whatever it is that this Ethan guy says he hasn’t done, and I don’t want to know. I don’t have any desire to see who’s done it and who hasn’t. Despite never having heard the term before, I think I can figure out what it means, and my brain just can’t handle that.
The game proceeds, going around from person to person, each never have I ever is some version of where or how the speaker hasn’t had sex. I don’t miss that Quinn drinks a few times but not for any of the truly vulgar ones. I hope no one catches on that I haven’t drunk once.
Honestly, it doesn’t bother me that I haven’t had sex yet. I’m eighteen, not forty. I have time. It’s not like I’m against it or saving myself for marriage. Finding someone to hook up with in high school wasn’t a priority.
Although I haven’t drunk once during the game thus far, the room is starting to wobble around me, and my head is getting fuzzy. So much for my Hawaiian Punch hypothesis. There’s definitely alcohol in this cup.
My mind clears when Leo’s voice breaks through my senses.
“Never have I ever sat at a frat party and played a game about sex when I’ve yet to have it.”
Lifting my face, I zero in on Leo. Unsurprisingly, he’s staring right at me.
“What?” he says to the group, though his gaze is on me. “No one’s drinking. No virgins in this room?”
A few people snicker—at me or just in response to Leo, I’m not sure, and I don’t care. I’m over this party.
I lean in toward Quinn. “I don’t feel the best. I think I’m going to go,” I whisper before standing and walking out of the room as fast as I can.
Quinn calls after me, “Wait, Alma.”
Once I’m out of the game room, I stop my retreat and turn to face Quinn.
“I’ll come with you,” she says. “I don’t want you walking home by yourself.”
“Do you want to go?” I ask her.
She wears a slight frown. “Sure, I guess. I was having fun. But we’re a team, right? I’m not letting you leave to walk back by yourself.”
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “Just three blocks. You shouldn’t have to end your night early because of me. Come back with Gabby and Bethany later. I’ve never really been drunk before, and whatever is in that punch isn’t sitting right with me. I just need to go to bed, I think.” I press my lips together in a grin.
Her eyes widen in response. “Well, if you’re feeling sick, I’m absolutely not letting you walk home by yourself. No way. It’s fine, Alma. There will be other parties.”
“I’ll walk her home.” His voice comes out of nowhere.
Quinn and I both whip around to look at Leo.
“What?” I shriek.
“I’ll walk you home. I was getting ready to leave anyway.” He takes another step toward me.
“No,” I protest. “I’m fine. I don’t need you to walk me.”
Quinn places her hand on Leo’s forearm. “I’ll go with her. Thanks anyway though.”
Leo’s eyes dart from me to Quinn. “What’s the issue? I know you don’t want to leave,” he says to Quinn. “Your groupies back there, Bethany and Gabby, are practically crying over your departure. Just go back and have fun. I’m heading out anyway. I don’t understand what the problem is. I said I’d take her. I’m not going to touch her.” He says the last sentence like the idea is almost repulsive.
“Whatever. I don’t care,” I grumble.
“You’re okay with him walking you back? Are you sure? I promise I don’t mind,” she says to me.
I plaster the most reassuring smile I can muster. “It’s fine. Go have fun. Just please be safe and come back with the girls.”
“Okay, I will.” She pulls me into a hug. “I’ll see you later.” Before I can respond, she’s skipping back to the game room and most likely the sex drinking game, which Leo so eloquently pointed out I had no reason to be playing.
Without giving a second of attention to Leo, I turn and walk out of the fraternity house as fast as my unsteady legs will carry me.
FIVE
Alma
“It’s like watching a baby deer walk for the first time.” Leo laughs behind me as I stomp off across the fraternity lawn.
“What?” I halt.
“You. You’re all wobbly and stuff. Let me guess. You’re the token sheltered girl from a small Midwestern town. You’ve never been touched by a dude, and tonight was your first taste of