Ivy snorts. “Me? Worry about yourself. I’m going to wipe the floor with you.”
I rub my temples as the front door slams, both girls going to explore with the rest of the team. This is going to be a long weekend.
The first day was a total success. Shay managed to crawl out of bed for sunrise yoga, even though she glared at me from her mat with a piece of bacon hanging out of her mouth. Jo led us through an hour of yoga, managing to keep it together even though Adri kept calling it downward doggy style.
After a late dinner and finishing my recommendation letter for Kenneth, I fall face first into the leather couch.
I’d fall asleep right here if it wasn’t so loud from the party going on around me. My game day playlist blares through the speakers, “Imma Be” taking everyone back to junior high.
I flip onto my back, surprised to find Jo holding out a beer to me.
“You look like you need this,” she says. “Great job today, Mal. It’s only Friday, and Gemma and Ivy aren’t trying to strangle each other anymore. Pairing them up for the three-legged race was genius.”
I move my leg, and the couch shifts as she sits beside me. “I’m glad. I hope the next two days go as smoothly as today did.”
When I rub my pulsing temples, Jo asks, “You good?”
“Meh. I’m exhausted, so I have no clue how they still have so much energy. I was sure my itinerary would have them all in bed by now. We’ve been going since the sun came up.”
I glance around the room. Adri is playing Twister, her body contorted in ways I didn’t know were possible. The dining table is a battlefield as Monopoly proves to be friendship ending. Near the kitchen, wooden blocks topple to the ground, followed by,“Ha! I told you not to pick that one!”
“Well, it doesn’t help that they’re all drunk. I think you’re the only sober one here.”
I gasp and grab Jo’s cheeks, which are flushed and warm against my palms. “Jo! You’re drunk too?”
“Maybe a little tipsy.” She hiccups. “Figured I might as well join the craziness. Adri promised she would teach me the difference between good vodka and bad vodka.”
“If you love yourself, don’t do that.” I shake my head and glare at Adri’s back. “That’s how she tricks you into going shot for shot, and no vodka is good. Take my advice and steer clear of that hellish game. Plus, we’ve got our two-on-two soccer gamestomorrow.”
“Since you’re team momandteam captain, maybe you can write me a pass to skip tomorrow’s activities? For your best friend.”
Although she and Adri are a year below Shay and I, they’re incredible members of this team and even better friends. The Quartet began when Adri called me for a ride home after a frat party got busted. Shay and I crawled out of bed, took them to Sunshine Junction, and the rest was history.
“So, do you want to finally tell me what’s going on between you and Kenneth?” she asks.
I pop open my can of beer, but don’t bring it to my lips. “We’re friends, Jo. Working on our project. Nothing more.”
“You swear?”
“Swear.” I’m telling the truth. We are friends.
Regardless of how I feel about him.
She leans against my arm, always a bit more touchy when she gets a little bit of alcohol in her system. “I never thought I’d hear those words come out of your mouth, Mal. Friends with Kenneth. It’s funny how things change.”
Before I can agree, Adri bursts into the living room. Her drunk talent is being able to do gymnastic moves and the entire “Rasputin” dance without breaking a sweat. Completing a wobbly back walkover, she slides into the splits with her arms in the air. “Ta-da!”
“Holy shit, you’re wasted,” I laugh. “Are you going to be okay tomorrow? I told Jo that getting sick on the field is not allowed.”
Adri stands and pops her hip as if I’ve offended her. “Puking is for bitches and losers, and I am neither of those.” Grabbing Jo, she pulls her up from beside me. “Want to join us, Cap? I’m going to show Jo the wonderful world of vodka.”
I look at Jo, who lets out an intoxicated giggle at my worried expression.
Waving them away, I lean back into the couch. “I’d rather make it through the night. You guys go kill your livers, but don’t forget that we have lots of activities planned for tomorrow.”
After I finish my beer, I grab my fanny pack and head into the bathroom. Glass clangs against the counter as I pull the small bottles from my bag. For this mini-vacation, Dr. Morand and Bex recommended it could be a good time for an insulin pump break, restarting insulin injections.
I’m actually looking forward to putting my pump back on when I get home.
