Page 40 of Forbidden Hearts

“Time to drink up, bitches,” Gianna says, pouring tequila into the cups.

I’m taken aback by this, but then I remember they speak to each other as if they have been friends for a long time. Does this mean I’m part of the gang now?

“I’ll have a shot,” I say. “Isabella, do you want one?”

“One shot?” Abby laughs. “Nah, you girls need to take three each. You need to catch up to us!”

Isabella gives me a nervous look. She’s the youngest of the group, not even twenty-one, and definitely not the type to get drunk. It wouldn’t surprise me if this is her first time drinking.

She doesn’t protest when Abby gives us our first round of shots. She simply looks at the cup in her hand, takes the shot, and coughs. Her eyes water as she coughs into her free hand.

I down mine, too. The tequila burns the back of my throat, but I fight the urge to cough.

I’m not much of a drinker. Not that I’m straight edge or anything, it’s just that I don’t have time to go out and drink. Most of the time, I’m either helping Mom, studying, or working at The Den, where Idodrink a beer or two before getting on stage. Drinking shots is a whole different ballpark.

Abby and Gianna refill our shot cups a second time, and we shove them down, too. It’s the end of the first week of school, and assignments are as light as they’ll ever be. I might as well have some fun while I can.

“Holy shit,” Liam appears behind me. “You girls are going hard!”

“They’re catching up,” Abby says. “One more and they’re up to speed.”

Isabella and I take our third shot. She coughs again and sticks her tongue out.

“My face feels numb,” she says.

“Are you a lightweight?” Liam asks her.

“I guess I am,” she nods.

“Come, let’s go watch the volleyball game,” Gianna says.

The five of us walk over to the pool.

“Are you guys game?” Abby asks.

“Game for what?” Isabella asks.

“To play,” Abby says. “It looks fun.”

Isabella turns to me and I give her a stare. Yeah, I’m not getting in the pool tonight. I didn’t come prepared for it at all.

I turn to the others to see what they think. Gianna is looking around as if she’s trying to find someone. Liam quickly looks away when I turn to face him, as if I didn’t already know he has been checking me out this whole time.

“Maybe some other time,” I tell Abby. “I just want to chill and drink tonight.”

“Yeah, same,” Isabella says.

“Fine, buzz kills,” Abby says.

“Speaking of drinks, I think I found the cooler where they keep the good stuff,” Gianna says. She points to a cooler on a table behind the DJ. “Abby, come with me to get some stuff.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Abby says. “We’ll be back, guys. Don’t leave this spot, or we’ll keep the drinks to ourselves.”

She and Gianna giggle as they walk away.

“Cool party, huh?” Liam asks us as soon as Abby and Gianna leave. “They host another one just like this right after finals.”

“Yeah, it’s cool,” I say. This is the first college party I’ve been to in over a year, so it’s nice to be carefree for one night. “Are all these people art majors?”

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