I take my time and finish my water before heading back inside. The party is going strong, but I don’t feel the need to socialize. Ariel’s secret has me feeling a little melancholy, so I decided to find out if my bedroom door has a lock. I don’t need Caleb finding me again, or, God forbid, Heidi. There’s nothing more I can say to either of them that hasn’t already been said.

When I reach my room and investigate the door handle, I smile when I see there is a lock. I twist it and shut the door; Roxanne will just have to knock when she wants in. I sit on the bed and lie back on the pillows; I would change my clothes but not while there’s a bunch of people here. Lock or no lock, no one needs to see me in my pj’s. My phone vibrates against the nightstand where I left it to charge, so I pick it up. Immediately, worry sets in. There are a ton of alerts – all from Latson. I click on the text messages first, even though there is voicemail, too.

We need to talk. Where are you?

I left you a message. Did you get it?

Answer the phone please.

Are you avoiding me?  Call me as soon as you get this.

What is going on?  Quickly, I go to my voicemail. Latson sounds pissed:

“Jen. I just talked to you. How could you not say anything?  I had to find out from Dean?  What the hell?”

Then, twenty minutes later: “Damn it!”

And then, seconds ago: “I’m sorry. I’m not mad. Just … call me.”

My stomach sinks as my head spins. I jump off the bed and leave the room, bent on finding Dean. What could he have told Latson to upset him?  I make my way around bodies, even pushing a few out of the way so I can see. I spot Dean near the center of the room; he’s still talking to Caleb. I march in his direction, then grab his arm without saying a word and pull him to the side.

“What the –?” He frowns. “What’s the matter?”

“What did you tell Latson?”

He looks confused. “I didn’t tell him anything. Why?”

“He’s pissed at me for something you said.” I let him listen to the message.

Dean looks legitimately confused and pulls his phone out of his pocket. “I haven’t talked to him since early this morning.”

I look at my phone and tap Latson’s number, then hold my breath as it rings in my ear. He answers almost immediately.

“Jen.” He sounds defeated, even sad.

“Hey.” I wrap my free arm around my waist. “I just got your messages. My phone was charging. What’s wrong?”

He lets out an annoyed breath. “You’re still at the party?  Really?”

Damn the music. “Yes. Why does it matter?”

“Because –” He stops talking and changes his tone. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

He’s silent for a moment before he asks, “Are you really going to play this game?  Why can’t you be honest with me?”

I’m so lost. I wish he’d just come out and say –

Dean taps me on the shoulder. When I turn around, he looks white as a ghost. He holds up his phone, so I can see the screen. It’s his text message thread with Latson, and the last thing sent is a picture. My breath catches when I realize what it is. It’s a picture of a positive pregnancy test followed by the words:

Look what I found in your girlfriend’s bathroom. Congrats, Dad.

Chapter Twenty Three

“Heidi,” Dean and I say in unison.

“What?” Latson’s voice sounds in my ear.

I open my mouth to explain as Dean says, “I’m on it.” His eyes flash before he turns and walks away.

“Jen?  Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here.” I start to make my way back to my bedroom. “Let me get out of this noise.” I weave my way around bodies, and then shut the door behind me. “It’s not what you think,” I say when I’m alone. “I saw Dean’s phone. He didn’t send you that text.”

“Then who did?”

I get sarcastic. “The one and only Heidi.” God, that woman is a bitch. Not only did she invade my personal space, she involved Dean.

“Are you telling me there isn’t a pregnancy test in your bathroom?” Latson sounds like he doesn’t believe me.

“No, there is.” I start walking in that direction. “But it’s not mine.”

He lets out a heavy sigh. “What is going on?”

I flip the light switch and see the test on the counter, next to the sink where Ariel left it. I don’t feel right sharing her situation, but, then again, Latson knows she came to see me earlier. “Remember the last time we talked?  Who interrupted us?”

“Ariel. So?”

“So?” I frown into the phone. “Put two and two together. The test isn’t mine. I’m not pregnant.”

Latson’s silent, so I decide to elaborate. “Heidi and I … we got into it tonight. She must have snooped around my room. I was with Dean and Caleb when she asked to borrow Dean’s phone. I should have known she was up to something by the look on her face.” I pause, thinking about it. “I’m sure she thinks she caught me hiding a secret.” Well, I am hiding a secret. Just not my own.

Latson still doesn’t say anything, and I start to feel uneasy. I wait a second or two before asking, “You believe me, right?  You know there’s no way the test is mine. We’ve been safe every time.”

He finally responds. “Sometimes things fail.”

His tone makes me wonder if he wants me to be pregnant. “Are you disappointed?”

“Yes.”

My mouth falls open. “What?”

“Why were you with Caleb?” He clips his words. “Why is he there?”

So that’s what he’s disappointed about. “I wasn’t with him,” I explain. “I had no idea he was here until he pulled me aside and asked me not to bring up the past to Dean. He’s worried you’re filling my head and I’m sharing the details. I told him you weren’t and I wasn’t.”

“I don’t like him talking to you,” Latson says. “I don’t want him anywhere near you.”

I want to tell him I can hold my own, but instead I say, “I’ll try to avoid him, but I never know when he’s going to be around. He seems determined to sign Dean.”

“I’m sure he is,” Latson snaps.

I wonder why Caleb wants Dean so badly, but I don’t ask. Latson’s agitated enough for one night. I wish he were here, so we could get lost in each other and forget the outside world.

“I’ll make sure Heidi’s taken care of,” Latson interrupts my thoughts. “I meant what I said before. I can get her kicked off the tour, and I will. There’s no reason for her to mess with you like this.”

“I think Dean may have beat you to it,” I say. “He went to find her.” I’m quiet before I add, “She’s in love with you, you know. That’s why she acts the way she does. She wants you.”

Latson scoffs. “Her actions aren’t love. They’re infatuation and greed.”

I can imagine her reaction when she’s forced to go home. If she’s kicked off the tour, I’m sure she’ll pay Latson a visit. Or two. Or three. “Maybe it would be better if she stays here and far away from you,” I say.

“Do you think I’d let her get to me?”

“I don’t know,” I tease. “She was all over your lap the first time I met her.”

Latson doesn’t think I’m funny. “Seriously?  You’re going to throw that in my face when you’re surrounded by guys?”

Whoa. “I was kidding.”

“No, you weren’t. You’ve brought this up before, when you thought Heidi and I were dating.”

I get defensive. “What did you expect?  She was all over you.”

“What was I supposed to do?  Shove her on the floor?  I told you I was numb.  I didn’t care about anything back then, other than work and Oliver.”

My stomach starts to knot. How did we start fighting?  “I’m not doing this,” I say.

“Not doing what?”

“Fighting with you. Heidi sent that picture to start crap and it’s working.”

Latson sighs and I picture him rubbing the tension from the back of his neck.

“I shouldn’t have tried to joke about Heidi,” I say. “I just know how she is around you.”