Lan presses his cheek to mine, and I can feel his stubble scratch my skin.
“I’ve missed you,” he mumbles into my ear.
“Yeah,” I respond, sighing softly. “You have no idea.”
As Landon pulls back, he’s smiling so widely I fear his lips might split.
“Julian?” a soft voice calls.
I turn, my eyes falling onto Cassie, who stands in the doorway of the house.
“Hey, I’ll be right in,” I yell back to her. Suddenly, I feel a bit awkward.
“Okay.” She smiles, batting her lashes before turning on her heel and heading back into the small crowd.
“Sheesh, Julie. Who wasthat?” Susie asks, coming to stand next to Landon.
I intentionally avoid his gaze, one that I can feel burning holes into the side of my face. “Cassie. She’s a local here.”
“A hot local. Do you already have dibs? I’m single right now, and definitely down to—”
“Leave her alone.” I laugh, shoving Susie’s shoulder as I turn and head back toward the house.
She follows me, pouting. “Damn, so you do have dibs. Fine, fine. Hands off, then.”
We slip into the small house, and it takes me no time at all to find where Cameron, Kimberly, and Cassie are standing.
Michael is too young to legally party, and Hailey has an early shift despite the holiday, so neither of them showed up tonight.
“Guys,” I shout over the music. We’re huddled in the small kitchen and mostly alone. “This is Susie and Landon, my best friends from California!”
“Nice to meet you!” Cameron extends his hand, introducing himself to both Susie and Landon.
Kimberly and Cassie follow suit, though Cassie mostly keeps her eyes on me the entire time.
“I’m the DD for the night,” Susie declares. “But Lan here is free to get fucked, so pass the booze and let’s party!”
Our small entourage cheers, and I sling an arm around Susie’s shoulder and pull her tightly into my side. She laughs, drinking in the affection.
Susie isn’t much of a drinker, but sheisa chaos junky, so I just know she’ll be instigating any second now.
A few minutes later, as Cameron pours himself and Landon a shot and everyone else begins to mingle, I stay with Susie and decline the drinks that are occasionally extended to me. I drove my dad’s truck.
“Are you two…” Cassie begins to ask, her eyes darting between me and the ginger still tucked under my arm.
Susie cackles loudly. “Fuck no! Not that Julie isn’t a catch; I’ve seen his dick. A-plus.”
“Susie!” I screech.
“But!” she continues. “I’m super lesbo, so his awesome dick just doesn’t cut it.”
Cassie grins widely, nodding at Susie. “Understandable. If you’re interested, Kimberly is gay. She’s single right now.”
All of our heads turn to where Kimberly now stands across the room, talking to the girl they were dancing with earlier, dressed in her typical Gothic fashion.
“That woman coulddefinitelystep on me,” Susie states. “Later, Julie. Let me know when Lan needs a ride to the hotel!”
She slides out from under my arm, quickly making her way over to where Kimberly stands. Well, I guess she won’t be causing much chaos after all.
