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Chapter Twenty-two
The southern Georgiaheat is out in full force. It’s the last weekend in April and yet somehow feels like it’s mid-August.
Since I couldn’t talk Emma into coming with us, Starr brought her friend Chelsea. I had other friends I could have invited but none that I’m particularly close to and none that I felt like entertaining.
With Sandy, Starr, and Chelsea, they’re all friends so I can slip off whenever and it won’t matter one bit.
Pulling my phone out of the back pocket of my jean shorts, I check it for the hundredth time in the last hour. Hudson hasn’t arrived yet. Last time we talked he was supposed to be here by two and it’s now just after three.
The festival is already in full swing and even though it’s still pretty early in the afternoon, Sandy somehow managed to convince me to do a shot bar with her. I’ve never done a shot bar, but I quickly figure out what it is as the man behind the table sets out two long trays, each with four slots, a shot glass in each opening. He fills each with a different flavor of moonshine before setting the trays in front of us.
“I’m pretty sure four shots of moonshine will do me in.” I look at my cousin, having second thoughts.
Of course I want to partake. Who comes to a moonshine themed music festival and doesn’t drink moonshine? But then again I don’t want to be sloshed my first time seeing Hudson in weeks.
“Four shots.” Sandy swipes her hand through the air. “You got this. I’ve seen you drink a hell of a lot more than this and still walk a straight line.”
“Fine, but you’re the one holding my hair back when I’m puking later,” I tell her, even though I’m not planning on drinking enough to end up sick.
“Deal.” She smiles, picking up the first shot of moonshine labeledApple Pie.
Grabbing the same shot off my tray, I hold up my glass, clinking it with hers before pouring the liquid down my throat. It burns like fire going down but the after taste isn’t as bad as I expected it to be. The heat settling in my stomach seconds later.
“Not too bad.” Sandy licks her lips and reaches for the second shot. “White lightning,” she reads the label out loud. “Sounds a little scary.” She laughs. “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I reach for the second shot, once again clinking it against hers before throwing it back. This one is a million times worse. It tastes like rubbing alcohol and feels like acid eating at my throat as it goes down. The look on Sandy’s face tells me she feels the same way.
“Okay, let’s never do that one again,” I say, shaking my head as I drop the empty shot glass back on the tray.
“Agreed.” Sandy wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Now I need to drink another just to get rid of that taste.”
We finish off the other two shots in quick succession. First Cherry then Caramel, which are both surprisingly quite tasty.
I’m still holding the last empty shot glass when the alcohol buzz hits me hard. I sway slightly, the heat rushing through my veins. I smile at my cousin and she smiles back, clearly feeling the effects of the moonshine as well.
“No more,” I tell her, linking my arm through hers as I set the glass back into the tray.
“No more for right now,” she corrects me.
“I can’t be drunk. I need real time with Hudson,” I whine dramatically.
“Are you drunk now?”
“No, but I have one hell of a buzz.” I give her a smile as we make our way through the crowd back toward the main stage.
“Me too.” Sandy giggles and I immediately follow.
I’m already embarrassed by both of us and the festival has barely even begun.
“So when are you meeting Hudson?” she asks, side stepping around a large group of people huddled together.
“No idea. He was supposed to be here over an hour ago.”
“Probably got stuck in traffic. This festival has really jammed stuff up. I’m so glad we were able to get a hotel within walking distance.”
“Me too,” I agree, knowing luck was definitely on our side.
Since this was kind of a last minute trip I wasn’t sure we’d be able to get a room at all. Every hotel for miles had zero vacancies so I called every day checking for cancellations and finally landed a room for the weekend at the hotel closest to the venue. A fifteen minute walk and we’re there which makes for a very easy commute over the three day weekend.
