Page 64 of Triple Play
Then Grant pushes past me. Rough. Deliberate.
I watch him go. Watch that rigid spine, those tense shoulders.
He’s going to lose his mind at this party.
Perfect.
Friday comes fast.
By ten PM, the house is packed. Music thumping. People everywhere. The hockey team showed up in force. Some sorority girls Wyatt knows. ]
I’m in my element. Moving through rooms. Making sure drinks are full. Music’s good. Everyone’s having a good time.
But I’m watching for one person.
Elise walks through the door in jeans and a black top that should be illegal. Hair down in waves. Minimal makeup. She looks nervous.
I push through the crowd to get to her.
“You came.” I have to shout over the music.
“I said I would.”
“Yeah, but I thought you might bail.”
“I considered hiding out at the library.”
“But you didn’t.”
“But I didn’t.”
She’s scanning the crowd. Looking for someone. Grant, probably.
“He’s not here,” I say.
Her eyes snap to mine. “What?”
“Grant. He’s at the rink. Said he had stuff to work on.” Liar. He’s avoiding this party specifically because she’s here. “So you’re stuck with me.”
Something shifts in her expression. Relief maybe. Or disappointment. Can’t tell which.
“Come on.” I take her hand. Lead her through the crowd. “Let me get you a drink.”
We end up in the kitchen which is less packed and therefor, slightly quieter.
I make her something a vodka drink with juice and soda and just enough alcohol to take the edge off.
“Thanks.” She takes a sip. “This is actually good.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“You have hidden talents.”
“I have lots of talents. I keep telling you this.”
She laughs. It’s small but real. Progress.
We stand there talking. She tells me about her anatomy professor who’s brilliant but terrifying. I tell her about my pre-law class that’s putting me to sleep.
