“You got any Tequila?”
“Mom?”
“Look in your father’s bar.” She looked at me and her eyes widened as she looked at Lexi, Anna and Luke. “Hi, I’m Bryce’s mom. I’m not sure we’ve met before.”
“Hi, I’m Lexi.” Lexi flushed and I knew she was embarrassed. “These are my best friends Luke and Anna.”
“Nice to meet you all.” My mom smiled a weaker smile this time and tapped her forehead. “Alright guys, I’m headed up to bed now.”
“You don’t have to go, mom.”
“I’m sure y’all will have a better time without me.” She quickly exited the kitchen and I frowned. Something in her mood had changed.
“Evans, turn the music up and let’s do some shots,” Ryan shouted and I hurried to my father’s study, with both Suzannah and Luke staring at me intensely.
I walked into my dad’s study and quickly looked through the bar to see what liquor he had. “The party looks like it is going well,” he said, smarmily, and I sighed as I looked up.
“It’s going fine.”
“Interesting choice of party guests.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“I didn’t realize you liked to mix with the other side of town.”
“The other side of town?” I frowned.
“The riff-raff.”
“I guess I got it from you then.” I stared into his eyes coldly.
“Then you’ll know they are good for a quick f**k and that’s it.”
“It’s never a quick f**k when I’m in the bed.” We stared at each other in silence, until I heard someone clearing their throat. I looked towards the door and saw Luke staring there and sighed inwardly. I wondered how much he had heard.
“Can I help you, Luke?”
“Lexi thought you might need some help, but it seems like you and your father are otherwise entertained.” He gave me a disgusted look and walked out of the door.
“Fuck,” I cursed under my breath. I could only hope that Luke wasn’t going to go straight to Lexi to tell her what he had heard. I knew that the words did nothing to help my cause. I could feel myself starting to panic. I needed to be alone for a bit. To think and to relax. I knew, from the war, that when I felt like this it was better for me to be alone. I quickly exited the room and ran upstairs to my room. I ran into my room and pulled out two pills and downed them quickly. I wasn’t supposed to mix them with alcohol, but I knew I wouldn’t be okay without them. I already felt like I was falling out of control. I splashed some water on my face and lay down on my bed and counted to ten. I quickly checked my reflection in the mirror and then ran down the stairs again.
“Hey, Evans, where you been? Where’s the tequila?”
“Sorry. We didn’t have any. Just beer tonight, guys.” I smiled apologetically and looked to make eye contact with Lexi. She smiled at me sweetly and I felt my nerves stop. “Who’s ready to party?” I shouted, suddenly happy and I pulled Meg into my arms. “Let’s dance, folks.” We worked our way into the backyard, by the pool and blasted the music and danced.
“Hey, cutie.” I sidled up to Lexi as she walked into the kitchen to get a drink. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks.”
“I’m sorry our first date is at a packed party,” I whispered in her ear.
“This is a date?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“I hope so,” I grinned and stroked her hair. “I really hope so.” I felt my heart pounding as I stared at her. My head felt like it was going to explode and I knew my body was reacting from the alcohol and the pills.
“Well, I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“Good.” I leaned over and stroked her collarbone. “I wish it were just you and me right now. I’d love to take you upstairs and have my wicked way with you.”
“Oh really?” She blushed.
“Yes. Do you know what I would do to you?”
“No.” Her words were a whisper and I traced my fingers across her luscious and full lips.
“Well, I’d better show you.” I leaned down and kissed her softly, melting into her embrace. Kissing her felt so good and all I wanted was to consume her. I needed her like I needed air to breathe. I brought her head in closer to mine and stuck my tongue in her mouth. She kissed me back, passionately and sweetly, and pushed her body into mine. I pushed her back against the cupboards and I could feel my body stirring with lust. I wanted her: here, now, immediately. I felt my hand run up the back of her dress and I could feel her heart pounding beneath me.
“Bryce, what’s going on?” Suzannah’s voice cried out behind me and I sighed as I turned around and saw her, Meg and Mary standing behind me. “That’s the girl you’re seeing?” She looked back and forth from me to Lexi and frowned, disbelieving. “You have got to be joking.”
“Suzannah.” My voice was harsh. “Shut up.”
“Don’t tell me to shut up.”
“I swear Suzannah.” My voice rose and I felt my face flushing with anger.
“You swear what?” She smiled an evil smile.
“Bryce.” Lexi touched my arm and looked at me with concern. “It’s okay.”
“Listen to your little pauper girlfriend, Bryce,” Suzannah laughed. “You can’t expect me to believe you’d rather be with her than with me.”
“Get the f**k out of my house.” I banged my hand down on the counter. My head was pounding and everyone was starting to look blurred.
“You’re only dating her because you feel guilty that your best friend tried to rape her and then killed himself.” Suzannah’s voice rang out loud and clear and the room was silent.
I turned to look at Lexi and her face was white with shock and embarrassment. I touched her shoulder and she recoiled from me with a hurt look in her eyes. “I didn’t tell her, Lexi,” I pleaded with her. I couldn’t have her thinking I told anyone. “It was Eddie.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered, with unshed tears in her eyes. “I should go.”
“No.” I pleaded with my eyes. “I was hoping you would stay tonight.”
“No. I should go.” She looked faint and my surroundings started to sway.
“Lexi, please.”
“I’m sorry.”