The Winning Side

by C. M. Doporto

  “Nah, it’s okay.” I leaned against him, wishing I felt better. I didn’t even have the energy to towel dry it.

  He pulled my hair to the side and then slipped my shirt over my head. “It’s really wet.”

  “Okay, I guess. But can you do it for me?”

  “Of course.” He kissed my forehead and returned to the bathroom.

  “Grab the brush while you’re in there.” I tried to run my fingers through my hair, but it was all matted. “Damn, what did I do to my hair?”

  Raven laughed again. “That must have been the chlorine.”

  “Chlorine?”

  “Yeah, you stripped down to your bikini and jumped in the swimming pool.”

  “Oh, how embarrassing.” I had become the thing I despised most — a drunken idiot.

  “That’s not all. When we came home, you rode my ass like never before.” My head shot up just in time to see Raven adjust his shorts. “Damn, you wore me out before passing out cold.”

  “You’re lying.” Heat inundated my cheeks. I had never acted that wild.

  “When you’re drunk, a sexy vixen comes to life.”

  I guess there’s a first time for everything.

  He plugged in the hair dryer and flipped it on, combing the knots out of my hair. “I kind of like it.” He winked.

  I smiled. “I’ll remember that.” My head fell forward and I stared at my legs and toes. There was a big, purple bruise across my right knee and the nail polish on my right big toe was scraped. I wondered how that happened. The gel nail polish was supposed to be durable. Maybe not for clumsy drunks. That’s when I finally recalled kicking off my shoes and stripping off my clothes before jumping in the pool. I had done exactly what he’d said. What an idiot!

  After Raven dried my hair, I pulled it into a ponytail and got back into bed.

  “Do you want me to bring you something to eat?”

  I moaned. “No. I just want to sleep.”

  “Okay.” He kissed me on the cheek and pulled the covers over me. “You picked a good day for it. It’s raining outside.”

  I listened for a moment at the sound of the rain tapping on the window. The soothing sound immediately eased the throbbing in my head. “Good. It will help me sleep.”

  “I’ll check on you in a little while.” Raven flipped off the light and the room darkened. I slept for a few more hours, finally getting up around four in the afternoon feeling somewhat alive.

  “Good afternoon, sunshine,” Josh said with a rolling pin in his hand.

  “Morning.” I shuffled my feet against the cold tile, feeling the sluggishness in my legs. It felt like the blaze from the Fireball liquor had lost its fire, replacing my body with a heap of ashes instead. I sat at the bar and slumped over the cold marble. I hated this feeling.

  “You had one hell of a birthday.” Shawn snickered, but I didn’t have the energy to say anything back.

  “Leave her alone. She had a great time.” Shelby wiped her hands on a towel and came to my side. She wrapped an arm around me and my body practically fell against her. “Didn’t you?”

  I gazed up her and smiled. She had flour on the tip of her nose. It reminded me of myself when I was in the kitchen. I glanced to see what they were cooking. Flour covered the island, along with garlic and tomatoes. The smell of Italian food drifted through the air and my stomach couldn’t decide if it was hungry or gun shy, for fear of tossing it back up.

  “Too much,” I moaned.

  She released me and I swayed to the side. I grab the counter and steadied myself. The room did a quick spin and I closed my eyes.

  “All I know is that you need to show me how to swing on a pole.” Shelby slapped her hand on the counter and my eyes shot open. “You worked that thing like a pro.”

  “Wh-what pole?”

  “The pole that was by the pool. You were swinging on it before you jumped in the water.”

  “Oh. No. Please tell me I wasn’t.” I slumped further on the stool and shielded my face with my hands. That’s when I noticed the bruise marks on my inner thighs. They looked like carpet burns. Or pole burns, in this case.

  “I saw the video. You were workin’ it, girl,” Delaney laughed as she rounded the corner.

  “You filmed me?” I felt all of the color drain from my face. I had done what Mr. Marshall warned us not to do.

  Shit!

  “Not me.” Delaney pointed to Shelby. “Her.”

  Shelby walked over to the bar. “I’m sorry. I’ll delete it, if you want.”

  “Just please tell me you didn’t post it.” I suddenly felt the nausea I’d been fighting burn the back of my throat.

  She crossed her fingers over her heart. “I promise I didn’t.”

  “I wouldn’t let her, baby.” Raven approached me from behind and gathered me in his arms. “I told her it would get us in trouble.”

  “And we sure as hell don’t need that,” Josh added.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I looked up at Raven. “Or why didn’t you stop me?”

  “I tried to, but you were determined to show me what you could do.” Raven’s brows shot up and he gave me a wicked grin. “And Shelby is right. You can work a pole, baby! Where did you learn moves like that?”

  “Oh, God.” My head hit Raven’s chest. “Anything else you guys want to tell me about last night?”

  “Lexi,” Raven lifted my chin, “don’t be embarrassed. We’ve all had our nights. Last night was yours.”

  “And Luke’s.” Delaney sighed. The dark circles around her eyes told me she had probably been up all night with him. I guess she was returning the favor for all the times my brother had taken care of her. Or better yet, he was getting her back for all the times he had to take care of her drunk ass.

  “How is Luke?”

  “Hung over. Big time.” Luke dragged himself into the kitchen, still looking half-drunk. “Do you have any chicken noodle soup?”

  “Soup?” I asked, wondering if he was sick or just hung over.

  “Yeah, in the pantry.” Josh pointed to the door to the right of him.

  Delaney opened the pantry door and pulled out two cans. “Want one, Lexi?”

  “Why would I want soup? I’m not sick, just hung over.”

  “Are you serious?” Josh looked at me with confusion.

  “It’s the best cure for hangovers,” Raven said, nodding to Delaney, affirming I would eat it.

  “I didn’t know that,” I openly admitted. Then again, when it came to drinking and partying, I really didn’t know much. At least, not like my friends and brother.

  “Trust me. It works,” Luke slurred as he plopped down on the seat next to me.

  “I’m surprised you’re alive.” I gave him a once over. His beautiful blue-green eyes were bloodshot and his hair was a disheveled mess. His after five shadow was a little thicker than normal and he still reeked of alcohol. “You were downing those Fireball shots like water.”

  “Don’t remind me. I’m never doing that shit again. That cinnamon burns when it comes out of your nose.”

  “Gross.” I shuddered as the reminder suddenly hit my taste buds.

  “Oh hell, I was going to ask if you wanted another one,” Josh laughed.

  “Eff you man.” Luke flipped him the bird. “I’ll remember that the next time we’re in the gym.”

  “Aww, hell. I should have kept my mouth shut.” Josh immediately returned his attention to the ball of dough in front of him. “Since it’s raining and everyone feels like shit, I thought we could hang out here tonight and watch some movies on Netflix.”

  “And eat some of your homemade pizza.” Shelby dotted the tip of Josh’s nose with some flour.

  “Of course, sweets. I can also make one of those cookie desserts, if you want.”

  “I love those.” Shelby stole a pepperoni from one of the pizzas Josh had just set on top of the stove behind him.

  “I saw that.” He pulled the dishtowel off his shoulder and popped Shelby on the butt. She
shrieked and then grabbed his hand, using his palm to rub the pain away. They continued to flirt with each other as Delaney dodged them, carrying a big bowl of soup for Luke.

  “Yours is heating up, Lexi.”

  “Thanks.”

  When the microwave beeped, Raven brought the soup to me along with some crackers. Luke and I sipped the broth and ate our crackers slowly, but managed to finish it. And they were right. It definitely was a cure for hangovers. Although I didn’t feel one-hundred percent better, I did feel functional.

  After everyone ate pizza and Josh’s cookie dessert, with the exception of me and Luke, we watched a scary movie. Throughout the entire movie, I snuggled up to Raven, hiding behind his shoulder and covering my ears with my hands. Watching horror movies was not my thing. I enjoyed sleeping too much to waste it on being scared all night.

  When the movie ended, Shawn walked to the kitchen and returned with a few beers in his hands. He handed one of them to Raven, but before Raven took it, he looked at me. “Do you mind?”

  “We’re staying here, right?”

  “Yeah, we’re not going anywhere, Lexi,” Shawn said, urging him to take it.

  I shrugged. “I don’t care, as long as you don’t leave or get wasted like I did last night.”

  “I’m staying right here, baby. And don’t worry, I’ll only have one or two, tops.”

  “Want one?” Shawn asked, trying to hand me one.

  “No, thanks.” I recoiled at the thought.

  “Sorry.” Shawn patted my shoulder. “Still feeling the effects from last night, huh?”

  I pulled my feet onto the couch and tucked them under me. “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “I’ll take one.” Delaney held out her hand.

  “You want one?” Shawn offered one to Luke.

  “Hell no.” Luke turned his head quicker than I had. Apparently, he felt worse than I did.

  “Anyone up for a little music?” Josh strolled into the living room, strumming his guitar. The strings melded together in beautiful harmony as he moved his head to the beat of the music. I listened intently, trying to place the melody. Finally, I was able to pick out the notes. It was a John Mayer song.

  “Yeah, man, bring it on.” Raven flipped off the TV and we listened to Josh play a few songs. Shelby sat on the floor directly in front of him as he serenaded her. It was really sweet. Raven held me close and we swayed together, relaxing against each other. I waited for him to sing, but he just hummed along as he drank his beer. Luke and Delaney sat curled up together while Shawn and Kyle relaxed on another sofa, sipping their beer.

  “Yay.” I clapped when he stopped. “You play really well.”

  “Thanks. Hey, what can you play on the piano?” Josh motioned with his head to the baby grand in the front sitting area.

  A tingle of excitement filtered through me. “Lots of things.” I smiled. “Hold on a minute.” I ran to our room and retrieved my Kindle. I pulled up a website where I downloaded most of my music. “What can we play together?” I hummed, searching through a few options.

  “I can pick up just about anything.” Josh hit a few chords, showing me his skills.

  “Alright.” I walked to the piano and everyone gathered around. I lifted the fallboard and my fingers hovered over the keys. I took a deep breath. “Give me a few minutes to warm up. It’s been a few months since I’ve played.”

  Delaney mouthed. “Will you be okay?”

  I nodded and shot her a quick wink. I allowed my fingers to take over as they glided up and down the keys. It may have been a few months, but my fingers claimed their territory quickly. What I loved most was the way my ring sparkled as my fingers hit all the right notes.

  “Damn, you’re pretty good,” Josh said, trying to pick up on the melody.

  I laughed. “I’m not playing anything in particular.”

  “What are you going to play for me, baby?” Raven slid in next me, twisting the top off another beer. “Relax. It’s only my second.”

  “And your last?” I asked with a raised brow.

  “Of course.”

  I smiled, hoping he was being honest with me. I wasn’t trying to tell him what to do, just watching out for him like I had promised. “I can play Lean On Me.” I nudged him, hoping he’d recall the first time we sang together. I also wanted to ease the tension building between us.

  He dipped his chin and a wide smiled spread across his face. “I remember that day.”

  “I do, too.” I inclined my head in his direction.

  “I don’t know if I can play that song.” Josh tried a few notes, sounding a little off key. “Do you know any country?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I tend to play more classic rock, top-forties, or oldies — you know, for my parents.” I immediately started playing the intro to one of my dad’s favorite songs by Journey.

  “Oh, yeah.” Josh nodded his head to the beat of the music, picking out the chords rather quickly.

  “I didn’t know you played rock songs.” Raven looked at me.

  “Do you know the words?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Look it up on my Kindle.” I motioned for him to pick it up. “Josh, do you know the words?”

  “Not really, just the chorus.” He repeated the words, closing his eyes as he sang at the top of his lungs. “Shit, I can’t sing like Steve Perry.”

  “Hell, neither can I,” Raven laughed.

  Josh and Raven turned to Luke. “Don’t look at me. She sucked the all music genes from me.”

  “Yeah, but you got the sports talent, leaving me with none,” I reminded him. Everyone laughed. “What about you, Shawn? Kyle?”

  They both shook their heads and lifted their bottles to their mouths. They weren’t even going to try.

  Raven belted out the words and we cheered him on. With a hand pressed to his chest and the other holding my Kindle so he could see the words, he said, “Lexi, I’m forever yours, faithfully.” He sounded nothing like Steve Perry and was seriously off key, but I didn’t care. It was the emotion behind his words that made it so special. I started singing, “Whooa, oh-oh-ooh,” and everyone joined in. We laughed and continued singing, not caring if we hit the right notes.

  “Hey, what about his song?” Josh began to strum the beat of a familiar song.

  “Isn’t that Jeremy Kay?”

  “Yep.” Josh closed his eyes as he sang the lyrics.

  “Do me a favor and look up that song so I can get the chords,” I asked Raven as I tried a few on my own.

  He found the song and then set my Kindle in front of me. “Thanks, babe.” It took me a minute or so, but I finally got the chords down. Before long, we were all swaying side to side and singing at the top our lungs. It was great playing alongside Josh. We were able to follow each other flawlessly. In the end, I played Lean On Me, and everyone joined in, including Luke. It was one of the best times with my friends, brother, and of course, Raven. The memories we made, were ones I’d never forget. Raven had definitely made it the best Spring Break ever.

  Just as we wrapped up the song, we heard a bunch of racket. “What is that?

  “Are those gun shots?” Shawn turned his head, searching for the direction of the noise.

  “It’s fireworks.” I pointed outside, catching a quick glimpse of a spray of flickering lights.

  Raven got up from the piano bench and I followed him. Peering out the window, we saw a group of people on the beach. “Someone’s popping fireworks.”

  “This is private property.” Josh removed the strap of his guitar from around his neck and set it against the wall.

  “I’ll go with you,” Raven said, following him to the back door, still carrying his beer in his hand.

  “Me, too,” Shawn quickly added. Luke and Kyle followed behind them while us girls watched from inside.

  “I hope they don’t get into a fight.” Shelby chewed on the edge of her nail. “Josh has been drinking all day.”

  “He didn’t seem d
runk.” I crossed my arms, keeping one eye on what was going on outside, while looking at Shelby.

  “It usually sneaks up on him. And when it does, he’s hot-headed.” She lifted to the tips of her toes so she could see over the fence at the edge of the Marshall’s property.

  “I’m glad Luke is a happy drunk,” Delaney said, pressing her hands against the glass. “But tonight, he’s not drunk. And that’s what worries me.”

  I laughed. “If I wouldn’t have seen it with my own eyes, I would have pegged him for being an angry drunk.”

  “Really, why?” Shelby asked, pulling a chair to the window and standing on it.

  “My brother is more introverted and analytical. Sometimes it can be interpreted as being angry.”

  “You’ve got that right,” Delaney huffed. “Sometimes, when he’s only had a few drinks, he gets pissy, like he did at the bowling alley.”

  I didn’t comment. I knew why Luke reacted the way he had, I just didn’t want to bring it up. If Delaney hadn’t been sleeping with so many guys, especially one of Luke’s teammates, then he wouldn’t have got into that fight.

  “I couldn’t figure him out when we first met.” Delaney rolled her eyes. “It took a while. I guess I should have just asked you.”

  “By the way, you never told me how you two hooked up. I know I introduced you to him, but when did you guys start talking?”

  Delaney wrapped her arms around her body, her face bubbling up in elation. “It was at—”

  “Oh shit. That guy just hit Josh.” Shelby jumped off the chair, knocking it down in the process.

  “Damn it!” I screamed as we darted out the door. Something deep inside the pit of my stomach told me this was going to end badly. Why didn’t I tell Raven not to drink? I should have taken the beer bottle from his hand before he followed Josh.

  We rounded the pool and flew down the stairs to the beach. Three guys stood face to face with Raven, Luke, and Kyle. And by the looks of it, they weren’t ready to play ball. Even though it was dark, I could see the tattoos covering their arms and legs. Except, these tattoos weren’t attractive. These were the kind a person received while in prison. To the right, another guy hovered over a piece of wood covered with tubes and rockets. There was enough firepower lined up along the beach for a small show. It was scary to see them pointed directly toward the house. “Raven, don’t!” I pleaded as I stumbled through the thick sand. “Let’s just go back inside.”