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Seventeen
Cash
“You do knowshe might not be here?” I ask as we get out of the limo Reed rented—he insisted we had to arrive at the party in style because it was such a big night. I still think he’s just aiming for an Evermore bag. The man doesn’t give up.
“She’ll be here. I feel it in my bones. Plus, I didn’t put on this Evermore tie for nothing,” Reed replies, leading us all into the Marooned Pirate like a sad posse.
“Please, can we all just act natural? I don’t want her feeling like we’re preying on her,” I say, a little nervous now that bringing the crew was a terrible idea. In truth, though, I didn’t bring them—they drug me here, insisting it’ll all be good.
“When do we ever not act natural?” Levi asks, messing up my hair.
“Is that a serious question?” I ask, smirking. I do love their enthusiasm, and, in reality, I know that this is just an excuse for them all to come out and party hard.
Still, I can’t help but feel like a nerdy, awkward boy walking into senior prom alone. This girl’s got me off my game. I keep thinking about what could go wrong or about how I’m going to make this work. What if she’s adamant about not giving this a chance? What if she’s not here, or what if she is—with someone else? And why do I care so much? Jesus, I either need to make it work with Sage, or I seriously need to get laid. This adrenaline is too much.
We saunter up to the bar, the seven of us taking up an entire side. Lysander starts ordering drinks, knowing our usuals, as I scan the bar. It’s packed in here, with two-dollar margaritas and a hot local band flooding the place with more than just the regulars. However, as I scan the dance floor, my heart stops.
In a tiny black dress barely long enough to cover anything, she’s dancing in the middle of the floor. But she is, of course, not alone. A tall, lanky guy in a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up is all over her, preying on her. He’s basically laying claim to her, which is discernible from even back here.
“Shit,” I mutter, and Jodie leans over my shoulder to see what I’m saying.
“You knew this might happen, right? So don’t sweat it. You also know she’s not serious about him, right? He’s a rebound. She’s just telling herself her old ways are still okay. It’s fine, Cash. Go tell her how you feel.”
“I already have. Jodie, this is ridiculous. She’s made it clear what she’s all about. I need to let it go.”
“And you’ve also made it clear you can’t do that. And from what you’ve told me, she can’t either. Now come on. Buck up, bronco. Get your A-game on and get the hell out there. Go show her what she’s missing.”
Reed slaps a shot in my hand, and the crew cheers me on. I down the shot. Lysander hands me another, as does Levi. Three shots down, a slap on the back from my brother, and I know what I have to do.
