“Thanks.” Luckily it was dark so Preston couldn’t see how red Ethan’s face got. Or was that the jungle juice?
Ethan loved looking at Preston in this light. Different-colored screens had been placed over the track lighting. Everyone had a colorful glow, hiding all their flaws. Preston’s skin seemed extra-soft. The stubble on his cheek was illuminated.
Where were the witty lines of before? Ethan wondered. The alcohol made him giggly, but his brain remained stiff, unwilling to take a chill pill so he could have great conversation. Every time he tried to say something remotely witty, his brain shut it down.Not good enough.They watched the beer pong game. A team of two skinny boys in jeans that made Ethan’s look like sweatpants were on the verge of losing.
“So are all LGBT parties wild like this?” Ethan asked. He wondered if dropping the word “wild” in conversation would subliminally make Preston think he had an edge.
“I wouldn’t say it’s wild. Just packed.”
He should have a great comeback for that. Something funny. More use of the wordwild, maybesexy.
But nothing.
Ethan was forced to bring up the one topic he really didn’t want to. It was his last hope.
“So I forget, what’s your major?”
Preston sipped some jungle juice. Ethan took a gulp. “Comparative literature.”
“Cool. How do you like it?”
“It’s good.”
Someone reached out and grabbed Preston’s wrist. Ethan saw a string of rainbow-colored bracelets. The grabby hand belonged to one of the tight-jeaned skinny boys, his hair meticulously mussed and gelled into place.
“Preston, I need some back up here.” He turned to the winning team. “Best out of three!”
“What happened to Zeke?” Preston asked.
“He has no aim. It’s a good thing you don’t have to share a bathroom with him.” The kid rubbed Preston’s forearm, brushing his fingers through Preston’s blond arm hairs. Ethan’s chest tightened. “C’mon, Preston. You know how to handle balls like no one else.”
Ethan sincerely hoped he was joking, but Preston’s laughter beat into Ethan’s chest like a hammer.
“Blake, this is Ethan.”
The kid shook Ethan’s hand, but his eyes remained fixed on Preston. “Nice to meet you.”
“It’s my first LGBT party!” Ethan said, as if that made a difference with anything.
Blake gave a wide, fake smile like he was on a talk show. “Preston. I need you. Be my beer pong partner.”
“I don’t know. I’m drinking jungle juice. Beer and liquor.”
“Liquor before beer. You’re in the clear. Besides, with your million-dollar arm, we’re not going to be drinking anything.” Blake’s hand continued stroking Preston’s forearm.
Ethan also noticed that Preston didn’t move said forearm.
He stayed mum. He had no idea if he should interject. Plus Blake was such a presence that he didn’t know if he’d be allowed to get a word in edgewise.
“I don’t know,” Preston said. He nodded at Ethan. “Is there room for another player?”
Blake’s eyes flashed onto Ethan, and Ethan didn’t need special lighting or jungle juice to turn red. He had never played beer pong before, and the thought of screwing up in front of Preston terrified him. What if they were on the same team and his poor shooting skills made them lose? Tonight was about being cool, and losing at beer pong did not fit that definition.
“I’m just going to watch.”
“You sure?” Preston asked. Ethan nodded.
Blake clapped his hands together. “Okay then. Let’s go, Pres.”
