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It’s cute, and I’m slightly jealous.
Everyone continues to engage in conversation while I’m nursing my own beer, eyes feverishly searching for any sign of Ridge or Maddox. I can only ascertain they left the party. Ridge left me hanging with that last message:Because he’s not the one for you. I am.And Maddox just up and disappeared. I blame myself for brushing him off during our last encounter. I was so eager to find Ridge. I wouldn’t blame Maddox if he felt rejected. Though that wasn’t my intention at all.
I never fail to complicate things for myself.
Scar plops down on the log beside me in front of the fire. Her arm swings around my shoulder and she pulls me close. “Having fun, babe?”
“Ah. You’ve escaped the clutches of Neo Saint. Lucky you.”
Neo and I have a love/hate relationship. He gives me shit and I give it right back, in my own kind and respectful sort of way. Regardless, he’s good to Scar, and I love that for her.
“Quit it.” She giggles, bumping her hip to mine. “What’s wrong? You look down.”
I drop my cup to the ground then I take the open bottle of booze Scar hands me. “No. This is nice. Coming tonight was a great idea.” I down a good two shots’ worth of the liquor, hoping to make it an even better night.
“Easy, killer.” Scar snatches the bottle back and holds it up, studying it. “This is potent shit. Like, eighty proof or something like that.”
“Even better.” I waggle my brows, while attempting to grab the bottle, but she laughs and takes a drink for herself before handing it back to me.
“This is better than justnice, right? No stress over school. No idiot guys around. Just us. Having a good ole time.”
I point to my mouth that’s rimmed with the bottle. I tip it back and the liquid slides down, warming my stomach. My mouth draws back after that drink, cringing at the grotesque taste. “That is definitely potent. And you’re right. This is fun. It’s not raging party fun, but it’s relaxed, and I’m having a decent time.”
Those words were nothing but truth. I’m actually enjoying the ease of the night, even if my head is swimming with thoughts of Ridge and Maddox, and even Lev. The party has dwindled down, and while there are some plastered idiots raising hell in the distance, those of us circling the fire are enjoying the night.
Scar and I pass the bottle back and forth a few more times, reminiscing about where we were this time last year. So yeah. This night isn’t half bad compared to the fucked-up fiasco we were involved in during our time at Boulder Cove Academy.
“I gotta pee,” Scar announces as she gets to her feet. Or attempts to, at least. We both bust out in laughter when she stumbles onto my lap, taking us both to the ground.
My arms wrap around her, holding her like she’s a warm blanket while giggles escape us both. “Don’t take her from me,” I sing, while Crew lifts her up.
I hold her tighter, feeling like I’m going to piss my pants from how hard we’re both laughing.
“All right. I think it’s time to get you two tucked in for the night.”
“Whaaaa,” Scar cries. “I wanna stay here until the fire burns out and the sun comes up.”
She rolls off me and I lie there, flat in the ash-covered dirt, with my arms spread out. “Let’s make ash angels.”
Scar plops down beside me. “I wanna make an ash angel.”
“Oh no, you don’t.” Neo tucks his arms under her pits and lifts her up, putting a damper on our fun. “I’ll bring Scar back to our place,” he tells Crew and Jagger. “One of you take that one back to her dorm.”
“That one?” I scoff. “Is that who I am?That one?”
Scar blows me a kiss as she’s being hauled away. “You're much more than that, babe. I’ll come home in the morning. You okay without me tonight?”
“I survive every other night you stay with the guys. I’ll survive tonight, too.” I blow her a kiss back. “Love you.”
Next thing I know, Crew is lifting me to my feet. “Such a gentleman, you are.” I look up at him, smiling. “Like a big brother who’s screwing my best friend.” My body sways back and forth, and no matter how hard I try to steady myself, I fail.
“And you’re not gonna make this easy on me, are ya?”
“I’m difficult. A downright pain in the ass.”
“That you are, Ry.”
I’m not sure how or when we make it back to my dorm, but it feels like I blinked and I’m in my bed. I must’ve passed out somewhere between the party and here.
