Surge - Maya Nicole Page 0,74

weeks. Guilt welled in my belly but I pushed it away. My mom would want me to enjoy my birthday.

"Open them!"

It was perfect. They had moved the kitchen table out and made one giant table with the patio set. There were candles running the length of the table. Strung along the fence and across the space between the house and the fence were lights that made the area seem like something out of a fairytale.

A table along the side of the house held tins filled with iced drinks, snacks, and a small pile of presents.

"This is perfect." I bit my lip to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Let's get this party started!" Ivy put on some music before pouring Sprite into a cup and adding rum. "A drink for the birthday girl."

I took a sip and couldn't taste the alcohol at all. I'd probably drink too much if I wasn't careful.

As friends arrived, I was tempted to check my phone. I had invited the yearbook staff since we worked so closely all the time. I hoped Ashley didn't show up, but if she did and was a bitch, Ivy said she'd kick her ass to the curb.

We sat down at the table to eat. I glanced down at my phone. I don't know why I cared, but I had expected them to say happy birthday.

"Stop it." Ivy put another cup in front of me. "They aren't doing a good job of redeeming themselves."

Ivy hadn't said much when I told her about dinner with Morgan and what happened with Jax. I couldn't tell her it was something else that was probably making me want them. She'd think I was crazy.

Aiden stood and made a noise to imitate clinking glasses. I rolled my eyes and took a big gulp of my drink, knowing he was going to embarrass me.

"I know this isn't a wedding, but I feel like turning eighteen requires a speech." He cleared his throat and held his cup in his hand. "Riley, you are the best friend a guy could ask for. If I was into the vag, you'd totally be my woman." Everyone laughed. "Don't ever change, because you are something special."

I sniffled and everyone touched their cups together. He was right, I was special, but change came as we grew and had more experiences. I just hoped the changes I was going through didn't ruin my life.

I'd had alcohol before, but after three cups of Ivy's concoction, I felt great. After we ate, had cake, and opened presents, games were brought out. I was a big fan of intoxicated Cards Against Humanity. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard.

My phone rang and Aiden picked it up off the table. "I'll get it, sweetie. You just keep drinking." His speech was slurred slightly. "Hello, this is Riley's sexy secretary. How can I be of service?"

I practically fell out of the chair, and I would have if Ivy wasn't sitting right next to me. I put my head on her shoulder.

"Oh, bitch, we've been looking everywhere for you!" Aiden stood quickly, sending his chair toppling back.

My brain took a minute to process, but then I jumped up and grabbed the phone from his hand. "Mom?"

I walked into the house and shut the sliding door behind me, shutting out the noise of the party.

"Riley." Her voice was barely audible. "Happy birthday, sweetie."

The alcohol running through me made me unable to stop the sob that came from my throat. "Mom, where are you?"

There was some shuffling on the other end of her phone and I hoped she wasn't about to hang up. "I'm with your father."

The room felt like it was spinning. I had somehow made it to the living room and gripped onto the back of the couch. "You left me! I have no money! They took my car!"

Anger surged inside me and I wanted to break something. I should have known drinking given my emotional state was a bad idea. I had been on the edge of snapping for weeks, but her being with my father was my tipping point.

"I'm sorry. I didn't have a choice. Did you find my letter?"

I wiped at my eyes and sat on the arm of the couch. "Yes. Are we part siren? Why are you with Dad? When are you coming home?"

I could barely understand my words through my tears and my slurred speech. There was a moment of silence.

"I can't come home. Not yet. Are you safe? Did you get