Chapter 9 Setting Up For The Party

• Ambre
• "We need help, this is quite a load!" I rush to the door, leaving the pile of food and drink I had put in the fridge, and find my two best friends carrying a huge box at arm's length, their cheeks flushed and their foreheads sweating. I don't have time to call them before they walk past me to take it out of their hands. They leave it in the middle of the living room and start unpacking.
• Friday has come and with it the time for preparations!
• "Do you know how to plug it in?" Jayden asks.
• "Yes, look at this wire, it goes there..." Esther accompanies her words with gestures and shows my stepbrother how to operate the sound system. While Holly and Cameron return to the kitchen to put the groceries away, I feel obligated to stay with my best friend so as not to leave her alone with Jayden. Arms crossed, I watch as they work on their task, trying again and again to find the right connections. Concentrated, Esther seems completely unperturbed by my stepbrother, whom she watches with interest, completely ignoring my presence.
• "I think it's good this time."
• "We'll do a test. Do you have your phone?"
• Jayden holds out his hand to Esther, waiting for her to give him her phone.
• "No, my songs are crap. Ambre, give me yours."
• They both turn to me, inviting me to connect my iPhone to the sound system. I loosen my arms, which have been pressed to my chest for a good ten minutes, and reach into the back pocket of my shorts. I take out my white iPhone, which I unlock to select music, and join them.
• "Where do I plug it in?" I ask, feeling a bit stupid.
• "Give it to me, I'll do it."
• Jayden approaches me and takes the phone from my hand, accidentally brushing against my fingers. I feel like this contact has gone on longer than necessary, but he shows no recoil or disgust. As if he hadn't even noticed that we had touched. For my part, I feel as if the temperature of my cheeks has shot up and my breathing has quickened. I really have to learn to relax... A little embarrassed, I hand him the phone and hurry out of the room towards the kitchen. A few minutes later, a very loud noise echoes throughout the house, shaking the furniture in its path. The party can begin!
• "Are you sure I should wear this?" I hesitantly take a last look at myself in the mirror of my room. The girls wanted to pick out my outfit for tonight and I'm quite doubtful about the effect it will have. I swore I would never let them do that, and here I am wearing a dress that Holly picked out for me. I have no willpower...
• Straight and in a solid bottle green, it falls above the knee. Slightly open on either side of my legs, it has no neckline or bare back. Except that it is cut under the armpits, showing the beginning of my breasts, and therefore should be worn without a bra. I even suspect that my friend chose it for that reason...
• "Yes, it's perfect. With your silver heels, a braid and a little makeup, you will turn heads," Holly enthuses. I look at Esther for help, but she looks at me and nods in agreement.
• "I agree. It's a very good choice!"
• Resigned, I grimace at the image reflected in the mirror. After all, this outfit is not vulgar and it suits me quite well. It even brings out the blonde in my hair. I raise my arms, trying to see if the dress won't show half of my butt or one of my nipples when I've had a few drinks. Nothing. I move my legs, my shoulders, and jump up and down in front of the amused looks of my two accomplices.
• "No, no, no. I see where you're going with this, but this dress has no flaws! Forget it, I'm not moving. You're wearing it, end of story."
• They both begin to put on their outfits. While Holly has chosen a black lace jumpsuit with a pair of platform shoes, Esther has chosen a small pale pink fitted tunic to wear with gold pumps.
• "OK, I'm going to grab my makeup!" I call from the hallway as I head for the bathroom.
• I open the door wide and... I come face to face with my two stepbrothers.
• "Watch it little sis, we could have been naked!" Cameron throws his hands up in the air and gives me a mischievous grin before winking.
• I chuckle in amusement, cupping my hand over my mouth as I apologize for not knocking. He's dressed in light jeans and a sky-blue patterned t-shirt, his hair disheveled and his three-day beard unkempt. His outfit is in stark contrast to Jayden's, who is leaning behind him at the sink, casually running his hands through his hair to style it. He's wearing dark blue jeans and a plain black polo shirt, and I can't help but find him very attractive.
• "Hey, I know someone who's going to regret letting you go when he sees you tonight." Cameron whistles at me and takes my hand to turn me around. I laugh like an idiot, happy to see that my outfit is having an effect.
• Jayden, who has completely ignored me since I walked in, finally turns his face in my direction. He furrows his eyebrows as he scans me from head to toe, his gaze lingering on my chest, half visible on either side of the dress.
• What's his problem? Does he want to take a picture of me or something?
• Finally, he anchors his eyes in mine, making me almost choke on my own saliva.
• Breathe, Ambre.
• He grabs a bottle of perfume, sprays it on his polo shirt and leaves the bathroom without another word or attention... The ice king is back. Note to myself: to have a good evening, ignore Jayden.