him and he grins, pulling out a bottle of tequila.
“Looks like we didn’t really need this,” I say, motioning to all the people around us who are clearly already wasted.
“Dude, no, you’re a god.” He twists the bottle open and takes a swig, wiping his mouth with his hand.
“You’re just drinking it straight?” I ask, wrinkling my nose in distaste.
“Believe me, I need this right now.” He takes another quick swig and holds the bottle out to me. I set down the box.
“No thanks.” I don’t want my head to be too clouded, especially by something like tequila, which Ava has always said “makes her clothes fall off.” “Hey, have you seen Andrew?”
Chase nods behind him. “He’s with the lady of the house.”
I look to where he’s motioned and that’s when I see them. Andrew is sitting on the couch in the TV room, Danielle perched on his lap. His hand is resting lightly on the thin strip of exposed skin between her shirt and her jean shorts.
“They look cozy,” I say.
“They’ve been on top of each other all night,” Chase says. “He’s like her tumor.” He takes another sip of tequila. Before I know what I’m doing, my hand reaches out and grasps the edge of the bottle.
“Can I have some of that actually? I changed my mind.”
“Be my guest.” He gives it to me. I pour it into a cup with a little margarita mix and then wince as I bring it to my lips. “It’s not poison,” Chase says.
“Actually, it sort of is.” I take a sip, expecting to shudder in disgust like I did with the whiskey, but it’s surprisingly good. Dangerously good. I suddenly understand why people sing upbeat, beachy songs about margaritas. I know I’m going to have to drink it really slowly or it will hit me fast.
I glance back and see Andrew tucking a lock of hair behind Danielle’s ear and something clenches in my gut. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. My gut was perfectly fine before the stupid Plan.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” I turn to Chase suddenly. If there’s ever going to be a time to get information out of him, it’s now, when we’re on the same side.
“Yeah, Collins, shoot,” he says. “You’ve seen me ass naked, so at this point what’s left to hide?”
“Did you write the notes?”
“What notes?”
I shake my head. “I mean that thing on the wall of the lounge. About Danielle.”
“Fuck no,” Chase says, and I believe him. “I would never be a dick like that.”
“Okay, but then why did you tell everyone you slept with her?” I take another sip of my drink and feel the heat of it spreading down my chest, making me more confident. I don’t know if maybe I’ve crossed a line and he’ll get mad, but at this point, I don’t really care anymore. Surprisingly, he just shrugs.
“I fucked up,” he says. “I shouldn’t have told Ryder. I’ve known the kid since kindergarten and I know he has a big mouth. But he’s my best friend. When you finally get with the girl you like, aren’t you allowed to tell your best friend?”
I think about all the personal things I’ve ever told Hannah, how upset I was learning that Andrew hooked up with Danielle and didn’t tell me. How can I be mad at Chase for spilling a secret he was excited about when it’s something we all do?
“You like her?” I glance over to the couch where she and Andrew are sitting. Of course he does.
“It’s too late now,” he says, following my gaze. “I blew it.”
“Ryder blew it,” I say. “You’re right—she can’t fault you for telling somebody. You’re not the one who told the whole school. Why didn’t you say something to him?”
“To Ryder? We’re in the final sprint of high school. Just ride it out, Collins.” He clinks his tequila bottle against my cup. “After next week, we’ll never have to see any of these people ever again.” Then he smiles and walk away,