I laugh. "Well, I got chocolate."
"Thank goodness! I got the pizza! I'll be over in a bit."
"Kay. See you."
"Bye."
I hang up and throw my phone down on the bed next to me. My hair is still damp, and now it's a wavy mess. My stomach growls, and I am so looking forward to pizza. Loud laughter booms from downstairs; my interest is piqued. I grab my phone and hop off my bed. I toss on a cardigan over my ensemble of a tank top and shorts before heading down to see what's going on. The living room is empty; the voices seem to be coming from the kitchen. I pause just at the threshold and notice that there’s a male body in every available space. The center island is covered in trays and bowls of finger foods. My brothers--minus Victor--Chase, and a few other guys are conversing. Pregaming, as they call it. They're all dressed nice minus Vaughn, who's in a tee and mesh shorts. Our mom has always enjoyed entertaining people, even if it's just our friends. But Mom is nowhere in sight. I snatch a piece of ring bologna from the tray and dip it in some spicy mustard.
Vance is the first one to notice me. "What up, V?" Everyone looks my way at Vance’s greeting. I hug my sweater to me and take a bite of my bologna. "Nothing. Where's Mom?" I ask as I hop up on the stool in front of the kitchen island, right by the food.
"Her and Dad just left to go out for dinner," Vin answers. I nod, swinging my legs back and forth. They resume talking about whatever they were discussing before I came in. Chase comes to stand across from the kitchen island, leans down, and rests his arms on the countertop. "You don't look like you're going to a party," He says low enough so only I hear him. He looks good...real good. He's wearing a dark gray shirt that strains against his tan arms. His dirty blond hair is messy; well, the little bit that has grown in. His blue eyes seem more blue than usual. They're a weapon-- a girl could get lost in those.
"Yeahhh," I sigh. "not feelin' it. Doesn’t sound all that appealing anymore."
He laughs, "So what are your real plans for tonight?" he takes a sip from his beer bottle.
"Tay’s on her way over, gonna have a girls night."
"Girls Night," He rubs his chin. "does that include a sexy pillow fight?" he asks with a smile.
"Oh yeah, in nothing but our underwear."
He pauses, and I see his Adam's apple bob. I don't think he was expecting that response.
"You look nice," I tell him because it’s the truth. He looks better than nice, and I'm a little annoyed at that. He's going to be the hottest guy in the bar, and no doubt the barflies are going to be all over him.
"You do too. I especially like the shorts." He winks.
"Pizza's here!" a loud voice booms from the front of the house. Taylor comes into the kitchen holding a pizza box in her right hand, above her shoulder. All the guys look her way.
"Pizza?" Vance repeats looking towards Tay. I point at him and say, "NOT for you!"
Tay moves through the kitchen, putting the pizza on the stovetop. I hop off the stool and walk around the island, grabbing plates from the cabinet above.
"Oh c'mon!" Vance says coming up behind us.
"No! You're going out, go get your own food."
When Tay opens the box, the fresh smell of hot peppers wafts upward. I love hot peppers on my pizza, as does Taylor. We're truly a match made in heaven. There's also steak, onion, and mushrooms. German pizza is the shit. Vance snatches a piece of meat off the pie. I smack his hand as he pulls away.
"Ow," he mumbles.
"Get outta here," I tell him, and bump him out of the way. I grab a slice and plop it on my plate. Tay does the same and closes the box. "Jerry's on his way over. He called me when I was picking up the pizza."
"Yay!" We both stand with our backs against the stove, protecting the pie. The moans coming from us have all the guys watching us.
"You two do not play fair," Vance tells us, "Now I want fucking pizza." He finishes his beer then throws the empty bottle in the recycling. "You guys ready?"
"You driving?" I ask him.
He shakes his head and says, "Chase is".
"How'd you get stuck being the DD?" I ask him and catch this mischievous smile on his face. That’s when I notice my cell right in front of him. I cock my head to the side, and his smile widens. Alright Chase, what are you up to? My goodness, he looks so good.
He shrugs. "I don't drink to get drunk."
"Well then, have fun with those guys." I devour my slice and move onto the next. The guys all leave, except Vaughn, since he's not old enough to legally drink.
"What are your plans?" I ask him. He shrugs.
"You want pizza?" I offer, as sweet as I can.
"Yeah, thanks," He says as he grabs a slice, sans plate, and devours his slice in like four bites.
"Jeez. Hungry much?" I laugh.
"I guess. I'm gonna be out in the garage." He grabs another slice and walks out of the kitchen. Yeah, he was hungry. It's quiet now that it's just Tay and me.
"Who were those other guys?"
"I'm not sure, I haven't seen them before."
"They're cute."
I hum my approval, but Chase was the only one who held my eyes. When Taylor's phone dings, she picks it up. "Oh. Jerry's here!" She runs out of the kitchen to the front door. I hear them greet each other, then she returns with him in tow. "I brought goodies!" he announces holding up a grocery bag.
"Jerrryyyy!" I yell and go to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, squeezing me to him.
"I hope it's okay that I'm crashing your girl’s night." He releases me and puts the bag on the counter.
"Jerry, you are the exception!"
Taylor peeks into his bag, "Whatcha bring us?" He pulls out a bag of chocolate bites, Twizzlers, Swedish Fish, and a two-liter of cream soda. He wags his eyebrows at us. I grab the package of Twizzlers; my favorite. We take our party of three into the living room. I flip on the TV and plop down onto the sofa. Jerry takes a seat next to me, leaving Tay on the other end of the sofa. I rip open the Twizzlers package and scroll through the premium channels. Sixteen Candles is on, so I immediately turn it on.
"Again? Seriously?" Taylor whines.
"Yes, shut up. One does not skip Sixteen Candles."
"Jake Ryan is boss," Jerry chimes in.
"See! Jerry knows what's up."
"I don't know how you can watch this over and over again."
"It is the best movie ever, that's how. Now shut up, you're killing my mood." I throw a Twizzlers at her. I can see her in the corner of my eye, she picks up the Twizzlers and takes a bite, then twirls it around. Jerry and I are watching intently. I can see Taylor is restless, checking her phone, bouncing her knee. Taylor is weird when it comes to movies. If she's seen it too many times, she can't watch it. I've made her watch this probably a million and one times.
"Taylor, I swear, go take a walk."
She puffs, "I'm gonna go make some brownies."
"YES!" I shout and throw my hands up. Sixteen Candles AND brownies? This night just turned epic!