“Like, toga party,” Addison said. “Or we could do an old money night, where everyone has to be dressed like someone rich from the turn of the century. We could do a luau?” She lifted her brows as her eyes moved back and forth between Parker and me.
“Wear a grass skirt and coconut bra in the dead of winter? No thanks. Plus, everyone will be dry and pasty. Ewww.” Parks snorted and shook her head like that was the dumbest thing she’d ever heard.
“What are we talking about?” Trevor asked as he and Lance approached. Trevor slid into the booth once Addison scooted down, and Lance pulled a chair up at the end.
“Your crazy girlfriend is already trying to plan a New Year’s Eve party,” I told him.
“Oh, right. Did you figure out the theme yet?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her.
“Not yet. That’s what I was trying to do,” she told him.
He leaned in, kissing her, obviously not caring too much about the party’s theme.
I looked over at Lance. He was smiling at his friend and girlfriend, as if he were happy to see them so happy. The smile fell from his lips when he realized I was watching.
He leaned in a little. “For the record, I told both of them that it was way too early to plan this party.”
I laughed. “I’m glad someone can be the voice of reason. Not that it’s done any good,” I said, motioning toward them.
Trevor pulled away from Addison. “I want this party to be the best party our house has ever hosted. And I’m talking biggest in every way.”
Lance nodded. “Whatever you want,” he agreed.
I looked over at him. “Are you two in a frat?”
Lance smirked like he didn’t realize that I didn’t know this information. “Yeah. Didn’t you know?”
I shook my head. “No. You never mentioned it.”
He chuckled. “Sorry, I guess it slipped my mind.”
“So, you’re planning a frat party? Keg in the back yard, kitchen island littered with Solo cups and all the liquor you can get your hands on.”
Everyone laughed.
“Not exactly,” Trevor said. He leaned in a little, resting his arms on the table between us. “Normally, that is a typical frat party, but we have the biggest and best frat on campus, so we dothings on a grander scale.” He shook his head. “We don’t invite the entire college campus into our house to trash. We book a venue. Usually, this huge cabin on the lake that you can rent out.”
“He says cabin, but it’s basically a mansion,” Parker clarified.
“Yeah,” Addison jumped in. “This is a three-story cabin with a dozen bedrooms, a full kitchen, a living room, a dining room, a game room, and a hot tub. There are multi-level balconies that overlook the lake, and it’s located way out of the city, practically in the middle of nowhere.”
I looked back at Trevor, and he carried on. “It used to be a regular family cabin, but then it was sold, and at some point, someone decided to expand, wanting to make it some rustic B&B. Apparently, it only operated for a handful of years before it was finally shut down and resold. Now, it’s owned by a travel agent who rents it out for private vacations, parties, and all kinds of events. And, we have a standing reservation for every New Year.”
“Wow, that has to be expensive. Who pays for that?”
“We do,” Lance said, reaching out and grabbing a handful of pretzels from the small bowl on the table.
Trevor nodded. “Yeah, we have different events throughout the year, and we charge people to get into our parties. Anyone who wants to stay in the cabin must pay for their room, too. Others are stuck sleeping in their cars or pitching a tent on the property.”
“Camping? In the winter?” I questioned.
Trevor nodded and smirked. “Yeah, I mean, there’s a fire pit to keep warm and… Well, almost everyone has someone sleeping with them to stay warm.” His smirk didn’t fall away as he looked at Addison, who was still tucked to his side.
Her cheeks burned hot, and she rolled her eyes. “Stop it.”
Trevor laughed.
“What? What did I miss?”
