Page 73 of Life of the Party

“Well, then, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to party with us.” Charlie winked at me. “We’re going to Grey’s house.”

I giggled excitedly. “Shot for shot again, is it?” I challenged her.

“Baby, I could out drink you any day. Don’t you remember last time?”

I laughed. “That wasn’t fair. I hadn’t eaten anything for like a week that night.”

“Wait,” Grey chuckled from the backseat. “Wasn’t that the night I walked in and you were in nothing but your underwear?”

Charlie burst out laughing. I blushed. “Yeah.”

“So…you guys should probably do it again.” He decided innocently. “You know, just for curiosity’s sake.”

“Yeah right,” I turned to face him in the backseat and giggled. “You just want to see me in my underwear.”

A sexy smirk lit his perfect face. “Hell yeah I do.”

I blushed an even deeper red.

Loud music was pumping from Grey’s house as we pulled up in front; cars were parked up and down the street. I was surprised. I thought it’d just be the five of us like usual; I didn’t realize we were having an actual party. I grinned enthusiastically as I stepped out of the car, fully prepared to have an awesome time. Grey took my hand and led me up the front walk while Charlie tripped her way to the house, giggling and stumbling.

I laughed. “Is she already drunk or something?”

Grey stopped. He looked guilty. “Uh…yeah, a bit. We came here during your reception and kind of…got a head start.”

“You did?” I looked up at him, noticing for the first time the slight blear of his beautiful blue eyes, the unsteadiness of his stance. I remembered the exuberant cheering they’d done for me at the reception. No wonder they’d been so enthused since they were already so wasted.

“Are you mad?” Grey wondered.

I thought about it a moment and I couldn’t really decide. I was a bit put out they hadn’t waited for me—I mean, it would have been only a few more hours and it was my graduation, after all. But as I looked up at Grey, into his perfect, impossibly handsome face, I decided it didn’t matter. I wanted to be the best girlfriend he’d ever had, I wanted him to brag about how awesome I was to his friends. I didn’t want to be one of those whiny girls who got all naggy with her boyfriend when he did something without her.

I smiled. “Are you kidding me? Now I’ll kick her ass at shots for sure.”

Grey laughed with relief. He looked down at me happily as his hand cupped my cheek, his other turned up my chin so we could kiss. I tasted whiskey on his breath, but his lips were sweet and enticing.

There were tons of people inside, many I’d never met before. Grey introduced me to a bunch of them. I smiled politely but knew I’d never remember all their names.

Some people full-on stared at me. Well, I don’t think they were staring at me so much as they were me and Grey together. It was a sight to behold, apparently—Grey with a girlfriend. He held my hand the entire time as we mingled around, and I loved it—it felt amazing to know I was the only girlfriend he’d ever had, even if I did get looks of doubt and surprise because of it. Like they were all thinking, why the hell would he choose her, of all people?

I ignored them and held tightly to Grey’s warm, strong hand instead. I didn’t know the answer to that myself, really. But he had chosen me. That was all that mattered.

A little while later, Charlie came and found me in the crowd, pulling me away from him. “Sorry, Grey, she’s mine now.”

“Good luck.” He chuckled, dropping my hand for the first time since we’d arrived. Charlie squealed exuberantly, dragging me into the kitchen.

“What’s up?” I laughed, trailing behind her.

“This is up, bitch.” She flipped back her blonde hair and pointed to the centre island, where two shot glasses and a bottle of Crown Royal were sitting.

I smiled excitedly. I had some catching up to do, everyone else seemed pretty loaded already and I wanted to get as wasted as I possibly could.

“Oh, you’re so on. And this time, Charlie, you’re going down.” I threatened, setting down my purse and climbing clumsily up onto the stool, hindered by my dress and heels. Charlie sat down facing me from the other side of the counter, smiling at my challenge.

“Then go.” She dared me. I picked up my shot and swallowed it in one gulp.

“One.” I declared. The whiskey burned all the way down my throat, hitting my empty stomach and spreading lazy, pleasant warmth throughout my body.

“One.” Charlie duplicated, after slamming back her shot.

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