This is how most conversations went with Enzo. He was a cold asshole, which made me a pissy bitch, and we both proceeded to hate each other over the course of whatever time we spent together. But today would be different, because today, I’d get to be with E.
Unfortunately, when we got to E’s, there were a lot more people than I expected. I couldn’t find E for the first ten minutes. When I finally did, he gave me a quick hello, passed me a beer, and went on to talk to someone else. I couldn’t tell if he was avoiding me or just busy, but I decided it was the latter and started engaging with othersaround me while Enzo ran off doing God knows what. Honestly, I didn’t care what he did. I was happy for the break.
The party was fun. The music was loud, and the drinks were flowing all over E’s unfinished basement. At one point, I accidentally ended up in line to do a keg stand. When it was my turn, I tried to back out, but two fairly hot guys egged me on, and suddenly, I was being held upside down with a beer tap in my mouth and everyone counting the seconds.
When I made it past thirty, a crowd started to form, and soon it felt like the whole party was cheering me on. I tapped out at sixty-one and was placed on my feet, only to stumble as I turned to walk off. Thankfully, E’s strong chest was there to catch my fall.
“How’s it goin’ there, party animal?” The corner of his mouth lifted with the hint of a crooked grin. “Didn’t know you were a keg stand professional. Maybe I can get your autograph? Put your picture on the wall down here.”
I laughed. “I didn’t mean to. It just sort of happened.”
He laughed with me, and when he didn’t motion to leave, I rushed to think of something to say. I wanted to keep him with me as long as I could. “Your friends are nice,” I said, cringing at how lame it sounded. It was all I could think of.
He looked over my shoulder, one hand still holding me steady by the elbow. “Who, Brady and Sean?” He looked back at me. “They’re not nice; they think you’re hot. They’re hitting on you.”
“Oh.” I looked at my feet, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I suddenly felt overwhelmingly bashful.
His finger and thumb found my chin, and he lifted my eyes to his with a playful grin. “Who wouldn’t?” His eyes twinkled, and my heart exploded in my chest. I was starstruck. Dumbfounded. Completely in awe at the best compliment I had ever received. From him.
And then, as quickly as the joy came, it was stolen away.
“What the hell, Syd?!” E and I both jumped, startled by Enzo’s angered tone. “I turn around for one second, and you’re having a foursome with some guys for a keg stand?”
I rolled my eyes and went to grab his hand to console him, like a mother consoling a tantrum-throwing child. He pulled away from me in disgust.
“Oh, relax. It wasn’t a big—”
“Don’t tell me to relax. What thefuckwas that?”
“Chill out, man,” E said, holding Enzo by the shoulder, but Enzo shifted away from him.
“Mind your business, E. This is between me and her.”
“Actually, nothing is between me and you until you stop being a psycho,” I snapped.
“Oh, I’m a psycho?I’ma psycho?! You’re the fucking whore being held up by two guys while another basically puts hisdickin your mouth!”
“You’re so damn dramatic,” I said, crossing my arms across my chest. It was true. It was nothing like he said. He just didn’t like seeing me around other guys—hot guys at that. But I didn’t care how he felt. He didn’t deserve me to.
I gave him a stern, unmovable look, ready for our stand-off. He knew me well enough to know my stubborn attitude wasn’t going anywhere, and I wouldn’t be giving in to hishissy fit. I was over his bullshit, done with his nasty comments and overbearing nature. And he knew it.
“You know what, Syd,fuckyou.”
“Fuckyou. Why are you being such a dick?” But he was already out the door, keys in hand—and I was happy he was leaving me behind.
The party carried on, unfazed by Enzo’s absence. E and I hung out most of the night. He stood beside me for a quick game of flip cup and chose me as a partner for beer pong, even though I had never played. He cheered me on like we’d win the World Series if I made the right shots, his face close to mine as he taught me to line the ball with the cup by eye. When I made the final shot, he picked me up like a trophy in one arm and screamed, “Yeah, baby!” I could’ve stayed in that moment forever.
We celebrated with a shot and moved about the party in near unison. He introduced me to everyone, girls and guys included, ashis girl, Syd. I knew he just meant it as a friend, and so did they, but deep in my heart, I wanted it to mean more. It was only when he needed to help someone move a table that he left me alone. I missed him immediately.
Soon, the party fizzled out. It was just me and E, and a few of his friends passed out haphazardly on the leather couches. One was sleeping soundly on the pool table.
I helped E line the empty beer cans on a ceiling beam. When we were done, he smiled up at it like a proud artist. “Couple more parties, and it’ll be finished.”
I snorted. “It’s a real masterpiece, Picasso. What if your mom sees?”
He climbed down from the chair. “Nah, she never comes down here. And if she does, she won’t notice.”
“You sound so sure.”
