I peeked over at her. “Two other girls I had lunch with.”
Allison smiled. “Hey! See? You’re making friends already. Where are they? I’d love to meet them.”
“Kristie! Kayla! Over here!”
Meredith’s voice boomed across the kitchen and the two blondes bounded out from the corner. We all hugged and I introduced Allison to the group. And before I knew it, we were diving into conversations about the party and the guys and how good the drinks were. Allison was like a unicorn, the only person at the party not drinking. And while the girls were pretty drunk, it helped me to forget about lunch. About what we all talked about.
Until I found Clint staring at me from the beer pong table.
20
Clinton
“Yeah! Another one!”
I clapped my hand against Mike’s as the guys on the other end of the table had to chug. Again. While I enjoyed a rousing night of getting drunk, it didn’t appeal to me right now. It was clear I’d have to keep my eye on Rae. Which I did. From my perch at the game. Allison kept pulling people over to introduce to Rae. Boys and girls alike. And while I didn’t like the way some of the guys lingered around them, they eventually dissipated.
Eventually the dynamic duo were surrounded by three drunk, stumbling idiots.
I nudged Mike. “Any idea who they are?”
“Yeah! Got one! Wait, what?”
I nodded. “Over there with Rae and Ally. Who are they?”
Michael shrugged. “Who cares? They’re having a good time and--yeah!--so are we. You gonna pay attention or what?”
“Chug! Chug! Chug!” the guys at the other side of the table chanted as their drunken horse of a buddy slammed back yet another beer. He stumbled into the table, almost knocking it over as Mike and I caught it. How in the world had I co
nsidered this fun? Everyone was acting like a bunch of children. I sighed as I helped get the table set back up. Readying myself for a rematch.
But, when I looked over at the little girl’s huddle, I noticed they were gone.
“Hey. Hey, Mike.”
“What?”
“Where did the girls go?”
I looked over at him and saw him rubber-necking around the room.
“I don’t know. Did you see where they went?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m gonna go find them.”
I left the beer pong table and went on the hunt. Rae didn’t need to be walking around here with Ally without someone at their side. She’d had way too much to drink already, and Allison didn’t know how to navigate parties like this. Mike followed hot on my heels as we pushed our way through the crowded house. The smell of pot slowly began wafting through the air.
We need to get out of here.
The last thing Rae needed was to be caught at a party where there was both underaged drinking and marijuana. Yes, I get it. This was California. But she’d ruin her chances at this school if she was caught in a place like this. Especially by the police.
No. I had to look out for my girl.
“Let’s try the back porch,” Mike said.
I nodded. “Good plan. They aren’t out here anywhere.”
We walked around the house and found a wooden gate hanging open. I heard the splashing of water and an in-ground pool quickly came into view. Girls giggled and boys stood around them, ogling their bodies clad in bikinis. Red cups had been discarded in corners. I saw two wallets and a damn cell phone just sitting in the grass. I shook my head. How the hell had I done this with my life? And in high school, no less.