“Neutral!” I called out, laughing when Helms flicked me off, because I’d skipped him.
Honey and Bits glared at me, which made me laugh even harder. That wasn’t their real names, but it was how I kept them apart. They seemed to appreciate the nicknames, since they’d been calling each other those names since I accidentally blurted them out after the last round.
I had been recruited into the game when Bryce had grabbed me and pushed me into the empty chair beside him. It seemed that two others had recently left, after starting their make out session during the game.
Before that, I’d stayed by the water for a while, but moved when it started getting colder out. Mandy and Carter were in the media room, making out. Tray was outside, talking with a group of guys by the kegs. And I’d gone the complete opposite direction when I caught a glimpse of Sasha and Amber, still in their bikinis, sitting on the laps of some guys at a patio table.
“Take that, fuckers!” Bryce hollered, throwing his last card on the pile.
Rooters rolled his eyes and drawled, “You’re neutral, dumb-ass.”
The table immediately quieted, waiting to see what Bryce would do. Guess the elite didn’t get treated that way.
Bryce shrugged and retorted, “Just wait. I’ll be Prez pretty soon and then you’ll be my beer bitch.”
Honey hooted. “Beer bitch, Rooters. That’s you all the time, isn’t it?”
Bit giggled, her eyes wistful as she skimmed over Bryce. “Yeah, beer bitch.”
Bryce fully knew the effect he had on the girl because he winked, grinning smugly at her. Downing the rest of his drink, he turned to me. “How about it, Taryn? Another shot?”
“Right. And give you the chance to drug my drink? I’m not an idiot,” I muttered, standing up. “I’ll get my own drink.”
“I said a shot. Not a drink. There’s a big difference,” Bryce argued back, following me.
“Whatever.” I know. It lacked my usual energy, but really—the guy hadn’t pissed me off enough to get the full force of my attitude. I guess I was still playing with him or maybe just playing along until he crossed the line. Then he’d be filleted.
Pushing through the crowd—it had tripled within the past hour—I half stumbled to the keg with Bryce right behind me. He put his hand on the small of my back for a moment. I don’t know why he took it away, but it was the only thing that saved him because I was already turning around, ready to kick his ass. I looked at him and saw that he wasn’t even looking at me.
Whatever.
I turned back around and saw Tray’s amused eyes; he’d seen the whole thing.
I grinned at him, taking the cup that he was extending to me.
Bryce hollered against my ear, “I need two shots. Pronto!”
“Ah!” I yelled. “Back the fuck up, Bryce!”
Bryce grinned, ignoring me as he reached for the two shots.
Miraculously, I found one in my hand and frowned. Was I—never mind—I’d already shot it.
That one was good.
“Five bucks, right?” I knew that voice.
I grinned dumbly, happy seeing Trent give Tray some money.”
“Trent!” I shouted.
He looked up, took one look at me, and shook his head, grinning. “Fuck, what are you doing here?”
I made my way to him, pushing two people out of the way. “I’m at a party,” I announced stupidly.
Trent sighed.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, moving closer. The music was so loud. Did it have to be that loud?