That conversation alone had me nearly begging Larson to get me to that party.
The four of us climbed into Bear’s truck. It was Friday night, one of our last free Friday nights before the season was in full swing. Next week would be our first game, meaning my mom would be in town for the weekend.
I missed going home most weekends to visit her, but with my schedule, I couldn’t make it back as much. Usually, I’d feel guilty over the idea of my mom spending so much time alone, but she recently admitted she was seeing someone.
She refused to tell me any other details but by the wayshe brightened on the Face Time call and freaking giggled... I knew she was happy, which, in turn, made me happy. My mom deserved the world. Every bit of happiness the universe had to offer, she deserved it. It at least owed her that much after all the crap she’d dealt with.
All too soon, Bear’s truck pulled up to a frat house. A thousand cars surrounded the place. Music blared from the open windows. Couples stood together in the shadows of the front lawn and a few crowds of students socialized along the porch.
Bear pulled his keys from the ignition as Larson spun in the passenger seat to look back at Noah and me.
“Okay gentlemen, as your captain, I’ll remind you to not drink too much. Don’t stay out too late and don’t be stupid. We have early practice tomorrow morning. Now as your roommate and friend, get shit faced. Bear is DD and send all the hot brunettes my way.” Without another word, he was out of the truck, strutting up the small steps of the porch into the house.
Bear grumbled as he rolled out of his seat with Noah and I in tow as we approached the chaotic mess of people.
An unexpected weight of memory hit me as I entered the throng. The last house party I attended Liam had been by my side. Back then, I didn’t stalk in behind my teammates, dreading the crowds and boisterous music. I had swaggered in by my best friend, confidently joining the party, ready and excited for a night of stupid fun.
What I would give to be back in that moment right now. To see my best bud flirting with a random girl in a corner. Watch him dance with no rhythm at the core of the party or dominate in a quick game of beer pong.
“You want a drink?” Williams asked me over the blaring music.
I nodded, even though my stomach ached. I needed a drink or two if I was going to make it through tonight.
We left Bear to a couple other guys who stopped him and meandered through the groupings of people to the kitchen. There were stacks of cups and a variety of beverages lined up along the countertop.
Williams snatched us a couple of beers from a cooler on the tiled floor. We both cracked them open and scanned the crowd as we sipped.
I couldn’t help it as I fell back into the past, imagining Liam here. He wouldn’t have been nursing one beer in quiet seclusion. That guy would’ve downed a couple of drinks before arriving, prepped and ready for a good time. He would be in the dead center of the pulsating jumble of students, howling with amusement. A magnet that attracted anyone and everyone in for a good time.
Liam was the heart, the chaos, the center of it all.
I got whiplash from my double take of golden coils of silk hair in the center of the dancing bodies.
At first, I had the fleeting thought that it was my imagination conjuring up Liam. I tumbled back into reality as I recognized my Maybelle at the center of the dance floor.
My eyes fell out of my face as I watched the once shy, and only-reads-books-Maybelle, jump around with Penny laughing beside her. Like Liam, Maybelle had no rhythm. She bounced up and down, not even to the beat, but she was, no doubt, loving every second.
I couldn’t help the sense of déjà vu I felt as I watched her. Noticing the way everyone nearby admired her, pressing in closer.
She was a magnet, the heart, the chaos, the center of it all.
I chuckled at the thought of Liam standing beside me, watching his sister now. I imagined his jaw hitting the floor before he joined her. Happy to see his sister finally enjoying herself for once.
Williams nudged me with an elbow, knocking me out of my daydreaming.
“I’m gonna head out back to join a game of ping-pong or whatever they got out there. You comin’?”
I shook my head, gesturing to the center of the floor.
He followed, then turned back to me with a knowing smirk. “Go get her,” he said, patting me on the shoulder as he stepped away.
He only made it a few steps before a short, dirty blonde-haired girl with glasses stopped him. She smiled before pulling him away from the crowds and he happily followed.
I knew I needed to approach Maybelle and not continue to stare like a creep, but she was just so mesmerizing... That is, until I realized she wasn’t just laughing and dancing with Penny—but with someone else.
My mouth went dry as I recognized Sam Cameron pressing himself against her.
Sam was an awkward freshman that warmed the bench this season. Bear had recently befriended and invited him over now and then. So, I’d seen his lack of skills in speaking to other women. Except, there he was, laughing, dancing, with his hands on Maybelle’s hips.
