Page 20 of Behind the Lights

“Hey guys,” Stoli spoke up. “What do you think about entering our band in the talent show?”

“Stoli, we don’t even have a name for our band yet,” I reminded him.

Mickey laughed. “That Stoli story still cracks me up.”

Stoli threw a french fry at him. At one of our band practices I told them the infamous Stoli vodka story and the name stuck with them as it had with me. I tried not to let it slip in front of our folks because as far as I knew, my dad still had no idea what had happened, and I planned on taking that incident to the grave.

“You think the Stoli story’s funny, Diamond?” He raised a brow in challenge.

“I proudly sport this bad boy,” he grabbed his crotch, which was usually hard. Hence the nickname Diamond as inhard enough to cut Diamonds. “What about Socially Distraught?”

“Nah, sounds like we’re in need of therapy,” Stoli argued.

“What about Socially Inept?” Mickey asked.

“That sounds like we sit around licking windows all day.”

They laughed when I pointed out that connection.

“Well, it seems we’re stuck on using some form of the word social here. So how about Social Sinners?” Stoli beamed at his suggestion.

“Cool,” Diamond agreed.

“Yeah.” Mickey liked it too.

“Perfect,” I added.

And so, Social Sinners was born.

When it came time for Econ class, I was a bundle of nerves. Not sure how everyone would react to what happened yesterday. I funneled inside with the rest of the class, the teacher gave me the evil eye, but otherwise ignored me.Whew.

Lucas was there, at one point he casually looked back at me and grinned. My insides began heating and I had to look away and think of something that didn’t include his gorgeous face. Or the tight jeans he wore. Or the lip gloss I wanted to lick off his lips.Fuck, I’m doomed.

I managed to tamper down my teenage hormones and actually focus on what our teacher was saying. After class, I hung back so I could talk to Mr. Reed.

“Something you need, Mr. Hayes?” he said, eyeing me suspiciously as I stood beside his desk.

“Yes, sir. I wanted to apologize for the way I acted yesterday and ask if I missed any homework.” I bit my bottom lip while waiting for his response.

“Read pages thirty-four through fifty on top of what you were given today which is fifty through seventy. There will be a quiz on Friday covering those chapters. See you tomorrow, Mr. Hayes.” He dismissed me without a second look.

“Thank you, sir.” I left. What I didn’t expect was to find Lucas standing in the hall waiting for me.

“Hey,” he said first.

“Hey,” I nervously returned.

“Sorry I got you in trouble yesterday.” He pulled out his tube of lip gloss, applying it without the need of a mirror. I was mesmerized, standing there staring at his lips as he did it.

“You didn’t get me in trouble,” I played it off.

“Hmm, you mean that angry boner you were sportingwasn’tbecause of me?” he flirted in return.

Fuck, he saw that.“Um, I…” I stuttered.

“Dude,” Stoli said as he walked up to us, pulling me from the trance I was in with Lucas present.

“Lucas, this is Stoli. Stoli, Lucas,” I said, managing to make the exchange.

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