“My daughter!” he yells, and Fallon nods.
“Yes. You don’t see Aiden, Asher, or Stella taking people’s virginity!”
“I didn’t get a chance to,” Aiden says, and if looks could kill, everyone but me would be dead at this table.
“Me either,” Asher and Stella say, and then they laugh before high-fiving.
“Y’all are making a big deal out of this. It was only like five times, and it was only for fun. We’re better off as friends,” Quinn says, and Emery nods as if they’re talking about how many times they went for ice cream. What is wrong with kids today?
Shit, am I a kid?
I slink down more in my seat as I say under my breath, “Please stop talking.”
Quinn looks at me and shrugs. “I don’t know why everyone is all upset.”
“Because you don’t have sex with your family friend just to lose your virginity,” I say very sternly. “Especially when she is a minor!”
“I used a condom and it was legal.”
“For the love of God, you are the dumbest smart person I know!” I yell, getting up and looking at my mom. “I gotta go. This is too much. Thanks for dinner.” I then look at the two brilliant idiots. “Stop talking. Just stop.”
Everyone but my parents and Fallon and Lucas laughs as I head out, so overstimulated I can’t even deal. I don’t know if it’s because that was so cringeworthy I’m embarrassed for them, or because I’m a virgin and my younger brother isn’t.
Either way, I’m done with today.
twelve
Callie
“Rules!”
Misty holds up her hands to shut everyone up. We circle her outside of the house, all glammed up and ready to party. When word got out that the Bullies’ hockey house’s RA wouldn’t be home tonight, the boys told everyone and anyone who would listen that they were having a party. I don’t know if that means Evan isn’t into parties or if he’s, like, super strict with them, but I’m kind of sad I won’t see him there. I made sure to keep it to myself this morning on our run, though we didn’t talk much. He seemed distracted, and I was exhausted.
Either way, I’m excited to party. We haven’t been to a good party since school started, and the hockey boys are known for good parties.
“One, no drinking. We have practice in the morning, and I will not have any of us slacking. We can’t win if we don’t work for it.”
“Get tight! Get it right!” we echo. I used to think it was dumb that we said that, but whatever. I’m used to it now.
“Second, we travel in pairs. No one leaves without their buddy!”
“Get tight! Get it right!” we echo as Cameron and I lock arms.
“Third, no sleeping with anyone at this party. No one can be bowlegged tomorrow.”
I snicker as everyone echoes, “Get tight! Get it right!”
“And fourth, have fun but don’t be stupid. Don’t put yourself in a position that can get us on the news or social media. Don’t be hateful to anyone, but don’t be dumb either.”
We all nod as we echo, “Get tight! Get it right!”
We clap twice and then head into the hockey house. I’m wearing heels way too high, but I like them. I like dressing up, especially when I live in a leotard and sweatpants most of the time. Ever since I learned how to style my hair with its natural curls, it flows uncontrollably around my shoulders. I used to straighten it every day, but now, I don’t have time for that. The dress I’m wearing is tight, and while my ass looks great, my chest is lacking. I almost wore a padded bra, but the dress is so formfitting, it makes me look as if I have boobs when I don’t. Since I carry the gene that causes breast cancer, I had my breasts removed. I was going to get implants, but I decided against it because I still have four years of gymnastics. Boobs get in the way.
Still, I want attention tonight. I want to be seen, which is why I let Shantae do my makeup in the dark, sultry way she does. I think, in the back of my mind, I’m hoping that Evan is here. But once I arrive, I know there’s no way he is.
These boys are wild.
A keg is in every room, along with a DJ and a dance floor. There is a bounce house out front and a room just for beer pong. It’s insane, one of the best parties I’ve seen since being at Bellevue, I decide as we walk in. Cheers and excitement erupt as we arrive and make our way through the house to scope everything out. Everyone is here—tennis house, football house, and when I see that the swim house is here, I groan inwardly. I haven’t seen Tommy since I left school for the summer, and I really don’t want to see him tonight. He’s always trying to hit me up on Instagram and Snapchat, but I just ignore him. I don’t have time for guys who behave like him.
When Cameron pulls me to the dance floor, we laugh and dance with no cares in the world. Guys try to hit on us, but we’re too busy having fun. Hell, even Misty is having fun, making out with one of the hockey players. It’s an absolute blast. But then there he is. I hold my breath as I watch Tommy move his girlfriend’s hair out of her eyes. He is still as gorgeous as I remember. Long blond hair, extremely strong shoulders, tall and lean. I loved how big he was because I’m so small. I’ve always been attracted to guys way bigger than me. Makes me feel safe. Tommy looks over, and our eyes meet. He presses his lips together, and I notice that Cameron has followed my gaze when she turns me so I can’t see him.
She rolls her eyes. “Fuck him. He isn’t worth your time.”
“Oh, I know. It’s just annoying,” I say, shaking my head. “He just moved right on as if we weren’t together.”
She shrugs. “I know, but you moved on emotionally like two months into your relationship. It’s okay.”
“You’re right. I just hate that I allowed him to cheat on me. I should have ended it when I wasn’t feeling it anymore.”
“Absolutely. But don’t worry. Maybe you’ll get lucky and the RA will come back early and punish you,” she says, waggling her brows.
I snort. “Please, he isn’t looking for a distraction right now.”
She scoffs. “Baby girl, no one can ignore you. You’re a walking attention-getter.”
I push her playfully as I feel my face fill with color.
“He may resist now, but don’t worry, he won’t for long,” she says with another waggle of her brows.
She always does that, and it makes me think of Ernie from Sesame Street. I don’t know why, but I can’t help but smile, nonetheless.
“Come on. Want to get something to snack on?”
“Duh,” I say since I’m always down for snacks. We lace our fingers and head toward the kitchen. When we arrive, though, there is no food, only alcohol, alcohol, and a side of alcohol. It’s really unfortunate. “This is bullshit.”
“For real,” Cameron says, but then she grabs a guy by his shirt and flutters her eyelashes at him. “Hey.”
“Heyya,” he says with a thick French accent that leaves me breathless.
“I’m Cameron.”
“Benny,” he says, and I don’t think that’s not his real name, but who the hell cares. The dude is beautiful. Tall, dark, and thick. Lord. Almighty.