The Same Side (University Park #2) (11 page)

She rolled her eyes at me. “Don’t tell me you want to go just to get Raven’s attention.”

I had spent the last few days trying to convince myself to move on and that I’d have one less problem without him. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

I needed him.

I wanted him in my life.

Everything he told me was one-hundred percent true. I was better off with Collin. But he wasn’t the one for me. Raven was the one I wanted. And the one I couldn’t have.

“Come on, Laney. You said we needed to make the most of this year since we’re seniors.” I crossed my arms and pouted. “What happened to my roommate?”

She took another drink from my cup. “His name is Luke Thompson and I’m totally obsessed with him.”

“Okay, whatever.” I sighed. “But this one time, I need you. I can’t go to that party by myself and I don’t have anyone to go with me.”

“Call Shelby, I’m sure she’s going with Josh.”

I shook my head. “Bad idea. I don’t want Raven to know that I’m going.”

Delaney opened her dresser draw and rummaged through it, pulling out a thong and bra. “What’s your plan?”

“Plan?”

“Yeah, your trap to get him back?” She swung her panties around her finger. “Because you’re going to have to work it, girl.”

“I don’t know.” I pulled half my hair up and gave her a sexy pose. “Seduce him?”

Laughing, she shook her head. “You and every other girl will be doing the same thing. Trust me, I’ve seen it.”

“Okay, then tell me what I need to do.”

With her head hanging down, she shuffled to the bathroom. “But I don’t want to go.”

“Laney, please,” I begged.

It took several more tries to finally convince her to go to the party with me. I was determined to do what I had set out to do. Enjoy my senior year, with or without Raven. My plan would be to show him that I wasn’t the sweet, innocent Lexi that he knew. I honestly had no idea if he would even be at this party, but I had to take the chance.

***

We arrived to the party around nine-thirty and my head felt light as every muscle relaxed. Delaney and I had already had a few Tropical Dreams and I was ready for a shot or two. I didn’t want to get stupid drunk like Delaney had the last time we went out, but I wanted the college experience that was promised to me when I entered my freshman year. I had been waiting four years to have a good time.

I nearly tripped as I walked up the stairs but managed to catch myself before face planting.

“Damn, are you already drunk?” Delaney grabbed my elbow and helped me steady my balance.

“No, it’s these stupid heels you told me to wear.”

“Shit. I guess I should have given you lessons first.”

I pulled down my skirt and focused on placing one foot in front of the other. We walked up the steps and entered into the loudest and wildest party I’d ever seen. The house reeked of beer, liquor, and cigarettes. Several people stood in a circle with their mouths wrapped around a tube attached to a huge funnel, fed by a guy that was pouring pitcher after picture of beer. They guzzled it down like they were dying from thirst. A girl motioned for us to join them in the race, but I shook my head no and urged Delaney forward.

In the living room, there was a DJ with his computer and disco ball that flashed a rainbow of colors around the room. The music was loud and people were pressed up against each other, grinding and humping. Two girls were sprawled on the couch, going at it like they were the only ones in the room. Sweat, funk, and body fluids floated in the air and it made me want to puke.

“Okay, this is pretty crazy.”

“Told ya.” Delaney rolled her eyes and I could see the regret laying within them.

We walked through the kitchen to the backyard where there was a huge kiddie pool filled with blue Jell-O. Two topless girls were smearing it all over each other like sun-tanning lotion. A group of guys cheered them on as one girl rubbed it all over the other girl’s nipple and sucked it off. As we walked past them, the girl licking and suckling winked at me and ran her tongue over her lips. I froze. What she trying to hit on me? Never had I seen anything like this. I was appalled, to say the least.

“Oh my God.” I pulled Delaney back and whispered in her ear. “Did you see what that chick just did to me?”

“No, what happened?”

“I think she likes me.”

Delaney burst out in laughter. “Everyone here will like you. Trust me.”

“Let’s go inside. I’m freezing.” I shuddered and wrapped my arms around myself. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into wearing this.” I straightened the off-the-shoulder purple dress I had on. Delaney wouldn’t let me wear the sweater I wanted to borrow from her. She said that I’d look like a prude in it. Noting all the girls dressed in micro mini skirts and dresses, she was right. They were dressed for a mid-summer party, minus the pool.

“Oh shit.” Delaney scurried behind me. “Hide me.”

“Why?”

“Matt is here. I don’t want him to see me.”

I put my hands on my hips in an attempt to block her behind me. She pushed me, moving us through the hordes of people. “If I fall, it’s totally you’re fault.” My ankles wobbled as I tried to balance myself on the three-inch platforms. I made a mental note to practice walking in heels more often.

“Stop griping. They make your legs look sexy.”

We stopped in the kitchen where a guy was pouring liquor into the mouths of all those that had lined up. Everyone was yelling and shouting that they wanted to be next. And so did I.

“Come on, I want what he’s giving out.” I pulled on Delaney’s arm, making her stand.

“Are you sure?”

I wiped the sweat from my palm and sucked in a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Are you sure you won’t be regretting it tomorrow?”

Winking, I eased behind a group of girls. “No regrets.” With an accidental bump, one of the girls turned around. “Oh, sorry.”

“Hey, you’re, um…”

“Lexi. And you’re Amber, right?”

“Yep.” She adjusted the tight bun on her head. “Hey, Delaney, didn’t see you.”

“Hey, Amber. Where’s Shelby.”

“Somebody say my name?” Shelby danced her way toward us.

“Hey, girl, let’s do a shot.” She flung her arms around me and breathed her tainted breath all over my face. “Whoa. Are you sure you need another one?”

She flashed a lopsided smile. “I’m just getting started.”

“Where’s Josh?” I looked around. If he was here, so was Raven.

“He’s over there somewhere.” She motioned with hand. “Where’s Raven?”

Delaney looked at me and then back at her. Maybe Raven wasn’t with Josh after all. “Um… I don’t know.”

She pouted. “Don’t tell me he already dumped you.”

Her comment hit me square in the chest and I tried to ignore the wrenching pain tugging at my heart. “Well, umm—”

“Who wants one?” A guy sat on the bar, yelling as he held a bottle in each hand. “Line up girls!” He motioned for Amber, Shelby, Delaney, and me to sit. I eagerly approached the square bar chair and sat, pressing my back against the edge.

Another guy handed me a lemon and then sprinkled a heap of salt between the webbing of my thumb and index finger.

“What’s this for?” I looked at Shelby and she smiled.

“First you lick the salt.” Shelby’s long, pink tongue scraped the salt off her hand and I copied her movements with my own.

“Heads back, girls,” the guy with the bottles instructed as he kept one thumb on the spout of the liquor bottles.

“Woo hoo!” Shelby yelled and wiggled in her chair.

“Let’s do this!” I screamed and relaxed my head against the cold marble. The guy moved down the line, pouring a shot full of liquor into each of our mouths. Cold liquid filled my mouth and I raised my head, swallowing it in one gulp. The feeling of fire shot down my esophagus and I yelled, “What the hell was that?”

“Lemon. Suck on your lemon.” Shelby shoved the slice of fruit in her mouth. I followed, sucking on the tart and sour lemon, trying to mask the horrible taste that filled my mouth.

“Otro! Otro!” a group of Hispanic guys started chanting and I shook my head.

“Hell no. If I take another one, I’ll probably vomit.” I turned away from the guy ready to fill my mouth again.

“Only one?” A cute guy with thick, brown hair that swept to the side stood in front of me. He studied me purposefully, allowing his eyes to travel from my head to my toes and I felt a slight tingle all over.

“Yes, just one.” I pulled on the hem of my dress, hoping I hadn’t flashed him.

“What’s your name?” He had a cute Texas twang and I couldn’t help but notice his tight shirt squeezing his biceps. Was he a football player? He seemed a little bit smaller than most of the guys on the team.

“Lexi.” I smiled and he smiled back. Maybe I needed to forget about guys that played sports. My stats weren’t looking too good in that area.

“Don’t tell me that was the first time you took a tequila shot.”

“That was tequila?” I looked over my shoulder, trying to catch a better glimpse of the liquor bottles in the guy’s hand.

“Damn, woman,” he laughed, lifting a huge glass mug to his lips. “Where did you say you were from?”

“I didn’t.” I hopped off the bar stool and started to walk around him.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” He held out his hand. “I’m Brian. Brian Levinson.”

“Nice to meet you, Brian.” I shook his hand and noted the way his fingers caressed my skin. They were callused along the palm but warm and gentle at the same time.

“I think you did the right thing.”

I eyed him for a moment, trying to place his sincerity or lack thereof. “I did?”

“Yeah, if you’re not used to taking tequila shots, then you don’t want to do one shot after another.”

Giggling, I tucked my hair behind my ear. The alcohol was keeping my blood nice and warm and I liked how it soothed my nerves. Maybe being single wasn’t so bad after all. The taste of freedom had me begging for more. “Why? You think I’ll get drunk and pass out?”

“Lexi, let’s go.” Delaney grabbed my hand and tried to pull me away.

“I’ll be over there in a minute.” I pulled back, making her release my hand. Brian was damn cute and had one heck of a body. But he was nothing compared to Raven. I sighed internally, wishing I could get him out of my mind. She eyed me for a moment and when I didn’t budge, she walked off with Shelby and Amber.

“That or it could make your clothes fall off.” He winked and took another swig of his beer.

“What?” I was a little surprised by his comment. Although I wasn’t that experienced when it came to guys, I knew he was flirting with me. Hard. And, I liked it.

“Haven’t you heard that song…
Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
?”

I shook my head. “Um, no.”

He shrugged. “It’s an old country song.”

“Oh.” I made a mental note to look it up. “I don’t listen to country that often.”

He took another sip and said, “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Umm…” I looked around for Delaney, wishing I had gone with her. Recalling what she had said about taking drinks from people I didn’t know, I knew I had to tell him no. I clasped my hands together as the jitters set in, looking for the nearest exit. The kitchen was jammed packed and I felt him closing in on my personal space. “Well, that’s okay. I—”

“Relax. I won’t slip you anything, if that’s what you’re thinkin’.”

Could I really trust a guy I didn’t even know? He seemed really nice and against my better judgment, I allowed my shoulders to relax. “Okay. I was drinking Malibu earlier.”

“I think I know where some is.” He grabbed my hand and I felt my body flinch. I almost pulled away but reminded myself that he was just being friendly. It wasn’t worth it to panic or get overly excited. He snaked through the crowd of people and led me further into the kitchen.

Opening a few cabinets, he rummaged through them. The sleeve of his shirt raised, revealing a blue shield with a cross in the middle, followed the Greek letters of Sigma and Chi underneath. His muscles flexed and the letters rose, causing my fingers to roll against my leg as if I were playing the piano. I was eager to strum them against his skin, tracing the outline of his tattoo. I shook my head, trying to control the alcohol that was fighting to take over. I had to calm down; otherwise, I could end up in deep shit by the end of the night.

“Do you live here?”

“Huh?” He turned around. “Sorry, can’t hear you over the music.”

“I said do you live here?”

“Found it.” He pulled out that white, familiar bottle. “Yeah, this is our frat house.”

“Oh, I see.” I watched as he opened a two-liter bottle of Coke and poured some in a red plastic cup. Then he added a capful of Malibu and topped it off with ice.

“See. No drugs.” He handed me the cup and I took it from him.