I just hoped he had everything under control and Jeremy wasn't at that party, or things were going to get extremely ugly.
I ran downstairs to where my parents were cuddled on the couch, the opening credits of their movie just starting.
"Leo snuck out," I said breathlessly. "I think he went to Oliver's party. Can I use the car to go get him?"
My parents looked at each other in surprise and concern. "Why are you so worried? It's just a party," Mom said.
It frustrated me that they didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. It was just a party for them, but it felt like the end of the world for me.
"I have my reasons for being concerned. I know he's been having problems with Brandy and some other friends, and I don't want anything to happen that we'll all regret. Can I take the car, please?"
Dad was already reaching for the keys. "Of course, honey, but drive carefully, and don't come back too late, okay?"
"Thanks, I won’t."
I kissed them both on the cheek and ran as fast as I could to the vehicle, my hands shaking as I fumbled with the keys. Maybe I still had time to get there before something terrible happened. Maybe I could still fix this. He was walking there. I was in a car. I could get there first. I will get there first.
I tried to be positive on my way to the party, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was already too late.
My brother and Jeremy will fight. Oliver will make them go to his bathroom so they can settle their differences in private. And it's all going to be a setup to record them having sex.
CHAPTER 31
Kyle
Lily: Kyle, I NEED YOUUUU
Lily: Where are you?
Lily: I think Leo escaped to the party, I need you to stop him before he does something stupid.
Lily: Kyle, pleaseeeeeeee answerrrrrrr.
I satJeremy down in Oliver's living room and handed him a cup of coffee and some chips, hoping they would help sober him up a bit. He was hysterical, upset about something, and talking complete nonsense since he'd arrived. I needed to get him calm before I could figure out what the hell was going on.
I was furious at myself for not being able to prevent this situation. I thought I could enjoy time with my friends and be happy while also protecting Jeremy from being here, but I was clearly wrong, and now I would pay the consequences of my actions.
When I saw that he was slightly more coherent, I started my interrogation. "Okay, I need you to tell me what happened to you, everything, without omitting any detail, little by little.” I sighed. “I thought I told you to call me if you had an emergency."
"But I did call you, maybe ten times before I decided to come here," Jeremy replied, his words still slightly slurred.
Really? Shit.
I tried to search my pockets for my phone, but it wasn't there. I must have lost it when the guys grabbed me to throw me into the pool.
This was bad. I couldn't believe that a moment of carelessness had caused Jeremy to spiral so out of control. But this was not the time for lamenting. The best thing I could do now was try to calm him down and convince him that we needed to leave immediately. "Well, I'm sorry, but that doesn't give you the right to get drunk and act crazy. Did you drive here?"
"No, someone brought me."
"Fine, let's go then."
"Where?"
"I don't know, anywhere but here." I tried to sound firm and authoritative.
"But I don't want to leave. I don't want to be home alone."
"We can go to Lily and Leo's then, whatever makes you feel better, but not here," I raised my voice at the end.
