Page 9 of Owen Gardner is Losing It

Jake wriggled from my grasp, pushing me away. “We’ll see how the night goes,” he said, heading for the door. "See you later.”

"You’re such a-” I started, but Jake had already closed my bedroom door behind him. Alone in my room, I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Just then, my phone chimed with a new text message. I pulled it from my pocket and held it above my face–it was a photo message from Beth showing a six-pack of Smirnoff Ice and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

Beth:If you’re nice, I might share. ??

Biting down on my bottom lip, I sat up and read her message again and again. Could this actually happen tonight? Was I really capable of pulling an older girl like Beth? Doubt nagged at me, but then again, I knew Xander wouldn’t let me back out of this. He’d push me, just like he always did. But maybe that was what I needed–a little push in the right direction.

I stood up and opened my dresser drawer, pocketing a single condom before taking a deep breath. Glancing around my room, I thought to myself,Next time I’m in here, I won’t be a virgin anymore.

…Maybe.

I started typing a reply to Beth, alluding to the fact I could show her just how “nice” I could be, when she sent a follow-up text asking for the address for the party.

I took it as a sign I was pushing my luck with the cheesy pick-up lines, so I deleted what I’d typed and started over entirely.

Owen:618 Ferndale Rd. Log cabin at the end of a long driveway. Can’t wait ??

Chapter five

“If I Had Eyes” – Jack Johnson

Xander’s grandparents lived in a log A-frame cabin at the end of a long, winding driveway. Concealed by trees, it was the perfect place for a bunch of minors to throw a party. The only other houses on this rural lane were Xander’s and Abigail’s.

“Aren’t you guys a little worried your parents are going to question all the cars coming this way?” I asked when I arrived. Xander was tapping a keg in the kitchen, and Abigail was seated nearby on the couch, assembling the perfect playlist for the party. Next to her feet on the rustic wooden coffee table sat her iHome speaker, and she’d already proclaimed herself as the official party DJ.

“No,” Xander said without looking up, his focus on securing the tap. He twisted it with ease, locking it into place. “My parents couldn’t care less. They’re usually too wrapped up in their own shit to notice what I’m doing. Dad’s probably already at the bottom of another bottle and my mom’s just… well, she’ll just be trying to stay out of his way.” Xander cleared his throat and looked up from the keg, his usual smirk returning. “Anyway, I’m not worried. I’m just going to enjoy the party.”

I glanced at Abigail, who gave me a small, understanding smile before looking back down at her phone. “Well, my mom and dad will probably say ‘that Pierce boy down the road is up to something again’ but they don’t know I’m here, so they won’t be that concerned. Hey, how many Coldplay songs should I put on the playlist?”

“Zero,” Xander said at the same time I asked, “How many you got?”

She giggled. “I’ll stick to ‘Viva La Vida.’ That’ll get the people hyped up.”

Xander wiped his hands on a gingham dish towel before moving onto the second keg. “Or make them go home.”

“You take that back,” Abigail warned, and she and Xander exchanged a flirtatious smile.

With no knowledge of how to tap a keg, I paced around the room, glancing at the loft up above. Abigail followed my gaze. “Xander. Remember when your grandma almost caught us kissing up there in the loft when we were nine?”

“Yep.” Xander filled up a red plastic cup and gave me a nod, indicating it was for me. “Remember the tire swing?”

“Oh, God.” Abigail covered her cheeks. “What about your grandpa’s woodworking shed?”

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, taking the beer from Xander. “You guys were making out twenty-four-seven while I was at home playing with little plastic dinosaurs.”

“It’s okay to be a late bloomer, bud.”

I swallowed a sip of beer. “Yeah, I don’t think I was the one who bloomed at the inappropriate time, but okay.” I shot them a half-smile to let them know I was teasing.

“Says the virgin.” Surprisingly, that jab came from Abigail, who threw her head back and laughed at the look I gave her. “I’m just kidding, Owen. And that’s all changing tonight. Speaking of which—did you bring a condom?”

“Indeed, I did. Thank you for your concern about my protection.”

“I mean, you can’t go knocking girls up if you want to go to Purdue.”

“What’s your strategy?” Xander asked.

“For what?”

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