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By ten o’clock theparty is in full swing. A large fire is burning in the middle of the back yard, several people circled around it talking and drinking. A few others are in the barn playing beer pong while the majority of those in attendance have gravitated toward the huge underground pool that sits directly behind the large farmhouse.
I have spent the last hour socializing, answering questions about my upcoming role–mainly because Chris decided to announce it to everyone here minutes after we arrived, and catching up with some old friends I haven’t seen in way too long.
I’m next to the fire, a cold beer in my hand, talking to Jeff, a guy I graduated with, when I catch sight of Thad next to the pool. At first I think I’m seeing things but upon closer inspection I see that not only is it him lounging in one of the chairs, but there’s also a raven haired floozy sitting in his lap.
Anger instantly floods through me and whatever Jeff is saying goes in one ear and out the other. I don’t process a word of it. It takes everything in me not to go over there and say something but out of fear of causing a scene, I plaster on the best smile I can muster and turn my attention back to Jeff.
For the next several minutes, I watch from a distance as the two flirt and laugh. The longer it goes on the bigger the ball in my stomach becomes. I’m pissed. I’m hurt. I’m jealous. But more than anything I’m confused.
Why would he so blatantly flaunt another girl in front of me after he was in my bed last night? Is he purposely trying to hurt me? It’s not like he doesn’t know I’m here. I’ve felt his eyes on me more than once since I spotted him across the yard. Whatever he’s doing, he’s either doing it to make a point or because he cares that little for me.
Deciding not to let him ruin my night, I join Jeff for a round of beer pong in the barn. Though we try, Jeff and I are horrible and end up losing and drinking a hell of a lot more than I intended to upon agreeing to play the game. But it’s proven to be a needed distraction, and while I find I still have a nagging feeling in my gut, I’m also not having the worst time in the world either.
When I finally exit the barn nearly an hour later, I’m rocking a pretty decent buzz but I’m not nearly as drunk as I was the night I puked at Thad’s feet. Just the thought of that night causes heat to flood my cheeks. I don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed than I was that next morning when I woke up and remembered what I’d done and how I’d behaved.
My eyes scan the yard in search of Thad but the seat he occupied earlier by the pool is now empty and I don’t see him huddled with the groups around the fire either.
“Hey, have you seen Thad?” I ask Brylan who passes me on his way into the barn.
Since our dinner a few weeks ago, Brylan and I have been friendly but he hasn’t tried pursuing me since. I think he knows the time of Brylan and Laken is well in the past.
“I think he left with Bianca.” He stops in front of me.
Bianca? God, even her name irritates me.
“As in left, left?” I question, trying to seem unphased by this news.
“I don’t think so. I saw them walk off toward the woods a few minutes ago. Why, what’s up?”
“Oh nothing. I was gonna see if he could give me a lift home,” I lie.
“I can take you if you need a ride,” Brylan instantly offers.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” I gesture to the drink in his hand. “I’ll just find Chris and see if he’s about ready.”
“Okay, I think he’s over there.” He points in the general vicinity of the fire.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“Hey, Lake.” Brylan stops me just as I start to move. “Congrats on the show by the way. In case I don’t see you before you leave I wanted to tell you that. I’m really excited for you.”
“Thanks, Brylan. That means a lot.” I smile, nodding once before taking off toward the fire.
I wait until Brylan disappears inside the barn before veering right toward the woods. I know I shouldn’t. I tell myself a hundred times to turn around and go back the entire way to the tree line but for whatever reason I can’t make my mind or my body listen to reason.
The trees are thick and even though the raging fire a few feet away offers some light, it’s not enough to see very far into the woods. I take the wide trail Johnson and his brothers use for four-wheelers, walking several feet inward before my steps come to an abrupt halt.
The first time I hear a girl laugh I assume it’s coming from the party. Then I hear it again, louder this time, and the sound is quickly followed by what sounds like feet shuffling through the brush.
I look toward the sound but can’t see anything, so against my better judgment I decide to investigate further.
I don’t get but a few feet when I hear the female voice again–the familiarity in her tone making me stop once more.
“Ben. You’re going to get us caught.” Beth giggles again followed by the deep voice of my younger brother.
“Relax, babe. No one can see us out here.”
Instant relief washes over me and I immediately start to back away, not interested in overhearing what the hell my brother is up to in the woods.
