“Yeah, you should see him naked. Oh My Fucking God,” I exclaim, and we giggle again.
Beth’s eyes veer his way and she turns back around, saying, “You two seem to have different interests.” Her sour expression doesn’t match the friendliness in her tone. It triggers something that I’d forgotten about Beth; she has always been catty when it comes to guys. I look down at my pink dress and heels, and wonder exactly what she’s thinking.
“What do you mean, Beth?” I ask, not willing to take a backseat to her passive-aggressive behavior this time.
“It’s just, Jessa, look at your tattoos and piercings. He’s like the All-American quarterback, and you’re more…the free-spirited art girl.” Did she really just use fucking stereotypes from high school? Maybe I should give her one of my own …the bitchy prima donna.
I glance over at my “football star” and he grins my way. Even from across the room, I feel his love for me. Deciding to be the bigger person, I turn around to Beth and say, “Well…it works for us.”
She seems taken aback by my response, instantly trying to backtrack and tell me that she didn’t mean it like “that”. I know exactly how she meant it, and part of me wonders if I always let her treat me like that.
“Well, it’s been nice catching up, but I think this art student needs to go and let her boyfriend score a touchdown.” I leave her on the couch, but not before hearing her huff out a heavy breath. It amazes me how a memory of someone can be so distorted.
I walk over to Grant and nuzzle up against him. He kisses the top of my head and Trey hands me a beer. For the first time all evening, I’m completely comfortable at this party. I realize that I don’t need the approval of anyone here, and who gives a shit if they saw the pictures? If they can’t figure out that what Jason did was wrong, then that’s their problem.
“Let’s get out of here. You guys want to go to a bar?” I ask my friends, and they all eagerly place their cups down, ready to leave. Sam tells her roommate she’s leaving and will be back later. Surprisingly, the roommate doesn’t seem to care that she’ll be left with the responsibility of hosting the party by herself. Then again, it might have something to do with the fact that she’s about to do a keg stand.
The cold air hits us and suddenly I’m giddy with excitement to show them my old stomping grounds. “Did you want to invite your friends?” Grant asks me, placing his hand in mine.
I stare back at the house for a moment, and then turn toward all of them. “I’m with my friends,” I tell him, and he squeezes my hand.
We make our way down two blocks to a bar I used to go to called Barnaby’s. It’s really more of a dance club than a bar. The girls get in for free and the guys have to pay a cover, which of course Dex argues about, but he reluctantly pays it. Pop music, which I don’t usually dance to, pounds through the speakers while half-naked college students dry hump each other on the dance floor. I pull Grant over to the bar and order two shots, but he shakes his head, pays the bartender, and hands Sam his shot.
Luckily, Dex intimidates a group of younger kids into giving up their tables. Due to the lack of seating, Sadie’s on Brady’s lap and Sam is on Dex’s. The drinks continue to flow as we order shot after shot. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, laughing and carrying on, and I am celebrating my newfound liberation.
“Dance with me,” I request to Grant, and he stands up happily. When we get to the dance floor, I start to notice the room swaying a little, but I’m having so much fun that the last thing I want to do is end the night. After we dance for two songs, I run over to the bar and get a tray of shots. Before I can turn around, Grant’s behind me.
“Jessa, you need to slow down,” he tells me. I frown at his comment and he continues, “It’s just, I don’t want you to be sick.”
“When have I not been able to handle my alcohol, baby?” I quirk my eyebrow in question. “Speaking of which, have I ever told you how much I love it when you call me names like baby, babe, beautiful…” I sway slightly before the bars edge catches me.
Grant holds the tray with the palm of his hand, while his other one grabs my elbow to hold me steady. “Well, I’ll call you all of them all night if you calm down on the drinking,” he propositions, but I take a shot glass and down it, slamming it on the bar.
“I’m having fun, Grant. Come on and join me,” I urge him. He remains still, staring at me and shaking his head in slight amusement or annoyance, I can’t really tell at this point.
Making our way over to the table, I bump into a few people and I hear Grant apologize to them. Once we get to where our friends are sitting, he places the tray down. Since no one grabs a glass, I reach for another one. Sighing, Grant demands, “Take a shot everyone,” and hands immediately start diving to the center of the table.
I hold up my glass and wait until everyone is ready. Then I toast, “I love each and every one of you. You guys are my best friends, well actually, Sadie’s my best friend and Sam’s my sister, but you boys are right up there. And Grant, my gorgeous boyfriend, I love you,” I slur. “Oh yeah, and Kailey, once you start fucking Trey, we’ll be the greatest of friends, too.”
I tip my head back and pour it down my throat. At that very moment, the drunkenness hits me. I sit with my head in my hand, leaning on the table. Water…I need water. I turn to my buddy, Brady. He always has water. Taking the bottle, I unscrew the top and it spins across the table before falling to the floor. I down the contents of the bottle and slam it on the table when I’m done. Suddenly, the room starts spinning and I can’t keep my eyes open. I eventually lose the battle to stay awake and I feel something hard against my forehead right before darkness fills my eyes.
Grant
Fuck. I knew it was going to happen, but when her head slams down on the table, I shake my head in disbelief. Trey breaks out in unabashed laughter. “Shit man, she was going strong for a while there,” he says. She was happy though, so I’m more than ecstatic to pick her up.
I stand up and look at the group that are all starting to get out of their chairs. “You guys don’t have to leave, but I’m gonna take her home,” I inform them. Only Dex and Sam sit back down, and everyone else decides they’re ready to leave. Pulling Jessa over my shoulder, I hold the bottom of her dress down tight with my arm, doing my damnedest to not reveal any part of her. Cocking an eyebrow at Dex, I ask, “Are you sure you want to stay?” He nods his head in response.
Although the other seats are now empty, Sam still remains in his lap and Dex’s hands rest on her thighs. “Yeah, I’m coming home tomorrow. I can just bring him back,” Sam mentions and Trey smirks.
Not caring what happens between them, I nod and say good-bye. It’s none of my business. Not to mention, they’re both good people, so whether they’re having fun or want something more, they deserve it. Trey clasps my shoulder once we get a few feet away from the table. “You do know Hulk packed an overnight bag?” he chuckles, grabbing Kailey’s hand.
We get outside where there’s still a line waiting to get in. Walking past everyone shivering and hugging themselves, I laugh at how many more guys are out here waiting than girls. I assume the girls already got in with no cover, while these schmucks stand out here in the cold to pay money to get in.
Kailey’s huddled under Trey’s arm for warmth and Sadie’s riding Brady’s back as we walk by the end of the line. A guy does a double take when he sees me and I wonder if I know him. Then I remember where I am and wonder how the hell would I know him if I don’t know anyone in Colorado? Continuing to walk away, I suddenly hear heavy footsteps behind me. I abruptly turn around and come face to face with the dark-haired guy. He stares intently at Jessa’s ass, so I swing to the side, obstructing his view.
“Can I help you with something?” I ask him and his eyes flicker to me.