CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
HATE MIGHT BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT
THEO’S POV
“Where the hell is Mateo anyway?” I finally mutter, setting my controller down with more force than necessary. The game flickers on pause, engines roaring on mute.
Brian sprawls on the beanbag next to me, shoving a handful of chips in his mouth. “Who knows? Last I checked, everyone’s raving about Derek’s party. Feels like the whole school’s there.”
“I know,” I bite out, running a hand through my hair. That damn party has been shoved in my face all day, like Derek’s doing the universe some favor by hosting it.
I snatch my phone off the table and hit Mateo’s number. He picks up on the third ring and my eardrums become a host to a flood of bass, laughter, and the crackle of too-loud music.
“Theo!” His voice is half-yelled, h
