“You good?” Tyler asks, laughing a little as he takes a sip from his own cup.
My hands are on my knees as I hold up a finger in the air. “Yeah…just…give me a sec.”
The burn finally subsides, and I stand back up. “It’s just…been a while since I’ve had a drink…and that shit right there?Hasto have actual motor oil in it, ‘cause what the fuck!” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “I can normally handle my liquor, but damn. Y’all aren’t taking the black-out theme of this party lightly, huh?”
Everyone around laughs, and it feels genuine. Not like anyone is laughingatme… just…with me.
Lani introduces her brother to Simone and Tyler, and then, after Sandro talks to them for a moment, he walks over to me and claps his hand around my shoulder.
“Sorry if I made you uncomfortable asking about siblings.”
“It’s okay, really. You couldn’t have known.”
He nods his head towards where everyone is dancing. “Come on.”
“Huh?”
“Let me make it up to you with a dance,” he tells me, smiling.
Lani quickly butts in on the conversation. “Don’t go flirting with my friends, San. I want her tostaymy friend.”
The warmth in my chest at her words, at feeling liked. It makes me feel a little embarrassed, honestly. I feel dumb for getting excited that I have people around me who genuinely like me now.
Sandro waves his sister off. “I’m not flirting. I feel bad, and now I have to make it up to her, or I’ll go home and think about that moment for the rest of my life. So, I’m gonna make it up to her by taking her over there and getting her loosened up a little, while letting her be able to dance and not have any creeps on her. Win-win.”
Lani gives him a pointed look. “No funny business.”
He puts his hands up, one holding his drink, the other resting against my shoulder still. “No funny business.”
We head out into the crowd, and Sandro takes my hand, guiding me through the packed bodies that fill the space. He’s tall and broad, doesn’t really strike me as a career athlete, or like a jock, but he’s built like he probably plays some kind of sport or sports recreationally at least. He’s incredibly good-looking. His and Lani’s genes are actually insane, and his style is the perfect mix of a little rebellious and chill. He’s definitely the full package, and I bet he keeps a lot of girls’ attention around campus.
As we start dancing, I’m honestly relieved I don’t feel any pull or attraction to him in that way. Thank goodness. How awkward would it be to have a crush on your friend’s brother—so cliché.
Sandro just comes off as really sweet. I can tell he’s naturally a protective brother and friend. Someone you want around if shit ever goes down. He gives off this energy, like he could easily handle any situation that arises. It’s the confidence that spills off of him.
“Loosen up,” he tells me, trying to guide my movements while still being respectful with his hand placements.
I laugh, trying to step out of my awkward shell. “I’m trying!” I tell him, still laughing. “I’m sorry. I’m not cool like you.”
“If you’re friends with Lelani, trust me, you’re cool. You just have to get out of your head. Relax and enjoy your night. Pretend you’re the only one in the room.” He takes my hands and places them on top of his shoulders. “Let the music and liquid courage make everything else around fade. Even though you should feel comfortable and confident outside of these kinds of settings, too. There’s something about you, Lydia…something that easily draws people in.”
I shake my head, not believing that. “Trust me, that’snotthe case. I’ve never been that kind of girl…I’m not like Lani or Simone.”
He wraps a hand around me, and we sway together with the music. I’m almost sad there’s no spark between us, because any girl would melt on the spot from how effortlessly he makes you feel good about yourself.
“You are,” he tells me matter-of-factly. “You’re the only one who doesn’t see it.”
With that, he quickly parts from me, grabbing a couple more shots and then returning to the spot where we’re dancing. He hands me one, and for a moment, I just let his words sink in.
“Fuck it,” I say, holding up the little plastic shot cup.
“Fuck it,” he says, mirroring me with a smile.
We throw them back at the same time, and it still burns going down, but I don’t double over this time.
We stay there, dancing and laughing, before I feel another set of hands on me. I turn around to see Simone and Lani waving at me to come with them.
“I’m taking my friend back,” Lani tells her brother.
