I see Josh on his knees, bonging a beer down a long plastic tube. Jerome is standing, holding the tube up to assist Josh in the speedy consumption.
“Well, you have me anyway,” I say more to myself than Stella, thinking that the guys are going to be slurring idiots before the night is over.
“What?” she questions in a raised voice.
I shake my head. “Nothing.” I motion toward the keg. “Do you want another beer?”
“Yeah, sure!”
I start weaving my way through Lady Gaga, Neil Armstrong, several zombies, and a few slutty nurses to get to the keg.
“Wait up!” Stella shouts from behind me.
I stop and turn toward her.
She reaches out and grabs my hand in hers. “Okay! Go ahead. There are so many people here. I was almost attacked by a zombie.”
I chuckle. “You’re lucky you didn’t get bitten.”
“I know, right? You’d have had to stab me in the brain before I turned.” Her mouth breaks into a smile. “It’s best if we stay together.”
“Agreed. Come on.” I pull her hand behind me until we are in the small clearing around the keg.
The party has started to clear out some. Enough people have left that there is space in the large main room to move, which is where Ben, Josh, a couple of random chicks, Stella, and I are dancing right now.
“Stell!” Dena screeches, pulling their friend Jaime behind her.
I’m surprised they’re here. Better late than never, I guess.
They pull Stella into an embrace, and the three of them giggle and sway to the music. I catch something about a hot guy, another frat party, and kissing.
The keg ran out half an hour ago, which is a good thing. I don’t think any of us need any more to drink, especially Stella’s friends. Their speech is barely recognizable with the slur of their words.
I’ve only consumed this much alcohol one other time this semester. I got pretty drunk the Sunday after Lily’s last visit. She came to Ann Arbor a few weeks ago. Her roommates crashed with us, but she stayed with her boyfriend. The asshole kept her away from me all weekend, not that I could really blame him. I would have done the same thing in his situation. But it sucked, having Lily here and not being able to see her.
Two more months, and I’ll get her back.
Two fucking months.
“Hey, I’ll be back!” I yell to my group of friends.
I make my retreat to an area away from the pounding speakers. Toward the back of the house, I find what appears to be a game room. It is empty, except for the couple getting hot and heavy in the corner of the room. They don’t even notice me. I plop down on the leather sofa, reach under the sheet draped around me, and find my phone in the pocket of my shorts.
I have a missed text from Lily.
Little: Hey! Any fun plans tonight?
I write her back.
Me: Hey. I’m at a frat party. What about you?
I sit for a minute, resting my head on the back of the couch, until my phone buzzes in my hand.
Little: We went to a party, too! We’re eating at Coney Island now.
Me: Chili-cheese fries?
Little: You know it! Did you dress up?
Me: Yeah, I wore a toga—aka my bedsheet. Feeling real cool. What about you?
Little: Oh, send me a pic! I’m an angel. Tabs is a devil. Jess is Tori Amos. Molls is a cat.
Me: Awesome. Send me a pic.
I scroll through my camera roll and get the picture that Stella took of us four guys before we left the apartment, and I send it to Lily. Her picture comes through, and I just stare at her. She is the sexiest, most beautiful angel I’ve ever seen.
Me: You look amazing.
Little: You look cute. OMG, Josh is hilarious. I’m digging J’s Afro, and I laughed the hardest at Ben.
Me: I know. He’s lame.
“Hey, there you are.” Stella finds me in the room. “We’re going to go grab some food. You ready?”
“Definitely. I’m starving.”
Me: Hey, Little Love, gotta run. Get home safe.
Little: Okay. Miss you.
Me: Miss you more.
It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m going to see Lily tonight. I’m so ready.
I have one more game left of my college career. One bowl game, and I can close the door on football. The semester from hell is finished, too. Twelve easy credits stand between graduation and me. The four classes I have yet to take will be nothing compared to the class loads I’ve had.