“Yup. Beer pong is just old news, apparently.”
The apartment has been turned into a party game galore. It isn’t as crowded as my last party in Hemlock Beach since the hockey team and the cheer team candidates are the only people in attendance, but I’m impressed. There are the classics like a beer pong table and a body shot station, but the fun doesn’t stop there.
Vaughn Heston, our host, is mixing cocktails, juggling bottles like a modern day Tom Cruise; there’s a dartboard, and a photo booth corner, but the party games continue outside on the deck and on the beach.
I spot an inflatable hot tub and… “Is that Jell-O in that huge clear plastic tub?” I ask pointing to the viscous blue substance inside it.
Talia chimes in from behind me. “It sure is.”
“That tub is big enough for two people to bathe in it.” I muse.
“Or fight in it.” Tucker’s sister sighs.
Jodie and I turn to look at her. “Fighting?”
“Yup. You have to thank my brother for that great idea. A couple of years ago during Rush Week his fraternity wanted to do something different from their usual dunking stand. Tucker had the idea of Jell-O wrestling. There’s vodka in that Jell-O, just FYI.”
I scrunch up my nose. “Really? That’s so tacky. And chauvinist. I wouldn’t have thought Tucker was the type to expect women to wrestle in the mud, or Jell-O in this case, for his entertainment.”
“Yuck,” Jodie agrees. “Speaking of entertainment, be right back. I’m gonna go get us something to drink.”
Talia laughs. “Women? Look, my brother can be a dumbass when he wants to be, but he’s all about equality. He was the first one to jump in that tub and challenged Topher, the Gamma president at the time, to wrestle him. Of course girls do it too. Anyone who wishes to wrestle is welcome to join.”
Yeah, no. “Not to be boring, but I can’t think of anything worse than being covered in boozy Jell-O and fighting someone in that tub to entertain a bunch of drunk people. I knew straight away that Tucker is goofy, but I’m surprised this was his idea.”
“Look, I’m not defending him. And I’m the first to admit that his silly streak has landed him in hot water more than once. But Tucker has changed. He has matured a lot in the past year.”
That makes me feel better. If I had wanted to date the typical frat boy, I could have done that during my undergraduate years at Hemlock Beach—I would have made the time even in my busy schedule.
“Good. I like Tucker’s funny side, but I must admit that Jell-O wrestling tub doesn’t reconcile with the sweet guy I think I’m starting to get to know. What made him change?”
Talia lowers her voice, pulling me closer so I’m the only one who can hear her in the relatively crowded party. “The only thing with the power to change someone. He fell in love.”
“I assume it didn’t work out since he’s single?”
“He got crushed.” Talia sighs. “The fact that he got drunk and acted like a fool in front of half our school didn’t help matters. And Bex was a sweetheart and forgave him. But the experience taught him a lot. With some help from Coach Harrison, who threatened some serious consequences if Tuck didn’t quit his wild partying.”
That makes a lot of sense. It explains why Tucker wasn’t drinking the night we met.
“I’m glad that bad experience had some positive impact on his life.”
Talia’s blue eyes bore into me as she takes my hand and squeezes it. “Tucker hadn’t been himself lately. But he looks happy again since he met you. I try my best not to meddle in his life, but he’s my big brother and I love him. Whatever happens between the two of you, please don’t hurt him. He’s way more sensitive than he shows the world.”
I pull Talia into my arms. “I promise, Talia. He’s lucky to have a sister who loves him as much as you do.”
She squeezes me hard, reminding me of Tucker’s tight hugs. “We push each other’s buttons sometimes, but I would light the world on fire for my brother. If you have any siblings, you probably understand.”
“It’s just me and my mom. The closest thing I have to a sister is Jodie. She’s my ride or die.”
As if summoned by my words, Jodie and Sam find us outside on the deck. “Here you go, Tar-Tar.” She hands me a red Solo cup. “I watched Vaughn pour it. Let’s make sure we have our eyes on it at all times. If we get distracted, don’t touch it. We’ll get you a new one.”
“Is everything ok?” Talia asks.
I take a sip of the watery beer and regret it immediately. I’m going to find something else to drink in a second.
“Yeah, we’re fine.” Jodie explains. “But Taryn got roofied at our old school and it didn’t end well. So now we’re vigilant about watching our drinks.”
“Yikes,” Sam says. “I mean, we go to school with these guys and they are harmless for the most part, but I guess you never know.”
