by Kristi Ayers
“You two aren’t doing acoustic?”
Douglas answered, “Electric acoustic. Parties like these are usually loud, so we need that extra boost of sound. Adam won’t have the full drum set. He’ll drive the van over with his cajon and Max’s microphone and amp.”
I recalled him playing a cajon in Orchestra a few times. He was going to look entirely different playing it tonight than he did back then. Now he was going to sit on it and not look like he was straining to stay upright. I winced at my memory, feeling like I unfairly judged another human being based on weight. I was ashamed to admit, if he looked like he did now back in high school, I would have wanted to know everything about him.
We walked across the grounds and past the science building to get onto a typically busy sidewalk. It was mostly empty now except for a few people in costumes that seemed to be heading in our same direction.
I’d asked multiple times if I could carry a guitar and got shot down each time. “Just let me help. I feel like you’re both treating me like a literal doll.”
Douglas laughed. “If I hand over something, you’ll make me feel like I’m giving away my man card.” Max smiled, his straight teeth nearly glowing in the darkness.
I laughed. “We can’t have that, now, can we?”
This particular frat house was a grey stone, multilevel building, bordering on a small castle in size and appearance. People were mingling with drinks in red cups, playing pool, and dancing to upbeat songs streaming from someone’s playlist. A few guys were getting absolutely sloshed and daring each other to do stupid things like swing from a chandelier wielding a sword.
Orange lights were strung all over, along with hanging bats and ghosts. A fog machine was going, but it wasn’t overpowering. Battery-powered candles flickered on many of the shelves and tables. Cobwebs, literally, everywhere. It was wicked cool. My first real party as a college student. I beamed inside.
“The band’s here!” someone shouted. A few who saw us raised their red cups and cheered. I had to admit, it felt pretty cool to be “with the band.” That was until a few girls squealed, “Proof of Stars!” and followed from a distance, but thankfully, they gave us space to set up. I tried to help but didn’t really know what to plug into where.
Adam finally showed up with the rest of the gear. He was dressed as a vampire, something he knew the girls would go nuts over. Once again, I didn’t see anyone who acted like his girlfriend. He didn’t come in with a girl, and no one was going over to greet him. He must have felt my eyes on him because he looked over at me, finally noticing I wasn’t just a random partygoer. He entirely stopped what he was setting up to look at me from head to toe. My costume was so far from my normal wardrobe, it appeared to make him speechless as he walked over to me.
He hadn’t painted his face pale, but he did have his hair brushed back James Dean style and a bit of blood dripped from his mouth. His ruffled shirt was open to almost his navel. His abs, oh my heavens, his abs. I blinked and forced my eyes back up to his, which were dark and looked nefarious without the help of any spooky contacts. They were sexy as hell.
For what seemed like the longest time, he didn’t say anything, only drank in every inch of my face, my body. I assumed he was already intoxicated and quickly thought of something to say to break this odd connection. I remembered how he teased me when he caught me staring at him the first time we hung out, so I mimicked playfully. “You’re making me feel like I need to charge admission.”
“I wish you would.”
Whoa, so not what I had been going for. Time for deflection before this got inappropriate. “Curtain time is soon. You probably should make sure you’re ready.”
He didn’t miss a beat. “I’m more ready than you can imagine.” I knew he wasn’t talking about the makeshift stage, because his cajon was still sitting by the cases. He’d set up the microphone stand but hadn’t plugged it in yet. Unsure whether to argue, I just stood there awkwardly for a few moments. When I glanced back over at the mic, I saw Max plugging it in as he also kept one eye on Adam.
“I’m going to get a drink.” I turned to go. He was making me feel things again and it needed to stop. His girlfriend would surely be livid with his flirting, and I’d be at fault if I let it continue.
He jumped in front of me. “Let me get it. Can’t have you getting drugged and raped here.”
I huffed. “I think I can manage getting a sealed bottle.”
He strode meaningfully to the kitchen with me on his vampire coattails. I hurried to grab a bottle first, but he beat me to it, popping the top off with lightning speed and handing it to me. “If you set it down for even a second, I’ll get you a new one. Don’t you dare drink one unattended. Tell me you understand, Cates.” His dark eyes probed mine.
I nodded, surprised at how imperative this was to him. His serious demeanor calmed a bit, then he took my hand and led me back to where we’d been, only directing me to sit on a stool by the stage area. I didn’t have to look to see Max had watched the entire exchange. I sat there and scanned the crowd to let a few moments pass while I sipped the cold beer, letting nearby tensions cool.
After a few chords to check the sound, Max got up to the mic to speak, his costume once again captivating me. “How’s everyone’s night so far?” he hollered with excitement, which made all the nearby people cheer. Their rowdiness enticed others to join around the stage, which was set up in a common area that looked like a large living room with a pool table. A larger than life flat screen TV hung on the wall, and under it was an entertainment center. People in the kitchen double-fisted drinks as they joined the crowd.
I felt claustrophobic for the first time in my life. I tried to ignore the mob of half-sexy, half-scary creatures, many of whom wore masks, and focused on Max. Occasionally, girls would giggle, or someone would fall, and I’d glance into the crowd again. A few curious eyes looked at me, making me debate about moving. It was too obvious I was with the band. Now it didn’t seem so cool. Damn Adam, I just wanted to fit in at this party.
Max started a tempo by counting, “One, two, three, four,” and they launched into a song. The crowd cheered. Glittery pixie dust and feathers floated away from some of the dancing girls. Even a few of the guys got into dancing, or I should say, grinding with their dates.
I got up and walked into the crowd because the feeling of jealous eyes boring holes in me was getting old. I needed to appear normal. Not special or singled out. I held my beer down at my side and bobbed my head to the music.
Adam noticed my empty seat. I watched his eyes furiously dart across the crowd while trying to keep the beat. It was funny. I felt like popping around like “Where’s Waldo.” I mean, come on. What if I needed to use the restroom? Was he planning on taking me?
I did need to use it, though…
I looked at the stairs and bet a few were up there. Probably with a long line. I turned back to the stage and tried to wait, not wanting to miss any of their set. They usually played six songs before taking a break or having another band go on, about eighteen minutes-worth of music, give or take. I could wait, I told myself, and sipped more of my beer.
Adam finally spotted me, and I was confident I saw him exhale with a curse. He was relieved, but I bet I’d get a lecture later. Max also found me among the crowd and winked. It was insanely sexy, my teenage-self swooning at the vision of Captain Jack.
When I guesstimated they were playing their last song, I started up the stairs in search for the bathroom. Of course there was a line, so I leaned on the wall and drank my beer. If I didn’t find an open bathroom, like soon, I was going to burst, so I went further down the hall. This place was a mansion, so I knew it had other options.
I finally found one and it was blissfully vacant. I threw away my empty bottle in the small trashcan and did my business quickly. I wanted to get back downstairs. When I opened the door, I was met with furious black eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?” an angry voice growled.
I sucked in a bre
ath, startled. After the initial shock, which was enough to make my heart stop, I realized Adam was waiting for an answer from me. “What the hell, Adam? I was going to the bathroom.”
“Back here?” he gritted out. A muscle in his jaw flexed.
“I didn’t want to wait in a long line.” I shrugged. “I really had to go. This one was open.” I brushed by him, finally irritated. He wasn’t my keeper. After a few meaningful strides, an arm hit the wall in front of me, causing me to bump into it.
“Cates,” Adam said in my ear with a bite, “stop and listen to me.” I stared straight ahead, not dignifying his bossy attitude with acknowledgement. I pressed my lips into a thin, angry line. “You can’t go off by yourself down dark hallways at frat parties. I don’t care if you’re about to piss your pants, you do not do it. I don’t know if you’re aware, being an oblivious, naïve country girl, but guys are watching you. And they will take any opportunity to get you alone.” He moved his hand to caress his thumb against my cheek, tenderly, meaningfully. “I can’t have that happen to you.” I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or what, but the room began to spin when I turned my head to look at him, a retort about being naïve, and something about being able to take care of myself ready in my mind, though the argumentative words never made it to my tongue. “What’s wrong?” He probed my eyes, leaning closer to hold me steady. Apparently, I’d begun to sway. “Cates?”
“The beer… I guess I am a lightweight.” I raised my hand to my head. “I think I’m going to go back to my room.”
“Did you put your bottle down?”
“No, I held it the whole time,” I scoffed, offended.
“But you also got into that crowd. Anyone could have dropped something into it while you were watching us.” He cursed, as if it was somehow his fault, and glared down the darkened hallway. “I hate frat houses.” He jabbed his hand through his hair and fumed inwardly.
I stood up straight and attempted to make an exit without appearing intoxicated. If someone was watching and waiting for me to become “loosened up,” I didn’t want them to spot me. It proved to be more difficult than I anticipated because I tilted, slightly losing my balance, and bumped Adam’s shoulder. “Sorry…”
“You’re coming to my house so I can keep an eye on you.” His hand slid into mine, decision already solidified in his mind.
“Really, I’ll be fine. You can walk me to my room. I’ll sleep it off.”
He turned his body directly in front of me, and with his other hand, raised my chin so I’d meet his eyes. “I can’t lose you twice.”
My breath caught in my throat. All I could do was nod ever so slightly, too stunned to even blink.
“Breathe, Cates, or you’ll definitely pass out, which will cause me to carry you out on my shoulder, likely creating the scene you don’t want witnessed by the entire frat house.”
I huffed. “I’d never let that happen.”
We carefully went downstairs and over to the guys. They appeared to be packed and eager to leave, probably because drunk girls kept pressing their glittery boobs and breathing their reeking beer breath on them. Douglas was trying to be polite to them, ever the gentleman. The moment Max saw me, he extricated himself from the circle of girls, nearly knocking them over, and rushed to me. He immediately spotted our clasped hands and his brow furrowed slightly before he recovered and asked, “Are you okay?” His eyes looked me over and then at Adam for answers.
“She went off and got herself drugged, like a typical college newbie. I’ll make sure she survives.”
I rolled my eyes, or what I thought was rolling my eyes. They may have crossed for all I knew. “I told him I’d be fine, that I was going to sleep it off.” Max looked unconvinced. “Really, I just feel a bit woozy. I’m sure it will wear off soon.” It was more than just a bit, though.
Adam sighed. “She’s downright blitzed. Just look in her eyes. Someone slipped her something. I’ll watch her tonight.”
I shot him a glare. “I don’t need watching.” But I knew I didn’t have a say in this. Apparently, Adam had his mind made up on the matter.
Max’s features toggled between concern and anger. He scanned the crowd, as if the culprit would show himself. I could also sense he didn’t like the fact that I was going to be at Adam’s tonight, but it wasn’t like he could let me stay in his room. Where would he sleep if he gave me his bed? With Douglas? The thought made me giggle aloud, earning concerned looks from both guys. Violet was likely drunk right now herself, and if she wasn’t in our room passed out yet, she would be later. No one to watch over me. And I sort of wanted someone to make sure I didn’t need to go to the hospital for a stomach pumping. I knew nothing about getting drugged. Adam’s place seemed like the only option. At least until I felt better.
“If she gets worse, do you promise to call me?” I knew it took a considerable amount of willpower for Max to say that. He wanted to help; his eyes said it all.
“Of course.”
“And you won’t drink any more tonight?” Max leveled a warning look at Adam.
“Max, I assure you that I’ll take the utmost care of her,” he said, then glanced around angrily again at nearby drunk guys.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Max mumbled under his breath.
Adam handed over the keys to the van. “We’re going to walk. Don’t need any vomit decorating the van. Park at your dorm and I can get it tomorrow.”
It was at that point I felt the need to assure Max everything was going to be fine, so I went over and hugged him. “Max, I want to thank you for an awesome day and apologize for getting like this. I’m just going to sleep until I feel human again. I’ll text you later, okay?”
His arms squeezed me tight as he said near my ear, “Call if you need me for anything. I mean it. I can go to the store and pick up any pills or teas Adam doesn’t have.”
“Thank you.” I let go of him and followed Adam’s lead out, his hand instantly grabbing mine so as not to lose me. Or me lose him.
The walk to Adam’s house was an awkward blur interlaced with a few stumbles and lots of curse words from someone I had since renamed “Coach Ass.”
“Pick up your feet, Cates. You aren’t a ghost; you can’t glide across the sidewalk.”
I glared up into the sky, frustrated with his comments, then fell sideways into a pile of leaves and started giggling. Adam sighed heavily and regarded me without humor. “Oh, come on, Adam. Loosen up. You can laugh if I fall.”
He hauled me back on my feet. “If getting drugged was funny, I might, but I’m too busy being pissed at whoever did this to you.”
“Adam, I’m fiiine. I just feel drunk. May-be it was just a stronger beer.”
“Do you even hear yourself slurring words? No, you don’t. That’s because you’re so far gone that anyone could have lured you into a room to take advantage of you.”
My mind loosely grasped on to that horrifying possibility, but it couldn’t hold on to it for long. My eyes latched on to the hazy light beams around an old-fashioned lamppost. It was oddly beautiful in a lonely way as it cast a golden glow between two trees. I instantly wanted my violin, melancholic notes forming in my head. “I need to write this down.”
Adam shot me a puzzled look. “Write what down?”
“The song in my head. I need a pen and paper.” Frantic, I pawed at my costume as if it would sprout those items, sobering a bit from the worry of losing this sudden inspiration.
“Calm down, spaz. Here, I have a pen. Out of luck on paper.”
I took his pen, debating on using a large leaf as paper, but then grabbed his right wrist and drew five lines on the inner side of his forearm.
“What the hell—”
“Be still,” I commanded as I filled in the exact notes I heard in my head. I could feel his eyes on me. Hopefully, they weren’t angry. After I drew notes from wrist to elbow, I glanced up, slightly nervous what biting comment he would unleash. Instead of calling me crazy, he just stared, taking in
my face in silence. His eyebrows were drawn together, but not in anger. More like he was trying to figure me out.
I stepped back, my wild creativity calming. “Sorry. I just need to transpose it once we get to your house and then you can wash it off.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence, my thoughts focused on the haunting song my mind oddly conjured out of nowhere, but I couldn’t get it to progress any further. Instead, my foggy brain decided it needed to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
When we stepped onto his lawn, he stepped closer to me and helped me up the steps to the front door. Once he unlocked it, he flicked on a few lights, and we went to the kitchen table, where he flipped a paper over and rested his arm beside it, looking up at me expectantly as he perched on the edge of a chair. I took the seat next to him. His body was close, so close I felt the warmth from his skin, his breath on my shoulder. I took my time writing each note, secretly enjoying his nearness, and the increasingly charged air between us.
I completely colored in each note, taking a painfully long time with each one as my mind was absorbing everything that was Adam. His scent. The skin on his arm. Mentally, I could feel him everywhere. His carnal aura was wrapping itself around me, through me, inside me. Tingling shivers would make me pause every few notes, until I wrote the last one and let the pen drop, breathing heavy. Neither of us moved for long pulsating seconds, until finally, I got the courage to turn my head toward him. My eyes languidly gazed into his chocolate ones, our breath mingling between us. Then my eyes trailed down to his lips.
He sucked in a small breath and blinked. “You should probably go sleep that off now.” He leaned back some and then stood. “I have an extra toothbrush in the drawer. Soap on the counter if you want to wash your face. I’ll put some clothes to sleep in on my bed, and I’ll take the couch.”
He stepped away, tentatively, as if he wasn’t sure of something, then walked to his room, causing me to suddenly feel like the room chilled twenty degrees. My sun left me in the dark.