TWENTY-FIVE
My hand taps on the door with a heavy sigh following.
It opens wide, and Beau stands in front of me with a surprised expression. Unlike earlier, he’s changed into a different pair of jeans and a nicer shirt, paired with the same white Air Force 1’s I own.
“Alexa? What’s wrong?”
He ushers me in, but luckily, there’s no other girl inside this time.
“I don’t know why I came here,” I say faintly. “I’m sorry about earlier, Beau. I was a bitch.”
“So, you need a drinking buddy?” He rubs his chin and then grabs his phone off the desk. “I know just the place.”
“You know neither one of us are legal?”
“It’s not about what you know. It’s who you know.”
Beau has a friend who happens to be throwing some wicked rooftop party tonight. It is only a few blocks over, making it easy to walk. I know I’m in the right place when I see the keg. I’m not a fan of beer, but there is tequila, and that will work just as well.
“We’re doing shots,” I tell Beau.
“Really? Because one of us should probably be responsible,” he teases, even though he’s pouring already. “I guess you deserve a college experience.”
I burst out laughing as Beau motions for me to lick my wrist so he can pour salt. The lemon wedges are sitting in front of us in a bowl, next to bowls of chips and pretzels.
“Okay. Three, two, one …” I lick my wrist, throw back the shot and suck on the lemon.
Fuck.
“Damn,” Beau lets out a rasp. “The first one hurts the most.”
My face is all scrunched up until I open my mouth wide to stop my insides from burning. When it begins to settle, I start to feel more relaxed.
“College life, huh? Daddy would be so proud if I did this instead of studying.”
Beau chuckles. “My dad still does this instead of working. He called me drunk yesterday from some work function. I swear I heard stripper music in the background.”
“Oh, your mom would have loved that.” I chuckle, knowing all too well Rocky and Nikki are so nasty when they fight. “I can imagine the fight now ….”
Beau shakes his head with confusion. “I still have no idea how my parents are still married.”
I place my hand on his chest. “They’ve always loved each other. And you know what? They’re so perfect for each other, the right balance of obnoxious versus … I don’t know how to describe your mom.”
“Psychotic?”
“Stop.” I laugh, pouring us another drink. “Nikki is a badass.”
We do another round, then three more. There’s music playing, so we get up and dance with some group. I have no idea who any of these people are, but damn I feel free. As I sway my arms in the air, breathing it all in, Beau grabs my waist.
“Are you okay?”
I squeeze his cheek to annoy him. “Better than okay.”
“That’s the tequila talking.”
“And? I like the tequila talking.”
“Okay, they’re gonna shut down this party soon, so I should probably get you back to your hotel.”