"Everything okay?" Kyle asks as I walk over to him and Cassie in a rage. I wouldn't use the word 'okay' to describe how I'm feeling right now. More like, 'ready to punch Noah Collins in the face.'

"Just peachy," I lie with a fake smile, tilting my head at Cassie. "How's she doing?" I must admit, I'm happy to find that she isn't drinking. Instead, she's sitting down with a glass of water in her hand as Kyle stands there beside her like a freakin' bodyguard — in a loving way, though.

"She's fine. Nothing some carbs and coconut water won't fix in the morning," he tells me.

I chuckle and look around the room. "Have you seen Jacob anywhere?"

"Uh, the last time I saw him he was in the pool with some red-head who was practically straddling him."

"Fan-tastic," I reply with sarcasm.

"On another note, I think we better call it a night soon. We can take you guys home if you want."

"That would be great. Just give me a second to find my charming baby brother."

***

Forcing Jacob out of the pool wasn't easy, but he eventually gave in when the red-head he was making out with got uncomfortable by my presence.

"Why is it that when I'm trying to find you, you're either drinking or making out with some random girl?" I ask him as we make our way to the front of the house.

"I was just having fun, Fee. Something you should start practicing," he says as he slips on his Comme des Garçons t-shirt.

"I'm sorry," I sigh, rubbing my temples. "It's been a long night, and I just want to go home."

"Don't apologize. Just promise me that you'll start enjoying yourself. You know, it wouldn't kill you to let go a little."

I wish it were that easy. I wish my summer wasn't being ruined by some prick who finds pure amusement in annoying me.

It's weird, though; I keep convincing myself that I want Noah to stay away, but part of me likes it when he's around.

As Jacob and I make our way to Kyle's car, I notice a bunch of guys huddled around the property. I can't tell who they are until I hear Justin's voice. Which can only mean one thing.

This definitely involves Noah.

"That's enough, man," Justin yells as he holds Noah back from some preppy dude standing next to a girl wearing a tight minidress.

"Stay away from my girlfriend, you bastard," the Chuck Bass-wannabe shouts as the girl awkwardly stands there.

"Get over it, Marcus, it was one fucking time," Noah screams as he bobs his head over Justin's shoulders.

"I don't fucking give a shit. If it happens again, I'll knock your brains out."

"Like you could hurt a fucking fly," Noah laughs, which is all it takes for Marcus to charge at him.

Noah breaks away from Justin's hold and right-hooks Marcus' jaw, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Holy shit," Justin covers his mouth and chuckles.

"Baby, are you okay?" Marcus' girlfriend runs over to him and asks, but he's too busy wiping the blood from his nose to answer.

It takes me a minute to get into the car because I'm too busy looking at Noah, and he must get the notion that my eyes are on him because he glances my way. I want to say that I'm surprised by what I just saw, but the truth is, I'm not, which is why I keep my icy glare on him for just a few seconds longer before sliding in.

I've had enough for one night.