Brazen Tricks - Ali Dean Page 0,2

of them are paying much attention to what’s happening on the back deck, and Griff hasn’t noticed his stalker has arrived.

Fliss, on the other hand, isn’t really paying attention to the group of us approaching her. Nope, her eyes are glued on Griff skating. You’d think a real stalker would try to be less obvious, but I guess I have no idea. It’s probably been a while since she’s seen him in person. A shudder ripples through me. Maybe not, if she’s still in the habit of spying on him.

Lucy’s already greeted Sydney, apparently with nothing too hostile, because Syd is wishing her a happy birthday and giving her a hug. “I hope you don’t mind I brought a friend with me. This is Fliss.”

Fliss breaks her Griffin Perry trance to turn to us with a big smile. “Hey Lucy! Happy birthday.”

Lucy doesn’t acknowledge Fliss.

“Uh, Syd. Fliss was Ellie’s roommate last year. You know we already know her.”

“But I thought Ellie’s roommate’s name was Felicity.” Sydney does the most dramatic fake-surprised look I’ve ever seen. It’s as if she wants us to know she’s playing us. “Ohhh!” She turns to Fliss. “I totally forgot Fliss is a nickname for Felicity.” She then proceeds to smack her forehead with her palm. “Even better then, you all already know each other. I guess when I mentioned we were going to an old high school friend’s birthday party, I didn’t mention anyone’s names. What a coincidence!”

“Yes, what a coincidence,” Ellie mutters beside me.

Zora crosses her arms. “And you remember what else we told you about Ellie’s roommate, don’t you?”

Before Sydney can do her fake “ohhhh!” routine again, Fliss beats her to it with a high-pitched laugh. “Did Jordan tell you her little theory that I have some Instagram account about being the future Mrs. Griffin Perry? So silly. Of course I have a crush on Griff, especially after we hung out in London and everything this summer, but who wouldn’t, right?” She laughs again, but no one joins her.

Sydney puts a hand on her hip. “Guys, you know that’s a stupid theory, right? I follow Fliss on social media and it’s not that razzleydazzles account you were talking about. That handle could be any of his millions of followers.”

I’ll admit, a small part of me, and I’m sure part of everyone here, wonders if that’s true. Without any real proof, there will always be doubt. Whether she’s the one who took photos of me going to Griff and Beck’s apartment last year and threatened me or not, the girl’s behavior when it comes to Griff is definitely odd.

Beck must agree because he tells her, “Hey, I’m sorry you drove all the way here, but this is my house, and I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Syd crosses her arms. “Lucy invited me. If Fliss has to leave, I’m leaving too.”

“I know, I’m talking about both of you. This is my girlfriend’s birthday party too. I don’t really want guests who make nearly everyone else here feel uncomfortable. Like I said, I’m sorry.” I lean closer to Beck. He’s not one of those guys who can act like an asshole and not think twice about it. I’ve seen plenty of guys like that, and if they think they’re in the right, being a jerk comes easily. In this case, Beck is in the right. He’s not only sticking up for me, but for Griff too. All of us really. None of us want this kind of drama and if he can kick these girls out of our lives, excellent. But despite all that, Beck doesn’t like being mean or embarrassing people, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Only, neither Syd nor Fliss seems particularly embarrassed. They were expecting this. Now they’ve switched to begging mode. Syd gives Lucy this pitiful pleading look. “Guys, we’ve been best friends for years. Are you really going to let him kick me out?”

Fliss is already talking before anyone can respond. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here because Sydney is my sorority sister.” I’m confused, because Syd didn’t even go to college here last year. “We had an instant connection when we met at the country club this summer, and then I discovered she was in a different chapter of the same sorority as me in New York. When she transferred, I helped her get accepted with our chapter.” Fliss is getting choked up, for whatever reason, as she talks, but my code red alarm is