“Exactly. Maybe if we ever hang again, we’ll do it while living our realest life.”
“I love that.”
She lifts to sit on her knees, facing my direction. “You know, this is probably the most truthful I’ve ever been with any guy in my entire life.”
“I can honestly say the same. And I’m flattered it was me.”
“Why do we do that with the people we’re with, hide what we’re really thinking?”
“Maybe because it’s safer than being alone.”
“You know what, stranger?” she drawls out. “I think at this point I’d rather be honest and alone.”
“Welcome to my level. It sucks here.”
We’re both smiling. I can tell.
“Okay, I’ll go first.”
“You aren’t driving, right?” I ask, concerned.
“Nope. Bottle is all yours. Be careful.”
“You too.”
I feel her pause. “This was actually kind of fun.”
“It was.”
“Houseman, where the hell are you, man?” Troy calls from the porch.
“Shit,” I mumble. “I have his keys. I was supposed to be DD.”
“Better get an Uber,” she warns.
“We will.”
“So, you’re Houseman, huh?” I can hear the smile in her voice. “Fair is fair, I’m Laney.” Her hand finds mine on the grass between us, and she squeezes it briefly. I move to grasp her somehow and end up clutching her fingertips. She laughs. “See, awkward. Well, Houseman, I’m so glad I met you.”
I grin and rest my forearms on my knees. “Same here.”
“Thanks for holding my hair.”
“Anytime.”
Troy manages to block her out as she retreats into the party. Dusting myself off, I join him on the porch.
“Where the hell have you been, man? We’ve been ready to go a hot minute.”
“I’m not driving,” I say, eagerly glancing over his shoulder. “Did you just see the girl who walked inside?”
“No,” he barks, uninterested. “Give me the keys, Kevin is good to drive.” I lo
ok past him to see Kevin on bended knee.
“He’s just been iced.” Troy turns his head and sees Kevin guzzling the bottle.
“Shit. Okay, I’ll order an Uber.”