Page 8 of Life of the Party

“I’ll take that, thank you.” Grey decided, flopping down on the barstool beside me, tipping back my shooter and slamming it loudly on the bar.

“What are you doing?” I looked at him with shock, only half-annoyed. The other half was thrilled by his very presence.

“A water for her, please.” He ordered, and the bartender obliged with a smile, plunking an icy glass before him. He slid it my way.

“Mackenzie, right?”

“Yes.”

“You shouldn’t be drinking, kiddo. Not when you’re as high as you look.”

“Ugh.” I gave him a look of complete disgust. “Don’t call me kiddo.”

“Sorry.” A smirk curled his lips, the first smile I’d ever received from him. “How old are you anyway?”

“Seventeen. Tragic, isn’t it?”

“Doesn’t seem to be holding you back any.”

“I guess not.” I shrugged. “Why, how old are you?”

“How old do you think?”

“I don’t know…,” I bit my lip in thought, “given the stubble, I’d say…forty-two, forty-three? Am I close?” I giggled.

“Ouch.” He smirked again. “Now that’s tragic.”

“Okay,” I laughed, “for real. How old are you?”

“Twenty-one. Old enough to know better.” Grey shrugged and smiled at me, a real smile this time. I grinned right back, crazily, foolishly in love with him.

Then my cell phone rang.

“Uh, hold on one sec,” I mumbled hastily, checking the number before flipping the phone open. The call was from Ben’s house.

“Hey, Ben.” I hoped my voice held just enough impatience. “What’s up?”

“Man, you gotta get over here right away. Riley’s totally freaking out.”

My heart hit the bottom of my stomach. I stood up off the stool.

“What do you mean freaking out? Is he okay? What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s the mush. He’s goin’ crazy; Mac. He says you’re the only one that’ll make him feel better.”

“Tell him I’m coming, okay? I’m on my way.” I hung up quickly and stuffed my phone hastily in my purse. “I gotta go. I guess Riley’s having a bad trip.”

“Shit, really?”

“Yeah.” I threw my coat on. “I don’t even really know what to do.”

“Not much you can do. He’s gotta ride it out. And no matter how much he begs, don’t take him to the hospital. No one ever died from a mushroom trip. He’ll just get himself in shit.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at Grey regretfully. How I wished I could stay. “I guess I’ll see you around?”

“Have a good night, kiddo.”

I shot him a look and shook my head, and we were smiling at each other as I reluctantly turned to leave him.

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