Page 22 of Caged in Flames

Chapter Eleven

Saturday afternoon I'm watching mindless shows on the TV when I hear a rampant knocking on my door. I find my new friend bouncing up and down at the door.

"I seriously hope if you’re still dragging me to this party that you have every intention of me getting drunk enough to deal with the people there while you and Gunner play babysitters.” I tell her seriously.

"Interesting idea, but I was kind of hoping it was more of Gunner babysitting the both of us while we drink and dance.” She claps at her own plan. “I brought anything and everything that we could possibly use or wear for tonight. We have four hours, so maybe we could start making mimosas out of the champagne I have hiding in my suitcase and chill for a bit?”

Hesitating for a minute, I send a text to Gunner making sure he’s cool with having to deal with two tipsy teen girls. Once I get a thumbs up, following some party emojis, I give my new bestie an all clear. There's an undercurrent of anxiety about going to a party with a bunch of these kids, but I don't want to be the loser that hides in her room anymore.

I've never wanted to be in the spotlight off stage, but there's a part of me that needs to feel seen at this school. I spent too long avoiding people and it's time to find how I can break out of my shell. That said, I don't want to make myself too uncomfortable.

While Jane pops a cork in the small kitchenette, I start to go over all the ways I can make sure I am comfortable while pushing boundaries. I can make sure that what I'm wearing makes me feel good about my body. I have two friends, one of which has agreed to stay sober, willing to watch my back so I can let loose. I know that if I hate being there, at least Gunner would be content to have a movie night with me instead.

Jane hands me a drink seconds after I finish the pep talk in my head. Once she has Girls in the Hood by Megan Thee Stallion blaring through the room, we break out the beauty supplies. Time passes quickly, and soon enough we are putting finishing touches on tonight’s looks.

My new friend looks hot. Her red hair is in Hollywood styled curls, her makeup is perfect with a smoky eye and a dark pink lip. She looks like Emma Stone on the red carpet, but in a gold mini dress that fits her like a glove with heels to match. After much deliberation I went with gold tones on my eyes, and vampy sangria colored lipstick. I decided on a black romper that shows off my legs but hides my arms with lace bell sleeves. Jane talked me into a pair of booties that match my lipstick. Technically we compromised because I wanted to wear flats, but whatever.

“Hey, Nix? Are you tipsy enough yet to tell me what happened last night?” Jane’s voice is soft.

I sigh. “It was my dad. I guess he wanted to watch Charlie play. He was in the stands. I haven’t seen him in months and seeing him there…”

I take a minute to collect my thoughts. I don’t want to go down this road right now. Instead, I put those feelings in a mental box to deal with later. “I’m not even sure why it hurt, but it did. Over it now though.”

Jane nods and though the look on her face is unsure, she nods. “Alright. More drinks!”

Another round of mimosas later, Gunner shows up to walk us to the party. It’s in the woods behind campus, and for some reason the school faculty leaves us be. Probably because their salary is less than some of these student's weekly allowance. Rich kids are fucking annoying.

Maybe it’s the champagne, or maybe it’s the pent-up attraction between him and I, but the way Gunner’s eyes slowly travel over my body has my skin flushing. “Nixy, you look…beautiful.” He leans in and kisses one of my cheeks. If I had chosen my usual bright red lipstick, my whole face would match it.

Attempting to quickly cover my reaction, I give him saucy grin. The way his lips tilt up before he pulls the bottom one in between his teeth tells me I failed. Fuck. Thankfully, or unfortunately, Jane's not so subtle cough shakes us out of our moment. He gives me a wink before turning to her. “You look great too, Jane.”

“Yes, yes, we all look fantastic so let’s get out of here.” She gives us a “scoot” motion, but she's so excited that I think she would start pushing us to get us moving. Wrapping her arm in mine, she starts leading us out of the building.

We have to trek across campus in order to get to the spot in the woods where the party will be. The whole way there, Jane tells us about a girl from one of her morning classes that has caught her attention, gesturing wildly with her hands. I try to concentrate on her story, but it's a little difficult when Gunner's hand is resting on my lower back every time we step onto a path that isn't completely clear.

I really, really like this. Maybe he’s just trying to make sure I stay steady, but the way he casually lets his index finger slide up my spine every so often tells me he knows the effect he has on me. By the time we make it through the clearing, the party seems to be in full swing. Bodies are dancing, mingling, sitting on random logs, and there’s even a makeshift bar. Jane pulls us over in that direction and pours two shots in plastic cups.

“To new friendships, and dudes cool enough to watch over us for the night.”

Gunner snorts and grabs a bottle of water while we down the drinks. Jane pours another round and we do it again. “There we go. Cheap vodka buzz should hit just in time for me to drag you on the dance floor.” She mixes us up some cocktails that are just barely drinkable before pulling us over to an unoccupied spot close to the makeshift area that kids are using to grind on each other. I can see in her eyes that she's going to start pulling us that way any second.

In order to prolong the inevitable, I start up a conversation about Schitt's Creek, and how Stevie is the best character on the show. Jane disagrees intensely, arguing that Alexis had the best character arc before something catches her eye, and she starts walking back towards the drink area after asking, “Well, maybe just one more shot?”

I turn my head to look over my shoulder, and Gunner’s hand slides down my arm before squeezing my hand. He sat quietly throughout our debate, but he kept finding ways to touch me. With every brush of his hand against mine, I was reminded that he was still right here with me. I was also reminded of my extreme lust for him, but I'm not quite drunk enough to make that move yet.

Even though their presence is expected, it’s still a shot to my nerves to see them here. Jude, Sawyer, and Charlie make their way over to the bar before setting up camp on a log surrounded by their fanbase. I can see all the guys who look at them like they want to be in their spot, and all the girls hoping to be in their bed. It's gross, but it's more frustrating because I know exactly what it's like to fall into the same trap.

Jane goes over to greet her cousin and his friends, but I think her main goal was another round of that shitty vodka. Lucky for her, I think it’s necessary at this point. Although for these kids having the means, they didn't bother buying the good stuff. When she returns, I don't hesitate to chug it down.

"It's pretty fucking gross that they have their own groupies. I don't get it. Honestly, if any of them got to see Jude during his Twilight phase when we were in middle school, they'd know he wasn't worth the hype." Her mouth twists up sympathetically, but fuck, I'm not trying to make her choose between me and her cousin.

I know that just standing here means my eyes will drift towards them, and I don't want that. Instead of overthinking my actions, I pull Jane and Gunner with me to the dance floor. She squeals in delight, and G just raises a brow at me.

For a little while, we act silly and just let loose. Jane cranks out a sprinkler move and then grabs my arms to start a two-person conga line. Before we know it, the music turns from party mood to sensual. I feel Gunner slide behind me, and I let the alcohol running through my system fuel my bravery. His hands come around to my hips and I jut my ass out just enough to rub against him. Moving his hands up my rib cage, and he starts to sway my body with his.

Jane comes up in front of me, and some random guy I’ve seen around campus starts to dance behind her. She doesn't seem overly interested in the attention, but she uses him like a prop for her own moves.

Heaven by Julia Michaels starts playing, and I decide fuck it. I fully lean into Gunner behind me. I rest my head on his shoulder, glancing up at him in what I am hoping is a “fuck this friend zone” look, and the way he looks at me through his lashes seems to say “yeah, fuck that shit”. Jane eyes us curiously, and I can feel other eyes on me. I ignore it all.

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