Page 5 of Cross-Check

“No, you keep your plans. I won’t be alone, and before you say anything, don’t worry. I will be smart. I don’t need you two chaperoning. I am a legal adult now,” I tell her.

She rolls her eyes. “Yes, but you will always be Clay’s little sister in his eyes. He is going to be pissed that I didn’t tell him about this. He would want to be there.”

“So he can be a buzzkill? No thanks. You don’t want to lie to him, though. If he asks, tell him where I’m going to be, but I also want you to tell him to think about his actions. If he embarrasses me, I still have that picture of him standing naked and peeing into the snow that I have no problem sharing all over social media.”

Grace laughs. “All right. Point taken. I will tell him to mind his business. You call if you need a ride, though. We will come get you no matter what.”

“I’m not interrupting date night.” I give her a look.

“We will be sitting at the house binge-watching a new show. You will call if you need us or we will be at the party. Compromise, Cora.”

I hate when she gets that mom tone. I know it’s because she cares, but sometimes I wish she was my friend more than Clay’s girlfriend.

“Fine.”

My phone pings with an alert from the girls.

“They are getting ready downstairs. I’m going to go hang out with them for a bit. Thank you both for helping me move in and being here for me. I love you guys.”

“Anytime. I should get going too. Clay will be out of practice soon. I have his car, you need a ride, Peyton?”

She shakes her head. “I have a ride. Thanks, though.”

Grace heads out the door first, but Peyton grabs my arm, stopping me. “I get it. If you need a ride, call me. I can find you a ride,” she whispers to me.

I peck her on the cheek. “You’re the best, Peyton. Have fun at work.”

Her laughter follows me down the hall. I’m so happy I decided to room with Peyton.

This is going to be one hell of a year.

* * *

I don’t even know why I’m here.

Looking around at all the people milling about as they drink, I wonder how my life became this.

In high school, I was the life of the party. If I didn’t have a group of guys hanging on my every word, then I had a girl on my arm. I never spent any time alone.

Not anymore.

Now I’m sitting in a chair in the backyard of some shitty football party after one of the incoming freshmen on the hockey team begged me to come with him.

I look over to him now, making out with some girl against the fence. I shake my head.

Calvin needs to find better things to do.

As soon as the thought hits me, I feel guilty.

Last year, I was Calvin. I would be shitfaced with my tongue down my girlfriend’s throat while I ignored everyone around me. I would abandon my friends to do it too. Man, I was such a shitty person last year.

Now I’m sitting here, nursing a beer and judging all the people around me. My, how the mighty have fallen.

I should leave. There’s nothing for me here anymore.

Standing, I consider telling Calvin goodbye, but then I see his hand down the girl’s pants and decide it’s best I just go. Besides, we walked. He can find his own way home.

I chug the rest of my beer and toss the cup in the trash by the back door.

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