***
Several hours later, Anderson and I are pulling up to Kalen’s place. He lives in Mount Vernon, which is about twenty minutes from where Anderson lives. He drove since he hardly ever drinks. Aston rode with Knox separately. Getting out of the car, I pull my phone out of my pocket to thumb off a text to Kalen—to be safe.
Me: Aye, bro. I’m here, but came with Anderson. Don’t say anything about the pills.
His response is instant. For a drug dealer, his response time is actually pretty spectacular.
Kalen: Not gonna say shit, dude. Relax.
Me: Thanks. ;)
Not that I thought he would out me like that—he knows the situation—but you can never be too careful. Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I round the front of the car where Anderson is waiting for me.
“All good?” he asks.
“Yup, let’s have some fucking fun.”
Parties at Kalen’s are always a different type of vibe. For the most part, he hangs out with a distinctively different crowd than the rest of us—which comes with the territory, I guess. Younger and older people alike all come here, so you never know who you’re going to find.
We walk through the front door and are immediately met with chaos. The foyer offers a straight line of sight into the kitchen where girls are dancing topless on the counters.All American Nightmareby Hinder is bumping through the speakers strategically placed throughout the main level.
Making our way through the house, we see a poker table set up in the dining room. A timid-looking kid who can’t be older than eighteen is playing what looks to be a heated game with four beefy guys.That’s going to end well.My gaze slides to Anderson—his deep, forest green eyes going from the poker table to me, the left side of his lip lifting in a subtle curl of a smile.
“Wanna get a drink?” he asks, voice raised to be heard over the music.
“Fuck yeah. You drinking tonight too?”
“I’ll have a beer or two. Nothing crazy.”
“Sup, fuckers!” Our heads snap forward at the sound of Kalen’s voice. He’s in the kitchen, surrounded by four chicks who look three sheets to the wind. Their eyes are glassy and bloodshot, cheeks are stained pink, and the one on his left arm is swaying like a leaf in the damn breeze. Leave it to Kal.
“Sup, man,” I say with a smile, heading to the fridge and grabbing two Bud Light bottles.
Opening both, I hand one to Anderson. “Cheers.” Clanking our bottles together, I take a long swig, watching Anderson do the same. His protruding Adam’s apple slides up and down as he swallows, my eyes tracking the movement.
Looking over to Kalen again, we wave our goodbyes as we leave the kitchen.Without Youby Breaking Benjamin is thrumming through the speakers now, bodies littering every corner of the house. Making our way through the large, open living room, we spot our friends outside.
“Hey, hey, assholes,” I say through a smile as we reach them. “It’s fucking good to see you guys!” Everyone smiles and offers their own versions of ‘hello’ when they see us.
Branson and Luca are cuddled up on a lawn chair by the fire. Aston and Knox are smoking and in their own little world. And Weston and his girlfriend, Jessica, make easy conversation with Anderson and me.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Downing the rest of my beer, I pull it out, seeing a new text.
Kalen: Bathroom, five minutes?
Kalen: Got xannies.
Me: Yup.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I pretend to listen to the conversation between Anderson and Weston about some new metal band they’re into. It’s futile, though. My mind’s already checked out. My mouth salivates as my skin tingles in anticipation.
Told myself I wouldn’t do any of this shit tonight with everyone here, but they’re all occupied. No one will bat an eye when I take a bathroom break… that’s a normal thing to do. Everyone’s gotta piss.
“Aye, I’ll be right back. Bathroom break.”
Turning on my heel, I stroll back inside the packed house. It’s fucking wild in here. There’s a girl getting finger banged on the couch by a guy who looks old enough to be her dad, a loud game of beer pong happening in the dining room, and the scent of sweet marijuana coats the air.
While we party at my house a lot, Kalen’s parties are always wilder. Fucker has no chill, no qualms about anything. Basically, anything goes.