Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 28

Harper 

Tiffany got right near that DJ booth, picked up the mic and the DJ cut the music. 

“Is everyone having a good time?” Her voice was loud but sweet. 

The place erupted in cheers and applause. 

“I’m glad you are and it’s about to get even better. We’re gonna play a guessing game.” 

Everyone began to boo and she chuckled. 

“Relax, it’s going to be quite juicy. Just stay with me here. First up, Rob and James!.” 

She pointed at the two of them together in the crowd and they started awkwardly looking around. 

“Yeah, you two right there. James in the brown coat and Rob in the neon green shirt. Give it up for the two of them!” 

Slowly, everyone began to clap, wanting to see where this was going. 

The two guys grinned like idiots, probably because she gave them attention. 

“This game is about to be real juicy and I know what some of you must be thinking. What about Maddox? He’s probably caught up somewhere else. Should we wait for him?” 

“No!” the crowd said in unison. 

“Alright, then,” she said, then dragged out the pause before continuing, “which of these two guys is most likely to leave scratches down a girl’s back?” 

There was an instant chorus of oohs and whistles, James smirking confidently while Rob raised his eyebrows in mocking innocence. People started calling out their guesses and she let it go on for a few seconds before she spoke again. 

“If you said Rob, you’re absolutely right!” 

The place erupted in laughter. 

The crowd now seemed even more interested in the game. 

She went to ask a few more questions to some more guys, like who was likely to wake up in the wrong bed after a wild night and who was likely to text someone in the morning just to say that they left their bra. 

“Alright, boys now that you’ve had your fun, let’s see how the girls handle it. Up first, Harper and Kate!” 

My jaw clenched at how she was quick to single me out.

Zoey and Ella shook their heads at me and came real close, telling me not to play, but Tiffany was the one with the mic and quickly began to speak. 

“Just so we’re clear. Kate is the girl in the black dress and the girl in the cheap version of the designer dress I’m wearing is Harper. You obviously know that.” 

I stood out a lot when those who were close enough looked at me while laughing in agreement with her. 

She didn’t even ask the question yet and my heart was already pounding. I wanted to go up there and stop her. I even hoped Grayson would do something. 

“Now, which one of these two girls did my bro…” 

She trailed off when her mic was suddenly cut off, making her look over at the DJ. He just shrugged like he was trying to fix the problem. She was so frustrated that she almost slammed the mic against the floor, but had to keep it cool for all the guests. 

Then, people began to cheer while looking in a certain direction. I looked over and Maddox was making his way to her. As soon as he was close enough, he yanked the mic from her, bringing it to his lips so he could speak. 

“Enough of this stupid game.” He chuckled, the mic now loud and clear again. “This is my fucking birthday party, so let’s have a good time! Music!” 

The whole crowd cheered as the DJ turned up the volume. 

She shot him glares, like he had just gotten in the way of her biggest announcement yet. 

As he dragged her up the stairs and they turned at the corner, Zoey and Ella sighed with relief. 

“Whatever that was, I’m glad it didn’t happen!” Ella said. 

“My girl can’t catch a break.” Zoey gently placed a hand on my shoulder. 

My heart was beating in the same rhythm as the beat pumping through the speakers. I had never been so relieved about anything but at the same time, my blood boiled as I looked over at Grayson. 

I just needed some fresh air outside and I asked my girls not to follow me. It was hard for them to do, but they respected my decision. 

When I came outside, I moved further away from all the music and voices until I got to the lawn and could only hear a muffled EDM beat and crickets somewhere around me. My surroundings were filled with warm night lights hanging from the trees so I’d watch my step along the pavers in the middle. 

I stopped in my tracks right when I got to a large tree, placing my back against it and closing my eyes. 

“What do you want?” I didn’t even hide the irritation in my voice as I looked away and moved a few steps 

“I heard about the comments she made when she showed up in the same dress as you and I’m-” 

“If you’re going to apologize on her behalf, don’t. I’m tired of it and we talked about this.” 

I closed my eyes, thinking back to a few seconds earlier when he looked at me the way every other guy did that night. 

“Hello?” Ella nudged the side of my arm. 

I snapped out of it, telling both of them what had happened with Grayson before they showed up. 

They shared a knowing look, faced me again, then burst into laughter. 

“What?” I frowned. 

“Nope!” Ella waved her finger in my face. 

“Seriously, this isn’t good for you.” Zoey said with a look of disapproval. “But let’s be real here, have 

you taken a good look at how many guys have been checking you out since we arrived? You’re flaming hot tonight! Some even looked like they’d break their necks when looking back at these damn curves!” 

“While that is true,” Ella began, “Grayson only has eyes for his wife. That’s why he chose her. Whatever it was you thought you saw and felt before we got here, don’t let it make you think he wants you or something.” 

Zoey gasped. “Isn’t that a little too harsh?” 

“Ella’s right.” I sighed. “I needed to hear that. I’m glad you’re here with me.” 

I grinned, opening my arms wide for both of them. The group hug was nice and warm and should have lasted longer, but Zoey’s statement put an end to that moment. 

“How did the volume on that mic cut when it did? And why did it work just fine when Maddox showed up? Whatever the case, I’m glad that happened. Who knew what Tiffany was going to say up there?” 

“I only have a few guesses, but we’ll never find out since he stopped her before she could do it. For someone who barely paid attention to me, he definitely came to the rescue when it mattered the most.” 

“This is the part where you find him, get some answers and kiss him!” 

I shook my head at Zoey. “No way.” 

“Harper’s right,” Ella chimed in. “If they’re going to talk, he’ll have to be the one to initiate it.” 

“Don’t forget that…” I trailed off when my phone began to ring from my purse and as soon as I took it out, my heart skipped a beat at the caller ID. It was Maddox and I chuckled lightly. “Looks like someone wants to talk.”