Page 20 of Voices

Matt keeps his head in check and only ends up with two penalties. We play like it’s the championship game all over again. And we beat them, again, with a score of five to two.

Chapter Seven

Charlie

I’m in my art room, covered with paint when there’s a knock at my door. Only five people know where I live, and one of them has keys. When I don’t get up after the second round of knocks, Katy Perry takes over the Slipknot song that was playing on my phone.

Ugh, why doesn’t she just unlock the door and come in? She knows I’m here. Where else would I be on a Friday night?

Getting up, I ignore her call and walk to the door. She’s smiling like a psycho when I open it. Rolling my eyes, I attempt to close the door, but she sticks a red spiked Louboutin boot out before it closes. As she lets herself in, I notice she’s dressed up more than usual.

She’s in a red lace Dolce and Gabbana corset paired with skintight black skinny jeans. Her hair is in a slicked-back ponytail with her curls in a mountain on top of her head, and her makeup is perfectly done in a minimalist look. If I weren’t gay, I’m sure I’d be drooling right now at how gorgeous she is.

“You like?” She puts her hands on her hips while tilting her head to the right and kicking her left leg back in a cute pose.

“You know I do. You look beautiful. Hot date?” I smile, envious of her confidence to just be herself.

“Nope. Well, sort of. I’m going to that party the sororities and fraternities throw before the hockey and football seasons start. And I’m meeting up with a few girlfriends who are setting me up with a guy from one of the frats.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal to be around a bunch of people she doesn’t know.

“Well, have fun and be safe. Make sure he wraps it before he uses it.” I turn and head back to the painting I was working on.

“Not so fast, Jax.” She grabs my shoulder and spins me to face her. “Why don’t you come with me? And before you say no, Noah will be there, and he’s planning on staying in the backyard. They’re having a bonfire, plus the yard is huge. Please?” She begs with her bottom lip sticking out and her hands clasped together under her chin.

I don’t like being social. I don’t like people. And I definitely don’t like small talk.

I bite my lip trying to come up with an excuse.

“Come on. It’ll help take your mind off Sunday for a bit. They have all the good drinks, and that one guy that sells the good-smelling weed will be there.” She gives me a sly smile and pumps her eyebrows.

I am getting low on weed and liquor. And even though Sunday is my twenty-first birthday, I know I won’t be leaving my room anytime soon. Maybe I can smuggle a few bottles from the party to have here to help Sunday pass. But is it worth being near all those people?

Fuck it.

“Fine but I’ll need to pregame before we get there. Do you have your flask on you?” I point to her red clutch.

“Yay!” She jumps up and down clapping her hands like this is the most exciting thing ever. She opens her clutch and hands me her pink flax.

I open it, not caring what she has in here and drink. It’s Patrón, her go-to for making mixed drinks. It burns going down, but I don’t stop until her hand is on mine and lowers it.

“Easy party animal. I still need some of that for when they run out.” She winks at me as she stuffs it back in her bag.

I can feel it working its magic already thanks to not eating anything since yesterday. It feels good.

“Go get in the shower while I pick out your clothes so we can head out.” She blows me a kiss and disappears into my room.

“Long sleeves or a hoodie,” I yell before closing the bathroom door.

I make quick work of washing my hair while scrubbing the paint from my skin. There are still bits of black paint on my hands when I get out, but I don’t care enough to scrub them again.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I step into my room to see Lily sitting at my desk chair swinging side to side, playing on her phone. She looks up as I walk in.

“Better?”

“Yeah.” I nod and walk to my bed, looking over at what she picked out. My favorite black Motionless in White hoodie, ripped black skinny jeans, and my black combat boots are laid out. And this is why she’s my best friend.

“Thanks, Lily. I’ll be out in a sec.” She nods and heads for my door, closing it behind her.

I let out a long exhale. Why do I always let her sucker me into leaving my house?

---