“Right,” I state, hoping that he has left with his skank. I shake my head at my mean thought. I don’t know him or that girl. I shouldn’t be judgmental. We leave the bathroom and Killian and the girl are gone. Our pizza has been served, and I try to shake the feeling that someone is staring at me as I settle back into the booth next to Woodrow and grab a slice.
Killian returns once half the pizza is gone. He takes a slice and places it on a napkin. “You guys ready to go or what?”
“Yup.” Liam and Woodrow toss some money on the table, and I follow them out to Killian’s car feeling awkward.
“Shotgun,” Woodrow yells and hops in the front passenger seat. I slide into the back behind him and Liam and Hayley get in behind Killian. I sink back in the black leather bucket seat.
The scent of leather, cologne, and smoke fills the air as Killian lights up a cigarette. The cancer-causing stick dangles between his lips, and I feel his gaze on me through the rearview mirror as he backs out of the parking lot. The car rumbles and vibrates under my butt. Hayley and her boyfriend are sucking face, and I wish I would have walked back to the dorm instead of filing into this car. I adore my cousin, but I know I don’t fit in with this group of misfits. I fight the urge to cough as the smoke fills the car. The windows go down giving me a reprieve, and Killian guns it down the street. The streets pass by in a blur as loud music thumps in my ears. Some old song talking about making love plays through the sound system, and Liam mock sings to Hayley.
The car rolls to a stop outside of a large brick home. Woodrow is kind enough to push the seat up and hold his hand out to help me out of the car. “Thanks.” I drop his hand as soon as I climb out the back. I meet Hayley and Liam around the front of the car. Killian has already gone in ahead of us, and Woodrow stays close to me. He seems like a nice guy, but I hope he doesn’t think that we are here together.
“Having fun?” Hayley whispers in my ear.
“So far.” I offer her a weak smile and take in the scene as we stroll up on the porch. A guy is holding back some chick’s hair as she is puking over the porch railing. Classy. This is exactly the sort of stuff my mom warned me to stay away from. Inside the house it’s extremely loud. Music is playing and most of the furniture in the front room has been pushed out of the way to create a dance floor.
I follow Hayley and Liam to the kitchen where they grab some red solo cups. Hayley hands one off to me. “One drink won’t kill you.”
I nod and take a cautious sip of the fruity drink. “What is this? It’s not bad.”
“Hooch,” Liam informs me. “Let’s go out back.” He tugs on Hayley’s hand, and I grab onto one of her belt loops of her tight blue jeans terrified I will get lost in the crowd if I don’t keep hold of her. I sip on the drink as we move toward the back of the house. I see a group sitting on a couch passing around a joint. My mother would kill me if she knew I was here.
Out back isn’t as crowded. There’s a small group seated around a firepit on a patio off to the side of an in-ground pool that isn’t filled. It’s spray painted with graffiti and some dude is using it to skateboard in. We must have lost Woodrow somewhere along the way when we left the kitchen. I take an empty seat next to some guy who introduces himself as Ben. He’s cute in that jock way. He’s muscular and has short red cropped hair and his nose is sprinkled with freckles.
“You a freshman?”
“Yeah.” I take another sip of the hooch and my insides heat up. I lick my teeth and stare at the flames as they dance in the pit. Hayley and Liam are to the left of me. She’s seated in his lap, and he has a protective arm wrapped around her waist. They actually make a really good looking couple.
“Fresh meat.” Ben rubs his palms together and laughs. “Just kidding,” he says, bumping his shoulder into mine when he sees the ‘what the crap’ expression on my face.
“Sure.” I finish off my drink and sit the cup on the cement patio.
“There you are,” a female voice purrs at him. I look over and see the same chick Killian was making out with at the pizza place wrapping her arms around this Ben guy’s neck and kissing his jaw.
It’s none of my business I remind myself.
“Jackie, this is Hayley’s cousin, Liri I think.” He looks to me for confirmation.
I nod and hold my hand out to her as she straddles his lap.
“Don’t care.” She rolls her eyes and shoves her tongue down his throat. Her boobs are spilling out the top of her crop top.
Okay then.
The drink has worked its way through my system, and I don’t feel too hot.
I turn to Hayley and Liam. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“Probably better off using the one upstairs,” Liam tells me.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Hayley offers, but I can tell she doesn’t want to leave her boyfriend’s side. I’m sure I can find it on my own.
“No. I’ll find it. Catch up with you in a few.” I get up from the chair and nearly trip over this Jackie chick’s foot.
“Watch it!” She snaps at me, and some of the group laughs. I stumble forward toward the firepit and a rough set of hands grip my elbows. Chill bumps fan up and down my arms.
“Easy lightweight.” I shiver as the husky voice sounds at my ear.
I turn straight into Killian as he smirks at me with those dark eyes.