‘Didn’t fool us.’
Robbie and Gabe are cussing as I have an idea. I’m pretty sure one of the plantation drivers took them to wherever they’re going, and I hope it’s Chris. I call down to the hotel and ask for him. The receptionist tells me he is out but will give him the message to call me. I run downstairs and change while waiting for his call. When I get back upstairs Robbie, Brian, Finn and Tripp are waiting for me.
“What do we do now?” Tripp asks not hiding his amusement.
“We hope Chris was their driver. He’ll call me back and take us to them. If not, I will personally go to the hotel and ask every driver who took them and then we leave.”
The other guys walk in and the phone rings. Chris tells me he didn’t pick them up, but he’ll ask around and come get us.
We pile into the van, and Chris tells us he couldn’t find out where they were dropped off. He has an idea of a few places in town we can search. I know we have found them when Tripp comes out of the bar smiling like an idiot.
“You guys won’t believe this. The girls are in there, and they’re shitfaced. The bouncer said they’ve been drinking the signature punch and a lot of it.”
“Let’s go.” I jump out of the van, and the rest of the guys follow. Stacks of plastic cups line the table where Ella and Harper are sitting. The rest of the girls are on the dance floor. Instead of walking up to them, we all stand back against the wall and watch them dance for a few minutes.
Raven has a sash across her body that reads ‘bride to be’ and some sort of necklace that is glowing. She looks up, and when her eyes lock onto mine she smiles widely. I push off the wall and go to her. Abbi jumps into Jimi’s arms, and I cringe. I’m starting to see why Robbie always threatens me around Raven.
We pull several more tables together to fit all of us. A waitress brings the girls another round of that punch shit, and I order a beer. I take a seat and pat my leg for Raven to sit with me. When she lands on me, I can smell the liquor from her drink.
“Careful babe, you’re gonna feel lik
e shit tomorrow.”
“I know but these are soooo good. Try it.” She points her straw at me, and I almost drink from it when I see what it is.
“Is that a dick?”
“Well, not a real one. It’s a straw shaped like a penis. The girls picked up some party items for tonight.”
“They make straws shaped like cocks?” I ask in disbelief and take a sip of the drink for the side of the cup.
“Yes! And all sorts of other things too. Harper liked these best.”
“While I find that disturbing and hot at the same time, let’s talk about the stunt you pulled tonight.”
“Nothing to talk about. You think I didn’t see right through you and Robbie. I don’t like to think about his love life, but it’s obvious he’s crazy about Ember. And we all know how possessive you are of me. When y’all didn’t argue about us coming out, I knew something was up.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t smart coming out in a strange town without a cell phone. What would you do if anything happened?”
“Honey, we had a cell phone. Harper snatched Gabe’s when he hugged her goodbye.”
I can’t help but laugh. We were played. “You know it took me over an hour to find you. I think you may need to make that up to me later.” I kiss her neck softly and watch goose bumps rise and her arms.
“Put me down! No, Gabe, I’m serious!” Harper’s yells break me away from Raven’s neck. Gabe has her thrown over his shoulder and is stalking towards a back hall and bathrooms, I assume.
“I guess he found out she stole his phone. Maybe I should go back there.” She starts to get out of my lap, but I hold her in place.
“Nah, I think they can work this out. You’re fine right where you are.”
“Are you sucking on a dick?” Cooper asks Kendall across the table.
“Technically it’s a straw.” she slurs back.
The look on his face is priceless. Raven and the other girls burst into laughter, and she shakes against me.
“Fuck, that’s hot.”
The girls look at each other and raise their drinks to their mouths. Robbie’s face is so red I’m worried he may have a stroke. When Raven’s drink is close to her lips, I snatch the straw and throw it across the table.