Wyatt

"So?" Liv slides a little closer to my side, her fingers tracing the length of my torso. "You wanna move this upstairs?" She looks perplexed, and I realize she's asked me the same question twice.

Damn. I coulda had so much fun tonight.

I take her traveling fingers in mine. "Not tonight, Liv," I say regretfully. "I gotta go catch up with the boys. I owe them a round of flip cup." I smile and lean in, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

She immediately begins to pout, her lower lip jutting outward in a way I don't find attractive.

Now I don't feel so bad about leaving her.

I waste no time, retreating into a crowd of my teammates who are, naturally, involved in all sorts of drinking debauchery. I'm received with whoops and hollers, and lots of high fives. I wasn't the only guy responsible for the win tonight, but it's nice to be recognized, I guess.

I sidestep some puke as I reach the edge of the mob, hoping I get a better view of Colby. I swear it felt like all the air was sucked outta this place when Trey and Alex walked in. Well, obviously nobody else felt that way, but she sure seemed to...

And who cares if I noticed? I just wanna know she's alright, and then she's on her own.

She stands in the foyer, speaking with her brother Alex, and his best friend Trey. They arrived with a crew of frat brothers, and I find myself wondering why they'd ever darken the doors of a high school party.

Trey and Alex used to be my teammates, and I know there's really nothing sinister about them aside from their drug use. So why does Colby look like she'd rather be dead than standing there conversing with her brother and his sidekick?

I'm just about to head over and break up the party when I see Cole strutting up to Colby. He throws his arm around her shoulder, drawing her into his side. The tension seems to filter away, the stiff set of her shoulders easing slightly. She puts a tentative arm around his waist, and I can tell she's still uncomfortable, but she seems more relaxed. I guess she's okay, even if it is because of that asshole.

They chat for a few minutes, and then Alex and Trey move into the dining room. No doubt it's time to set up their pharmacy for the party. They aren't dealers exactly, but I know they make some cash on the side. They both look like they've enjoyed quite a lot of their offerings already.

Ari bursts through the front door, with not two, but three girls— none of which are his girlfriend. There's a good chance they go to Chapman High, as I recognize not one of them, but they wear Chapman colors.

Charming bastard. Even the rival school's girls want a piece of his cocky ass.

"Wahoo! If it ain't the man of the hour," Ari hoots, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a half hug. "We're going to the State Championship this year, even if it is on Cole's and your coattails."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," I say catching a whiff of his potent breath. Yep, Ari's smashed already. "We've only won one game."

"Aw, hell Wyatt, don't go tryin' to crush a man's dreams. We're goin' all the way!" he shouts pumping his fist, and the whole house erupts in cheers.

I shake my head, smirking. The life of the party is here.

Ari sends his entourage of women off to find beer and pizza with a mere flick of his wrist. I've got plenty of skill with the ladies, but I swear Ari puts me to complete and utter shame. They all think they're gonna be the one to fix the ultimate Lothario.

Ain't never gonna happen.

"Where's Nash?" I ask. I thought he'd be with Ari.

"He's got choir in the morning," Ari says, pulling out his phone and sending off a quick text. I know he's texting Anna, keeping up the appearance of the doting boyfriend. I hope she never finds out what a player he is. She's a nice girl.

"Ah, yeah, I forgot tomorrow is Sunday," I say with a short laugh. Nash is part of the choir at his dad's church, and you better believe his mama takes it seriously. She won't let him leave the house on Saturday nights, excepting games of course.

"He's gonna try to break out later after his mama goes to bed," Ari says, grabbing a beer from one of his returning future conquests. "To our imprisoned compatriot." Ari raises his beer in a toast, a solemn look on his face. I tap it with my bottle of water, and we both take a swig.

"Let's show him what he's missing, y'all!" Ari shouts as he extends his phone into the air to snap some pictures. I guess its selfie time. In seconds, a herd of people squeezes in toward Ari and me. There are limbs and duck lips everywhere.

What is it about a camera that turns otherwise normal people into a bunch of shameless morons?

When Ari's satisfied that he's sufficiently captured the antics of the evening, the crowd of exhibitionists disperses.

I don't really feel like hanging out with Ari and his band of groupies, so I excuse myself too. Moving through the throngs of dancing, intoxicated bodies doesn't prove to be as fun as it sounds. I only narrowly avoided being groped by Taylor, who appears to have forgiven me for my behavior at her brother's last party. Kinda wish she was still pissed...

Finally, I arrive on the other side of the human barricade, finding myself in what's-his-name's backyard, and dang, this kid's got some cash.

I'm greeted by an enormous stamped concrete patio dotted with horny classmates making out, disheveled and in various states of undress. I notice a trail of clothing leading to the pool house, and abruptly feel uneasy.

I lost sight of Colby when Ari walked in, and she hadn't looked happy. I can't help but think of the last time she was off on her own with Cole. I hope she's okay.

"Wyatt!" exclaims a voice I don't immediately recognize. I turn to find Alex waving cheerfully, teetering on the edge of the pool.

I sprint to his side, reaching him just before he sways backward into the water. Dude owes me now, 'cause he woulda trashed not only his iPhone, but all that weed in his pocket as well.

"You good, bro?" I ask as I shove him in the opposite direction. He's hella heavy— probably a good two inches and twenty pounds more than me, and I'm six foot three.

"Wyatt!" he repeats, folding me into an awkward bear hug. "I heard you won the game!"

"Uh..." I retreat from my overly jolly and definitely high ex-teammate, straightening my clothes. "It wasn't just me, y'know. Nash had a key block on the last down that made it happen."

"Yeah, yeah, you humble bastard," he says, whipping a blunt out of his pocket and lighting up. "You should come to A&M. We have a great football program."

"Sure," I say. "Just gimme a hundred grand and I'll be on my way."

He laughs. "Sorry, man. I forgot you're poor. Maybe you'll get a scholarship?"

Poor. Right. I know he didn't say it with malice, but his candid tongue is pushing my patience.

"Maybe Colby can talk dad into giving you a raise," he continues, oblivious to my irritation. "You're still the stable hand, aren't you?"

"I think we're done here," I say tersely. "How's about I take you home. You look like you've had enough partying tonight."

"Eh—" he hesitates, shrugging.

"I'll stop at Taco Bell," I add, rolling my eyes.

"Deal," he agrees, following me as I make my way back through the house.

It may not seem like it now, but Alex and I used to be good friends, having grown up together. We used to tease Colby 'til she'd cry when we were younger, teaming up and giving her a hell of a time. Stealing her Barbie dolls, shooting BB guns at her tea set, and outracing her on our bikes when she was learning to ride horses— it was great fun. That is, until I realized I loved her.

Loved.

I sigh. Suddenly, I'm in a vile mood.

I have to stop and redirect Alex toward his Taco Bell prize twice before we make it to the front of the house. I'm pulling the door closed behind me, when it swings open forcefully.

"Hey," Colby begins quietly. She glances over her shoulder, and then turns to me, stepping outside. "Are you leaving?"

"I'm taking your wasted brother home," I say.

"And to Taco Bell!" he shouts from down the walkway.

"And to Taco Bell," I add, my dark mood lightening.

"Can I come?" she asks eagerly. "I'm— I don't...I'm really tired."

"Let's go then," I say, nodding toward my car.

We load up, and Alex babbles on and on. And. On. Who knew weed gave you such loose lips? Uninhibited I tell you, and damn, I learned more shit about Alex in the ten minute trip to Taco Bell than I cared to.

And I wasn't even paying him much attention. My eyes kept drifting toward the pretty girl in the back of my car.