Page 3 of Third and Ten

We’re interrupted by a horn as Tessa’s car pulls up, and we climb into the back seat, kicking a couple of liquor bottles around the floorboards as we get settled.

“Where to, ladies?” my sister asks condescendingly from the passenger seat. Some guy I’ve never seen before is driving, and I cast an uneasy glance at Loren. She mirrors my concern.

“Home, please,” I reply.

“Aw, did the party get too out of hand for my sweet little angels?” she teases again.

“Sure. Let’s go with that.”

“Someone’s a little sassy,” our driver remarks in an amused tone.

“Ryan’s right. Sounds like you could use a drink,” Tessa adds, lifting the bottle she’s holding and shoving it under my nose.

“We’re fine, thanks,” I grind out.

“How about you, Lo-Lo? Or are you too green for a sip of the hard stuff?”

Loren scowls. “Who you calling green, Tess?”

Tessa’s hand flies to her chest in mock surprise. “Then I guess you aren’t as innocent as you pretend to be, either? What, did the two of you play a sexy game of Spin the Bottle?” She turns back to me. “I imagine you’ve gotten a few propositions by now with that rack of yours. Kiss any boys tonight?”

I look away in annoyance, but Loren tilts her chin up daringly and responds. “What if we did?”

I’m not sure whether she’s only standing up for herself or admitting to making out with Blake Bourgeois in the pool house, but I wouldn’t put either of those past her.

My sister and her boy toy laugh loudly, only further upsetting Loren. Then Tessa thrusts the bottle at her again. “You two badasses should be able to handle a small swig, then.”

“Get it out of her face, Tessa,” I order.

Loren’s gaze holds firm as my sister stares her down.

“Oh, wait, I forgot. Your mom drinks enough for all of us, right?” Tessa starts, snickering to herself as we drive up to the house. Loren ignores her, and we bolt from the car as soon as it stops.

“I’m sorry,” I repeat as we walk inside, and Lo squeezes my arm again.

“Oh, hey, girls,” my mom greets us from the living room. She sounds happy to see us, but I know she’s just putting on a brave face after everything I learned this morning.

“Back so soon? I thought you two had a sleepover,” my dad says, his voice slurred. He looks tired, most likely because of the new medications. My mom explained earlier that his treatments would probably make him seem worse before they made him better.

“It was a boy-girl party,” Mom corrects him. “Their first, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right,” he replies, forcing a smirk. “So, how was it? Any special slow dances or…” He clutches his throat and tries to disguise his coughing, and my mom hands him a glass of water. “Did you have a good time?” he rasps after a few sips, but I can tell he’s still in pain.

“Yes, sir,” Loren answers, then glances at me. She knows something’s up.

“We did,” I add with a sigh.

I hate the way this feels. I’ve always shared everything with Loren, but it’s all so awkward now that I’m apologizing for my sister and keeping my parents’ secrets.

“Yeah, so, good night,” I call out before turning and ushering Loren to my bedroom.

“Hey, is your dad okay?” she asks as soon as we’re alone. “He seems…off.”

I look away, preparing myself to deliver another lie. “He’s fine.”

“Hmm. It sounded like he was drunk or something,” she reflects as she sits on the edge of my bed.

“Well, he’s not,” I say and turn my back to her.

---