. She won’t check beds tonight.”

“So lemme guess ... you’re going out?”

She sneers. “We are going out. No way are we letting you stay here to snitch us out. Let’s go.”

I slowly stand, dusting off the back of my sweats. “First of all, don’t imply I’m a snitch – if it doesn’t affect me, I don’t give a shit. And second, I do what the fuck I want, not what I’m told.”

The girl takes a half a step toward me but pauses when Nira calls out behind her.

“Back off, Victoria.”

Oh right, that was her name.

Nira walks over. “Just come to the party, Rae. You don’t have a damn thing better to do.”

“True, but now I wanna stay to spite Victoria, here.”

When Victoria’s eyes narrow farther, my mouth tips up in a grin.

“You’re gonna need someone to buy from when your stash runs out, right?”

My eyes cut back to Nira and she smirks. Little does she know, Bass could help me out with that. Not directly, but still.

“Come on, girl. There’ll be plenty of wannabe dealers there happy to skimp you on a sack. Weed’s not as good here as you’re probably used to, but it’ll serve its purpose.”

I laugh lightly, knowing she’s right about that. The Valley grows the good shit.

I look to Victoria. “Guess you’ll be getting your way tonight.”

Her eyes rake over my outfit and her pointy nose scrunches. “Maybe you should change.”

“Maybe you should fuck off.”

With a huff, she stomps toward the curb and looks down the street.

I turn back to Nira.

“Victoria’s boyfriend is driving us tonight, so don’t start shit by flirting with him, we don’t need added problems and he won’t cheat on her.”

Suspicion has me frowning.

When Nira glances off, I let out a humorless laugh. “You read my file.”

She considers lying, but stands taller instead. “We read all the new girls’ files. We deserve to know about people we’re forced to live with.”

“So you gathered I’m a whore?”

“You’re the daughter of one,” she throws out unapologetically. “I know firsthand our parents’ problems are quick to become ours.”

I don’t say anything because there’s no point. Nothing I say would matter.

If she lived half the life I did, the only thing we can trust is what we see with our own eyes.

The words of others mean jack.

Promises are a way of ending an unwanted conversation.

And lies make our world go round.

“You good in what you have on? ‘Cause her guy will be here in a few minutes.”

I look down at my joggers and black long sleeve. “Kinda party we talkin’?”

She grins. “House party for spoiled assholes. Huge, flaunty house and hoes galore. You think the jerks at our school come off privileged? These people are so flaunty they could give Beverly Hills a run for their money.”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back,” I tell her and head for the house.

Last thing I want is to draw attention to myself and if these people are as flashy as she’s letting on, then they’ll pick me and my baggy sweats out in the crowd in an instant. At least with pants I can shoot for invisible.

I walk past the girls playing around in the living room and make my way to my room, pulling out a pair of jeans and a white tank that hits just above my stomach. I grab my grey and black flannel and throw it over, stuff some cash in my back pocket, my pocket knife in my front, and head out the door.

And speaking of cash, I’m gonna need to talk with Bass again before I get too low.

Right when I reach the girls, Victoria’s boyfriend pulls up – a guy I recognize from school.

“Hey, baby,” he greets her and gives us a small wave.

She pulls the seat forward in his ancient, two-door and we silently climb into the back.

I ignore the conversation on the way over, quietly considering what I’m willing to spend on what’s probably shitty weed in the first place while I note the street names the entire way over – never know when you might need to find your own way back. Before I realize it, we’re pulling behind a pile of cars on a huge court.

“Damn.”

Nira nods and climbs out ahead of me.

I look from the group of people on the lawn to the ones walking up a driveway the size of two basketball courts.

We get halfway up the driveway when Victoria turns to me with her freaky, narrowed stink eyes. “Don’t mention being from Brayshaw.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said,” she snaps before stomping off, her man trailing behind her and I can’t help but laugh.

Nira shakes her head, at Victoria or me, I don’t know or care, and veers left.

I look over to see the other girls from the group home gathered near the porch, beers in hand, but I don’t join. Instead, I make my way through the open garage and into the giant ass house.

Music blares from all around. Clearly, there’s some badass sound system set up in the walls – the base surrounds you.

Dozens upon dozens of teenagers are scattered around, dancing, drinking, and laughing with their friends.

I’m knocked to the side as I squeeze past a dancing couple, and the girl spins to glare as if she didn’t just bump into me, but before she can pop off, the guy pulls her back in.

I make my way around the corner to the open kitchen where a group of guys are playing a card game at the table, cigars hanging from most of their mouths.

The blond one in the center catches my eye and winks before dropping his cards on the table, apparently winning his hand if the others’ groans tell me anything. He must consider me impressed because a smirk is thrown my way next.

I offer a wink and continue past, taking it upon myself to grab a water bottle from the ice bucket on the counter.

As I spin back around, blondie steps in front of me. “And who might you be, sweetness?”

“A figment of your imagination.” I grin, attempting to side step him, but he slides with me.

“My imagination has always been damn good to me,” he teases.

“I bet.” I laugh lightly. “I’d also bet you don’t have to use it all too often.” I purposely let my eyes graze over his physique – he’s firm in all the right places. “Or do the girls not fall at the man of the house’s feet?” I throw out my guess and he smiles, telling me without words I’m right.