Page 15 of Life of the Party

“Nothing. Just don’t try to make me do things I don’t want to do.”

“But until, like, three seconds ago, you did want to do these things.”

“Well, I don’t anymore, okay? Don’t get all dramatic.”

“All dramatic?” I repeated dramatically.

“Can you just drop it, please?”

I stared at him a moment. “Whatever,” I muttered. I wasn’t ready to drop it, not even close. It made me anxious. Our relationship didn’t need any more change at the moment; it needed good old repetition and routine until we were comfortable again. Until we were Riley and Mackenzie, just like always.

The Riley and Mackenzie who got high, had fun and were what they’d always been.

“Look, I’m sorry.” Riley softened and gave me a little smile. “It’s hard enough as it is, you know?”

“What’s hard?” I wondered, but Riley ignored me.

“Did you see your schedule?” I guess he considered the case closed.

“…No.” I pouted. “I know I work tomorrow night, but that’s it.”

“Here.” He unfolded a sheet of paper for me to see. “You’re on tomorrow, Friday night, and Sunday afternoon. You’ll probably get more shifts with more practice.”

“When do you work?” I asked, taking the paper from him, scouring it for Grey’s shifts instead—feeling gutted when I noticed he worked a lot during the day while I was at school. Stupid age! But then, not all was lost. He worked the Friday evening shift that week right alongside me.

I smiled at the thought, taking a quick glance at Riley’s schedule. “You and I work together every time.” I realized.

He nodded. “I requested that. Thought I could help you out if you need.”

“Oh, thanks, Ry.”

He shrugged. “No big deal.”

It was a big deal. I was touched. I sat back in my chair and studied him through the curling smoke of my cigarette, taking in his messy hair, his dark chocolate eyes…feeling warm all over. “Riley.” I smiled fondly. “Can we go get high now or what?”

He shot me a look, shaking his head. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

I took that as a yes. “So you’re in then?”

“No. I’m not. Come on, I’ll give you a ride home.”

I frowned as Riley got his stuff together, a flutter of panic settling into the pit of my stomach. I tried to push it aside. He was still Riley. Weed or no weed, he was my friend, my best friend, and he always would be. Nothing could or would change that.

I managed a smile as we walked to the car, but the worry remained.

CHAPTER 6

We rode silently. Riley’s window was rolled up; he chewed his gum compulsively.

I sat with my arms crossed, dying for a cigarette, staring glumly out the window at the larger, newer homes lining my street that gradually changed to older, smaller houses as we drove towards the school.

I was irritated. Riley had decided, among everything else, to quit smoking as well. It pissed me off that I couldn’t smoke in Riley’s car, something I’d done every single school morning since he got his license.

I didn’t even have to say anything. Riley just knew.

“You’re mad.” He stated tersely. “‘Cause you have to wait another ten minutes before you can smoke? Seriously?”

“Yes, that, among other things,” I admitted.

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