They’re talking about some local band that’s playing at some dive bar next weekend. “It sounds like it should be fun, what do you think, Ron?”
I roll my bottom lip between my teeth. “Umm, can we get into a bar?”
“You can if you have a fake ID.” Heather fishes through her bag and tosses me a driver's license.
I stare at it, then back at her. The woman in the picture has shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. Heather’s got red hair and green eyes. “This doesn’t look anything like you,” I say, passing it back.
“I know, right?” She laughs. “I was so pissed when I got it, but the dude was all, take it or leave it, so I took it.” She drops it back into her purse. “But surprisingly, I’ve never had an issue with it.”
“Do you still have the guy’s number?” Chloe asks.
“He’s on Instagram. I’ll send you his profile. Just DM him,” she tells us.
My phone pings and I pull it out of the front pocket of my overalls. “Oooh, is that who I think it is?” Chloe asks with a grin.
I roll my eyes at her and open the message. It’s from Reese, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a tiny bit disappointed that it isn’t Devin. I haven’t heard from him since last night. I knew he was wasted, but I’d hoped we turned a corner in our relationship. Then I woke up this morning and he was gone, and now I’m not even sure if he remembers any of it.
“It’s Reese. It’s always Reese, and yet you say that every time.”
She flicks me playfully on the nose. “And I’m going to keep saying it until you let that man pop your cherry.”
I glance around the park, praying that no one else heard Chloe’s big mouth. It’s a chilly night, not nearly as chaotic as before. Maybe ten of us tops. “Thank you for broadcasting my virgin status to the entire party.”
“Not the entire party,” Heather chimes in. “Just me, and don’t worry, I’m cool.”
Chloe nods, licking her straw into her mouth. “So, what’s Soto want?”
“He says they’re on their way.” My heart flutters, and then guilt sinks to the pit of my stomach like a bolder. I’m excited that they’re coming, but is it wrong that I’m more thrilled by the prospect of seeing Devin than I am the boy who I’m supposed to hang out with tonight?
“Great.” Chloe rolls her eyes.
“What did he do to piss you off this time?” Heather asks with an amused grin.
“He said he hates girls with small boobs,” Chloe replies.
“He did not.” I laugh, lifting up on my arms. “She forced him to admit some TikTok girl had a nice rack and then got mad at him for it.”
“Ew,” Heather sucks her teeth.
“Right?” Chloe tosses her hair over her shoulder. “He’s a dick.”
I shake my head but don’t bother arguing. Neither I nor logic has a leg to stand on in this discussion.
“Anyway, I look hot tonight, so let’s take a selfie and make that bastard regret ever dissing my small tits.”
“I don’t think that’s what he said.”
Chloe glares at me and holds up her phone. I mime a zipping motion across my lips and scoot into position. She flips through a few filters before settling on one that makes our skin glow and hits the shutter button. “So cute.” She squeals.
“Definitely post worthy,” Heather nods her agreement as Chloe taps a few buttons on her phone and posts it. A moment later she growls at the screen and I’m almost afraid to ask what’s wrong. Thankfully, Heather takes one for the team.
“First comment is for you, Roni,” she says dryly, handing the phone over.
It’s from Reese.
Go_Go_Soto: heart eye emoji. Sweating emoji. Fire emoji.
“What’s it mean?”
“He’s saying you look hot,” Heather says, looking over my shoulder.
I smooth down the Plants over People shirt I’m wearing. “I look like a pre-teen.” I groan. I should have had Chloe dress me again, but I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t change who I am for some guy, and while I still feel that way, for once, I’d like to be one of the hot girls.
Maybe then Devin wouldn’t be so hesitant about taking my virginity.
Chloe and Heather scroll through Instagram, giving their commentary on each picture as they pass, and I lay back into the grass. My mind drifts back to last night, to how it felt to have Devin wrapped around me, to how it would feel if it were always like that between us. In the stillness of the night, just him and me; we could be whatever we wanted.
A truck rumbles in the distance and Chloe straightens her back. My heart goes haywire as the lights filter through the darkness, and Aaron’s GMC rolls into the clearing.
I don’t have to search long before I spot Devin hopping out of the back of the cab. Some guy walks up to him and gives him a high five. I wait a beat, silently imploring him to see me. I need to know if he remembers last night.
The seconds tick by as he greets people one by one, then finally, just when I’m about to look away, his eyes find mine, and my breath catches. He stares at me for so long, it’s like the rest of the world fades away, and it’s just us here. “Remember,” I whisper. “Please remember.”
An arm drapes around my neck and I turn to find Reese grinning at me. “Hey,” he says.
My gaze drifts back across the clearing and Devin’s turned his attention to Brooke. My heart falls. He doesn’t remember.
“Hey,” I say back, trying to rally the appropriate level of excitement for Reese. It isn’t his fault I’m an idiot who went and fell in love with my best friend.
“Are you going to keep the attitude up all night?” Aaron asks, coming up to our blanket. He’s holding a bottle of Malibu Rum, which is Chloe’s kryptonite.
She eyes it with suspicion. “That’s not gonna work.”
Aaron grins. “I know, that’s why I got these too.” He pulls a box of strawberry Pocky from behind his back and Chloe’s lip quivers. She lifts up on her knees and snatches the candy and booze. “Does that mean I’m forgiven?”
“It means you’re on probation.” She rips into the package, and bites one of the sticks in half, before pointing it at his head. “I’m watching you.”
He laughs and falls onto the blanket next to her. He wraps his arms around her body and pulls her onto his lap.
I smile at how cute they are while Reese wiggles his way between my legs. His back is to my chest and he looks up at me with his big brown eyes. “You’re comfy.”
I can’t help the blush that fans my cheeks. I’d blame it on the rum, but I haven’t had much of it. “Just call me pillow,” I say in a lame attempt to flirt.
Chloe shoots me an exasperated look and I shoot her one back.
Subtle, Chen. Real subtle.
Reese, unfazed by my awkwardness, settles in. His hand grips my ankle and he squeezes, sending a little flutter down my spine. I can do this. Reese is hot, and he’s into me for whatever reason, and most importantly he won’t break my heart. Those were the boundaries, right?
I take a deep breath and run my fingers through his inky hair, a move I’d seen Momma do on Paul countless times. He relaxes into my touch, his head resting on my breasts. My heartbeat kicks up, but if he notices, he doesn’t comment. “When are you gonna let me take you on a date?” he asks.