Page 51 of Big Red

Madison: Welcome, Alice!

Sara: Just remember no matter what you read in here, this is a judge-free zone.

Crystal: Girl, hush. I’m y’all’s mama, and even I had to side-eye you heathens for a few things y’all say.

Sofia: Heathens?! Now that’s just wrong, Mama.

Taking a seat on the bed, I giggle before typing out my reply.

Me: What is SSGC?

Cara: Sinful Sisters Group Chat. Why does everyone always ask that?

Bianca: Cara, we are not doing this with you today. Why have you summoned us to the group chat? I know you probably have something up your sleeve.

Victoria: Whatever it is, leave me and Crystal out of it. The last girls' night, Madison had to be carried out of the bar. We don’t want those kinds of problems.

Madison: Rude much.

Sofia: In Madison's defense, that was her first time having tequila. And Bianca made us drink two bottles.

My eyes widen as I reread Sofia’s text, making sure I’m seeing this right. Two bottles of tequila? What the hell are their livers made of?

Bianca: I made you? That’s a bit extreme. Don’t blame me because y’all can’t keep up with me.

Sara: B, a sailor couldn’t keep up with you, so we don’t see that as an insult.

Cara: LADIES! We are getting off topic here. I wanted to invite everyone to my house tonight for a slumber party. I’ve also invited Will, Nova, Debbie, Leah, and Violet. Dad said we can drop all the kids off at seven, so don’t be late.

Bianca: A slumber party? Aren’t we a bit too grown for that?

Cara: Well, since you and Madison went and got knocked up, we can’t go to a club, so slumber party it is. Don’t worry, I got all your favorite snacks plus a nice big pregnancy pillow just for you.

Bianca: I’ll be there!

The rest of the ladies and I all reply the same before the group chat goes silent. I’m more excited about the thought of having a sleepover than I expected. I never got the chance to have a slumber party since both of my friends growing up were boys.

I jump out of my bed, pulling out a onesie I got from Victoria's Secret. I spend the rest of the day cleaning my room while texting with Red. The day passes quickly, and before I know it, we are all seated in Cara’s living room, goofing around. Will’s been making his famous margaritas, and I am a bit tipsy.

Cara has the cutest little setup for Madison and Bianca. They have their own little corner with these humongous bean bags and pregnancy pillows. They also have a few throw blankets to keep them warm.

A little bit after everyone settles in, the prospects come over. They come in with enough food to feed an army. Cara made sure we had variety. We have pizza, burgers, tacos, and pasta. As the prospects are getting ready to leave, Cara starts to hand each of them a joint.

When Madison’s brother, Ethan, goes to grab one, she clears her throat, gaining his attention.

“Does Mom know you smoke pot?” she teases.

“I’m grown, Maddy. I don’t have to report my every move anymore.” Tucking the joint behind his ear, he turns to follow the other prospects out the door.

“I don’t know, baby brother. I think we should tell her.” Madison's shoulders begin to shake as he gives her a blank stare.

“And while we’re at it, we can tell her all about you and Thor’s late-night driveway escapades,” he spits. “Had me calling on Jehovah, Buddha, and every other god to wipe that memory away.”

He walks out the door, leaving Madison horrified as we laugh. Her mouth is opening and closing like a fish out of water. Her little brother has just rendered her speechless.

“My, my, my. What exactly were you and my best bud up to, Madison?” Cara eyes her with a devious smile.

“It’s these damn pregnancy hormones. He went to get me a cheesesteak from Joe's in the middle of the night because I was craving it. By the time he got back, I was ready to jump his bones.”

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