I don’t want to know what they’re talking about, so I pull out my phone and ignore the rest of their conversation.
“Blue,” Benson says. “How does that sound?”
“What?”
“We’ll invite some of the guys. Lucy can bring her friends. It won’t be a party, but…” He shrugs.
“Yeah. Sounds good.”
He pats my shoulder. “Go buy the booze.”
I text Melly.
Me:We’re doing something at the house.
Melly:Lucy just texted the group about it.
Me:Are you coming?
Melly:Should I not?
Me:What?
Melly:Idk.
I stare at the phone for a second. I can’t tell if she’s messing with me.
Me:Do you have other plans?
The three dots appear and then disappear. I look up, and Lucy quickly looks away, pretending like she was doing something else. I look back at my phone. Melly didn’t text back yet, and it doesn’t look like she’s going to.
Me:I was going to ask if you want me to pick up.
Melly:I can catch a ride.
I sigh, scratching my face. I was holding my breath the whole time. For a minute, I thought I blew it.
Me:I want to see you.
Silence.
I rub my chin, leaning forward. I hold my phone in front of me and wait for the dots.
Nothing.
Me: I’m not drinking tonight. I want to be sober. With you.
The dots appear for a count of eight.
Melly:Okay. I won’t drink either.
That’s all I needed. I put my phone face down and look up at Benson and Lucy. They’re kissing. Christ. I grab my phone, pocket it, and tell them that I’m going out to get the beer.
The store run is quick. The group chat was blowing up with all the dumb shit Stanley wanted me to buy. Benson threw a few things in there, too. I got a lot more than just alcohol.
The guys are playing video games when I get back. Stanley throws a controller at me the second I’m done putting the groceries away. I sit on the couch and jump into the game.
After an hour, Benson tries to pass me a beer. I push it out of my face. “Nah, man. I’m not drinking tonight.”
