“Hey,” I protested. “I like their cinnamon bites!”
She winked as she ducked back around the corner, wrapping up the order for our meal of the night. I sat down on the couch, watching my favorite Rocky movie make its entrance. But the second Mom came back into the room, a knock sounded at the door.
“Huh. Bit fast for a pizza guy, don’t you think?”
I shook my head, smiling. “I’ll get it. You sit down and watch this cinematic marvel.”
Mom groaned. “We’re watching The Notebook after this.”
“If I can stay awake through it, I’ll even promise to act like I’m paying attention.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha.”
I threw my head back with laughter as my mother’s voice. I hadn’t felt this carefree with her in a long time, and it felt wonderful. The last time we had a true girls’ night like this, I was just starting seventh grade. We’d watched Beauty and the Beast while wolfing down pasta from her favorite Italian place up the street, and ended up falling asleep together on the couch halfway through the second movie.
I couldn't wait to do the same thing tonight.
I reached for the doorknob as the rain finally slowed to a trickle. I smiled brightly as I greeted whoever the hell was at the door at six in the evening on a Thursday night. I expected it to be a few people. Allison, coming over to check on me. Clint, coming to grovel at my feet before I curb-stomped his face. Even Marina, coming to take another jab at me before she went and got off with her boyfriend.
But, I sure as hell didn’t expect to see Michael. Soaking wet. Dripping with venom from his lips and angry eyes that widened as I appeared at the doorway.
“You hooked up with Clinton Clarke? Are you fucking kidding me?”
And just like that, things were not-so-good again.
26
Clinton
“Shot! Shot! Shot! Shot!”
The crowd chanted as another double shot got shoved into my hand. Girls reached out for me as Roy slapped me on the back, cheering me on yet another time. I’d lost count of how many of these I’d had. I didn’t have a damn clue how full my stomach was of vodka. The only things I was aware of was the smell of Marina’s backyard pool and the chanting, laughter and clapping as I drank all these assholes under the damn table.
I had numbed myself so I wouldn’t feel the pain of losing Rae.
“Yeah, Clint! Get it!”
Everyone clapped as I threw back the clear liquid. I opened my throat, allowing it to slide directly into my stomach without so much as swallowing. Fucking hell, I’d gotten too good at that. And it felt marvelous. Kind of. In a way.
Why didn’t this feel as good as it used to?
“Care for another one, big boy?”
“Eat some peanuts first.”
“Want a sip of my margarita? Tequila always gets me ready for another round.”
“Woo! Clint! Come jump in the pool with me!”
I felt someone tugging at me and I ripped back. I leaned against the bar counter with a smirk on my face, gazing at the horde of people around me. Girls in their bikinis and their barely-there tits. Girls with slim hips and tiny waists and long legs ready to wrap themselves around me. Dyed blond hair flashed, as the alcohol-soaked girls that had come to have a good time and be admired preened and strutted.
And yet, my mind still drifted back to Rae.
It’s better this way.
“You can do one with me, right?” Roy asked.
I felt him shove another shot in my hand before he raised up his own. We clinked our shot glasses together before throwing them back, and I felt my world tilt in on itself. For a split second, I stood on the sky, looking down at the stars and the cloudy night before gazing up at the pool, the grass, the concrete and the people walking around.