right now. And I think Mom resents him for that.
Raine shrugs. âIt would be best if we donât start until midnight. We can send someone out for food and we can eat while we wait for the witching hour.â Her eyes get big and she picks up her phone again. âAnd I know the perfect person.â
âNo, donât take advantage of Lucas that way,â I say, peeking over her shoulder. Sheâs already started a text to him. âBesides, donât yâall get tired of Italian?â
She puts her phone down. âYouâre right. And he probably has to take Caitlyn home. But weâll figure out something. Maybe David will go grab us something?â
âProbably.â
She unzips her backpack so I can peek at the wooden Ouija board. It looks like a handmade piece. Not the Parker Brothers cardboard that Iâm expecting. âPretty,â I say, shuddering when I think about the movie they made me watch last night. It took me forever to fall asleep at Starlaâs house, because I was certain there were demonic entities lurking in the shadowy corners of her bedroom.
I donât think I would have gotten any sleep at all if it hadnât been for the alcohol.
âCome on, weâd better head back out there before Dragon Lady comes looking for us,â Raine says.
We go sit down out in the audience next to Lucas and Caitlyn, whoâs begging her brother to let her spend the night with the twins.
âPlease? Iâll clean my room and feed Rufus before I go.â
Lucas looks harassed. âBut Dad doesnât know Hailey and Baileyâs parents.â
âBut you do. Remember when you talked to their mom in the parking lot after auditions? And we saw them with their dad in the grocery store last weekend.â
Lucas rubs his forehead and Raine giggles. âYou know it will be fine,â she says. âShe needs a girlsâ night.â
âWhoâs Rufus?â I ask Caitlyn. Iâm kinda hoping she actually has a naked mole rat for a pet.
âMy guinea pig. You can come home and meet him if you want. But not tonight. Iâm going to Hailey and Baileyâs.â
âI didnât agree to anything yet,â Lucas says. But his sister is already giving him a hug that almost knocks him over.
âIâll tell them weâre bringing pizza. We can, right?â
Lucas sighs as she skips off.
Raine crosses her arms. âWell, if youâre getting pizza already. . .â
âNo,â I whisper, elbowing her in the ribs. And Lucas looks up at me. Really looks at me, for the first time since Winter Oaks. Or for the first time, actually. I donât think he ever paid any attention to me there.
It makes me uncomfortable.
âWhat?â he asks, his hazel eyes wary. âSounds like you two are plotting something.â
âWell, we are. Actually,â Raine says. She ignores me as I elbow her again. âA few of us are staying here late tonight and were thinking about sending out for some dinner.â
âWeâre, um, painting some of the scenery,â I say, and ignore Raine as she elbows me back.
âRight. Weâre painting the scenery. Want to join us?â she asks. âPizza optional, but always welcome.â
âI already told Mrs. Green Iâd be happy to help with the sets,â Lucas says, stuffing his hands in his pockets. âSo, pepperoni or supreme?â
Raine grins and twists one of her black curls around a finger. Is she flirting with him? âHow about one of each?â
âI can chip in,â I say.
âWe all will,â Raine says, even though I know it hadnât even occurred to her. âLet me go grab my purse.â
I get left alone here in the dark hallway with Lucas. âI need to get my purse, too,â I say and turn to leave.
âNatalie, wait.â Lucas puts his hand on my arm. And just as quickly, he lets go of me. He looks flustered as he
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