“The killer whale,” Clay answered, without hesitation.
Rachel threw the card at him. “Have you memorized these cards or something? There is no way you know that much useless knowledge!” she griped.
Clay laughed. “Let’s just say I used to have a lot of time on my hands and all I did was read,” he admitted, handing the card back to her.
I answered my fair share of questions and Clay’s frostiness had lessened considerably as the game wound down. “How manyRockymovies were made by 1990?” Clay asked when it was our turn.
“Oh! I know this one! There were five movies,” I said, grinning because I knew I was right. Clay turned over the card.
“Yep, the answer is five. See, I’m not the only one with a head full of useless knowledge. Nicely done.” He smiled at me, handing me the pink wedge for our wheel.
My body buzzed when his fingers brushed mine to hand me the game piece. Our eyes locked and I felt like maybe he was finally over our earlier misunderstanding. I hated to admit that I was getting very, very drunk. Clare and Rachel were giggling beside me and Ray was all but passed out on the couch.
After a few more rounds, the boys declared victory and we girls had to down the rest of our drinks. My head felt fuzzy and Rachel was laughing about nothing in particular. After that, we decided to play Scattergories. Daniel and Rachel decided to team up for this one. Ray and Clare were another team, leaving Clay and me together.
Suddenly, Daniel’s phone began to ring. He looked down at the screen and got up quickly to answer it. “Hello?” he said quietly, leaving the room.
“Who was that?” I asked.
“I bet it was Kylie. She’s been calling him all day,” Ray said nonchalantly, waking up a bit so he could get his hands up Clare’s shirt.
“Kylie? I thought they were broken up,” Rachel said quietly.
“Yeah, they are, but that didn’t stop them from hooking up last week. I think she just wants another go.” Ray could be such apig.
Clare smacked her boyfriend. “Shut up, Ray!” she hissed at him.
Rachel looked at me and I knew she was hurt. “See, Mags. This is why I won’t ever say or do anything. Becauseshewill always be in the picture.” Rachel threw down the cards in her hand and got to her feet a little unsteadily.
Daniel came back into the room just then and looked at Rachel in confusion. “Where are you going? We’ve got a game to win.” He had tucked his phone back into his pocket. Rachel was wobbling on her feet, the alcohol making itself known.
“You know what, Daniel? I’m fucking done.”
I got to my feet, ready to intervene. “Come on, Rachel. Maybe it’s just time to go to bed,” I said quietly, moving to stand beside her. I took her arm and tried to lead her away but Daniel stopped us.
“No, Maggie. Let her say what she wants to say. Obviously I’ve pissed her off,again,” he spit out nastily. We were all wasted; this was not going to end up well.
Rachel’s face turned red. “Damn straight you pissed me off! I’m so sick of watching you go back and forth with that skank!” she shrieked. Clay had come up on Rachel’s other side and the two of us were trying to lead her down the hallway.
She yanked her arms away from our grasp and turned back to Daniel. Danny looked livid. “What the hell is it to you?” he growled, moving toward Rachel.
I put my hand on Daniel’s chest. “Back off, Danny. You know how she gets when she drinks. Just let her sleep it off.” I looked over to Ray and Clare, hoping for some more help, but they had passed out.
“No, Maggie! I’m sick of him walking all over me!” Rachel yelled. Daniel frowned, the veins in his neck bulging.
“Walk all over you? Whatareyou talking about? We’re friends, Rachel! We’ve been friends for a long time and lately all we do is fight. The fucked-up thing is I can’t think of one damn thing I’ve done to you!” he yelled, his face an inch from Rachel’s.
“Man, just let it go,” Clay said, trying to pull Daniel back. Rachel had started to cry.
“Yes, we’re friends! But damn you, Daniel! I love you! I’m tired of you hurting me!” she sobbed. I pulled her into the crook of my arm and let her cry into my shirt.
Daniel was dumbstruck. He looked at me in confusion. “She loves me? What the hell is she talking about?” I just shook my head. Rachel pulled out of my arms and ran down the hallway, slamming the door to their room.
“What the fuck?!” Daniel yelled, and turned to punch the wall.
“Stop that shit, Daniel!” Clay roared, pulling the other boy back. Daniel pushed past Clay and me and slammed out the kitchen door.
“Well, crap,” I said tiredly. I looked out the window, trying to find Daniel in the darkened yard. “I should probably go find him,” I said, pulling on my coat and putting on my shoes.
