I know that Stella and I are just friends, I don’t think it’s wise to bring up her name with Lily, especially since Lily’s insecurities about my relationship with Stella was what catapulted her toward Trenton in the first place.
Little: No fun. Jess and I are watching a show with hot vampires.
Me: Do they sparkle in the sunlight?
Little: LOL. No, not those kind.
Me: Well, would you rather have diamond-sparkling vampires or non-sparkling ones?
Little: Easy. Sparkly. Everything is better with a little glimmer.
Me: Everything?
Little: Yes.
Me: Would you rather eat a sparkly burrito or a non-sparkly one?
Little: Ha-ha. Okay, so not everything is better with sparkles. Mexican food should definitely be placed in the no-sparkle category.
Me: Along with mostly everything else.
Little: Hush. ;-)
I look up to see Stella making her way across the room toward our table. She waves. I smile at her before my focus falls back to my phone.
Me: Hey, gotta go.
Little: Okay. Miss you.
Me: Miss you more.
Little: Bye.
Me: Bye.
I’m going to a Halloween party tonight. It will be the first time I’ve gone out since school started back up in August. This semester has been just as intense as I knew it would be. It’s okay though. I’m nine football games closer to being done. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that in itself requires a celebration.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I look like a dumbass. I finally relented at the last minute to go to this party, and costumes are mandatory. Ben gave me this idea, and it was easy enough, but I’m not digging it. I should just go as myself.
What does mandatory really mean at a frat party? There’s no fucking costume police. Whatever.
After several drinks, I’m not going to care anyway.
“Sexy!” Josh raises his hand and starts punching his fist in the air with an accompanied whooping sound.
I laugh. “Whatever, dude. Blame it on Ben.” It was his idea to wrap a sheet around me and call it a toga.
“You can tell the chicks you’re a Roman sex god,” Josh jokes.
“Yeah, I’ll do that.”
“Do I sense sarcasm?” He chuckles.
I quirk up an eyebrow. “Are you wearing a horse?”
“Why, yes, I am.” Josh is standing inside this inflatable contraption that makes him look like he’s riding a horse. There’s an air-filled horse’s head in front of him and a horse’s ass behind him.
“So, I’m guessing you’re going for the opposite of sexy?”
“Chicks dig funny,” is his response.
Ben walks into the living room, wearing one of my jerseys.
“Seriously?” I question.
“What?” He smirks. “I’m you.”
“You’re an idiot.” I shake my head, chuckling.
“I want to see what it’s like to be the famous Jax Porter. Women will be throwing themselves at me.”
Jerome walks in, dressed as a hippie. His costume includes a bright pair of bell-bottoms, a flowered button-up shirt, lots of colorful beaded necklaces, and a black Afro wig. “It’s going to take a lot more than a jersey to make that happen, Ben,” he says bluntly.
There is a soft knock on the door before it opens, and Stella walks in. She is wearing a tight white dress with red horizontal stripes that ends a few inches above her knees. She has on shiny red boots that come up past her calves. Her dark hair is in low side pigtails, and she is sporting chunky black glasses.
“Where’s Waldo?” she jokes as she walks in.
“I don’t know, but his hot-ass sister just showed up,” Josh says.
I have to agree with him. Stella looks amazing.
“Aw, thanks, Josh. You look gorgeous, too—all cute and cowboy.”
“Well, now, we know she’s lying.” Jerome laughs under his breath. “Let’s go, guys.”
“Can’t find them?” I yell over the music.
Stella shakes her head. “No. They’re not answering their phones, but they should have been here by now.” She bites her lip, her eyes continuing to scan the crowded space.
“Well, they’ll find you eventually.”
Jaime and Dena, Stella’s girlfriends, are supposed to be meeting her here.
She positions her lips next to my ear, so she doesn’t have to yell. “I’m not too worried. If they don’t show, it won’t be the end of the world. I have you guys.” She leans back, a smile lurking at the corners of her mouth.
I return her smile with one of my own before tipping back my cup and finishing the rest of my beer. On the far side of the room, I spot an inflatable horse’s ass squashed against the floor. I edge to the side to get a better view, and