“Yeah.” I ran a palm over my jaw. “She’s probably driving over right now.”
“Exactly. Don’t sweat it. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
Shaun was right. I was overthinking it.
For the next hour, I immersed myself in drinking games with the boys. Beer pong, flip cup, and never have I ever until I was way past tipsy and close to hammered.
“Never have I ever had a threesome,” Nico said.
We all watched Shaun take a shot. I wasn’t surprised, since I knew my best friend had a bit of a playboy streak.
“No way!” Josh was wide-eyed. “Details. Now.”
Shaun chuckled. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
Josh was about to rib him when Layla squeezed through thethick crowd of partygoers, two of her friends in tow, one redhead and one blonde. Gabby and Anna.
“There she is! There’s my girl.” Josh hooked an arm around her neck and drew her closer, kissing her cheek in a drunken fashion. “Hi, Lay.”
Layla blushed. “Um, hi. Happy birthday.”
They still toed the awkward line where they were more than friends but not exactly dating. Although Josh made it very clear to everyone that Layla was off-limits and completely his.
I noticed Hunter freeze and his lips part as he stared at Gabby, almost in an entranced manner, while she laughed and chatted with Shaun. On the other hand, Anna, the object of Sam’s desires, was busy perusing the island counter for something to drink.
My attention turned towards Sam just in time to watch him look like he got struck by Cupid. He gazed at Anna like she created his very universe.
When her hand closed over a can of Pepsi, Sam wrapped his fingers over hers reflexively. So not smooth. Nico, Nate, and I sighed in unison.
Her amused gaze rose to his and she spoke softly, “Do you mind?”
Sam opened his mouth to speak, but no sound emerged. She smiled like a pageant contestant and snatched her drink away with a polite ‘thank you.’ Then she and Gabby disappeared alongside Josh and Layla. Probably to go dance.
“You fucking blew it, man,” I slurred to Sam.
“I did.” Sam ran a hand over his face, mesmerized and still staring at the space Anna vacated. “She’s so fucking beautiful that sometimes I just feel…speechless.”
While the rest of them teased him about his crush, I reached for my phone and reopened my conversation with Ella.
Still nothing.
Worry and irritation coalesced in my stomach. With every second I was left unanswered, I grew more annoyed. Overwhelmed, too. There were too many sounds, too many neon lights, too many fragrances and BOs wafting in the kitchen.
I needed to leave for a bit and get some fresh air.
Filling my red Solo cup with more Jack and Coke, I saluted the boys. “I’ll be back soon.”
Muscling my way through the crowd, I entered a quiet hallway, devoid of people.
I dialed Ella’s number and brought my cell phone to my ear. One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Four rings.
“Hey, you’ve reached Ella. Can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll give you a call back as soon as possible.”
At the beep, I recorded, “Hey, Ellie. It’s me. I’m getting worried. Give me a call as soon as you hear this, all right? I love—what the fuck!”
A guy wearing all-black with his hood up shouldered into me. I staggered against the wall. His hand moved over my cup before he grabbed my elbow to steady me.
“Sorry, bro,” he mumbled and quickly darted down the hallway.
