“Beautiful chew toy sounds like a Billie Eilish song.”
We laugh as we walk inside. People are scattered around in small groups, holding red Solo cups, talking and hanging out, music subdued in the background. Eyes land on us and leave just as fast as we make our way through the entry, only adding to how awkward I feel.
None of this should be a big deal, but it is for me. I’ve been complaining about being left behind. But sleeping with someone, in theory, is totally different than doing this shit in real life. Do I really picture myself all sweaty on some random bed with a bunch of people downstairs? Do I even imagine doing it with Hunter?
At first, I thought I’d just find some random guy, but then Hunter came out of nowhere. I didn’t really see him coming. I mean, it’s not as if I’m socially unacceptable. I’m not. I’m a catch, but guys like Hunter run in a faster crowd than I do, which is both a pro and a con.
A pro for him is that he’s managed quite the reputation for taking virginities. In the same breath, he seems to leave the girl feeling grateful rather than discarded. It’s so weird. But there’s never been a complaint lodged, so when he started talking to me, I figured—why not.
A con is that I’ll be relegated to the basic bitches of the world that all lost it to Hunter Kelly. That’s not really a club I want to join.
But eye on the prize and a means to an end and all.
The other con is how all my bravado is beginning to taste like bile.
Come on, loser, get it together.
Piper’s head swings back to me, all smiles before returning to the front.
I got this. It’s fine. There’s no right way to do it, and if I keep trying to plan it, senior year will suck. College will suck. And then I’ll be on my deathbed, just me and my virginity, together forever. BFFs.
No. Hunter’s a perfect choice, and if the rumors are true…he’s hung. That’s a plus, or so I hear. Ooo, but maybe it would be better the first time with something more midsize. Like something I could have a better handle on.
Oh my God. What is wrong with me?
“You holding up okay, Sut?” Aubrey laughs, intuitively knowing I’m in my head, as she takes my hand to pull me farther into the house.
I nod in answer, half a smile on my face as we snake through some people. The crack of a cue ball makes my shoulders jump as my eyes swing to a room with an arched entryway, watching some college guys tease the girl they’re with. Shifting my head to the other side, I take in a large living room with more people that look way older than us, and worry starts to grow.
“I don’t see any other people from our class. You think they’ll let us stay?” I whisper into Aubrey’s ear.
She points, making me turn my head toward a glass accordion door that’s opened to the backyard.
“Whoa.”
Kids are everywhere, flanking the rectangular pool that’s illuminated by red lights. Past them, stairs lead out to the beach where a bonfire’s raging and even more people are partying.
“Jesus, all of Burr is here. Probably Eastside Public too.”
Eastside? Maybe West goes there since he looked younger. Or maybe they all do.
My dad’s voice pushes to the forefront of my mind. “If they come anywhere near you, I want to know.” No way would they come to a party like this. Then again, they did come to our courts.
Piper smiles at me. “This is a rager. You still think this was a bad idea, Sutton?”
Definitely not now. Not that I’m hoping to see them.
“Time to party,” Aubrey interjects, stopping us in front of a big silver keg.
Our eyes collectively land on a guy I recognize as a senior named Phillip.
“Ladies.” He grins. “Thirsty?”
“Absolutely,” Aubrey answers way too seductively, making me and Piper laugh.
“Well, ask and you shall receive, gorgeous.”
He hands us each a cup, eyes lingering on Aubrey before Piper pulls her a few feet away, closer to the back doors, with me in tow.
“Pace yourself. He’s a skeeze, and everyone knows it,” Piper snarks. “I’m only taking the drink because I watched him pour it.”
The honey-colored liquid sloshes as I bring it to my nose to sniff, half-joking.
“Um…mine smells like shoe. Is that normal?”
Piper sticks her tongue out at me.
“You drink it. You don’t wear it,” Aubrey jokes, taking a big gulp, and then she looks at us. “Well? Am I doing this alone? We’re here. Finally. All in, sluts.”
Piper giggles before holding up her cup, saying, “All in,” and takes a drink. She looks at me when she finishes, having chugged the whole thing. So I lift the beer and wink because there’s no way I’m doing what I came for without a little liquid courage.
“Bottoms up, and cherries popped.”
They both squeal, but as the rim touches my lips, I’m rammed from behind and sent flying. My knees buckle, hands hitting the ground as the cup goes flying but not before I’m drenched in cheap beer.
“What the fuck, dude!” Aubrey yells, shoving some guy.
Piper’s at my side in a split second, helping me to stand, darting her glare back behind me as she says, “Are you okay, Sut?”
A slightly slurred, deeper voice behind her cuts in. “Hey, sorry, chick. That was my bad.”
“It’s fine,” I mumble, looking down at my ruined and partially see-through top as I wipe my cheeks.
“Do you want another drink?” the idiot says, making me blow out a frustrated breath.
Piper snaps her fingers. “Dude, get the hell out of here before I—oh.”
The change in her tone has my head jerking around to see perfectly tousled hair and an awfully familiar smirk.
Hunter’s smile grows, and I turn bright red as I pat the back of my hand over my mouth. His eyes dart to my outfit, then back to my face.
“You look wet.”
I smile. I can’t help it.
“I feel wet.”
Oh God—put the words back in my mouth. My embarrassment isn’t helped by my shitty friends that laugh.
“Come on. I can help.”
I raise my brows as he takes my hand.
“You can borrow a shirt, Freckles.”
Duh. You horny weirdo—he wasn’t going to fuck you right here.
“Oh. Yeah. Okay. Cool. Thanks.”
“Yeah, you go get that shirt, Sutton.” Piper smiles, and Aubrey joins in. “Yeah, take your time choosing the right one. We got all night.”
I’ll kill them.
Hunter turns, joining both his hands behind his back, holding mine in between them, as he leads me away. Oh my God begins running consecutively through my head, as if I’m hyperventilating.
I glance back over my shoulder at Piper and Aubrey, who are doing different versions of hip thrusts.
A giggle escapes before I turn back, knowing they haven’t stopped but still trying to play it cool.
Hunter says hello to everyone as we make our way through his massive living room decorated in white—all white. It’s sterile. But I bet his parents boast about the clean lines and minimalism. It’s something I’ve heard my mother say, and it seems to fit.
As we walk, I begin to notice the number of curious faces each time they see whose hand he’s holding. Are they surprised he’s into me or that I’m into him?