Scoring Wilder(27)

“Just to let you know, you guys are seriously going down,” Becca taunted.

I groaned. "Becca, you'll have to drink all of our beer or I won’t be able to drive us home."

She eyed the half-full cups on the table. “But, that's a ton of beer."

I winked. "Well we'll have to win so that you aren't completely shitfaced after this game."

"All right, you go first," she motioned, and I turned to prep for my shot. The ping pong ball left my hand and sailed over the table and straight into Paul's chest, right smack dab in the center of his Beers, Guns & Women shirt. Lovely. How had I missed that little gem before? Oh right, Becca’s boob debacle.

"Sorry!" I laughed, covering my mouth and internally cringing.

"I thought you said ‘we were going down’?" Jace laughed, taking his turn and sinking his ping pong ball in the first cup. Becca gave me the stink eye and reached forward to down the first cup of beer.

That's how the game went. Becca and I would sink a ball every now and then, but the boys beat us hands down, and Becca was on her way to being plastered by the time the game ended.

"I wish I could say you guys were good competition, but that was pitiful," Jace laughed, eyeing Becca with interest.

"We should have upped the ante!" Becca exclaimed. "Next round, winner takes all. You guys can have Kinsley's car and my virg—."

"Woah, hold on,” I said, clasping my hand over her mouth. “Let's not put my car up for collateral just yet," I laughed, letting my hand slide away only after I was confident she could contain her word vomit.

"Hey, Sofie! Look who's here," Tara's voice rang out behind me.

Becca and I spun around to find the seniors in a line facing us with their arms crossed. I had to blink to make sure I wasn’t just making the situation more comical in my head. Who actually lines up like that in real life? Had they coordinated their “mean girl” poses before this moment or was this just all impromptu? “No, damnit, Sofie. You can’t cross your arms, I’m crossing my arms!”

"Whattup, ladies!" Becca broke the tension with her tipsiness, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yikes, Becca. Drunk already? Sheesh." Tara rolled her eyes and I wanted to defend my friend. “And what’s with the bib?”

"She's just being funny. She's not drunk." Sure, Becca was tipsy, but Tara was just trying to embarrass her in front of Paul and Jace.

"You know, Becca, drinking problems usually start in college," Tara said with a piteous look. "You should be extra careful. You don't want to get fat from all that alcohol."

Becca stepped forward, and I put my hand up to grab her arm. "We'll be sure to remember that, Tara," I answered with a fake smile, trying to salvage the moment even though I wanted nothing more than to stoop to her level.

"We'll see you guys later," I finished before anyone else could get a word in. I pulled Becca away from the beer pong tables and prayed that the guys would follow after us. I didn't want the seniors to ruin Becca's chance with Jace. He’d been more than interested before they showed up, bib and all. Oh, that reminds me.

I reached over and pulled up the bib. “All right, you’re all dry now. You can take the bib off.”

She tore the plastic from around her neck and dropped it in a trash can. We were almost inside when I turned to check if Paul and Jace were following us. Nope. Tara and Sofie had already started chatting them up. What the hell?

"I seriously hate those two. They're not nice girls, Kinsley," Becca huffed, pulling open the back door.

"I know, they're bitches. Don't let them bother you. Let's go to the bathroom really quick and freshen up.” I threw an arm around her shoulder and gave her a side hug.

We pushed our way to the bathroom, and by the time we got there, Becca was hopping back and forth on her toes because she had to pee so badly. I let her go first, and she swore she’d wait for me outside after she finished. I was inside the bathroom for two minutes tops, but by the time I came out, she was gone.

"Damnit, Becca," I groaned, pushing my way through bodies, trying to spy her blonde hair. The party was starting to fill with people, much more so than when we first arrived. I had a slight panic attack thinking that she could have been shoved into one of the bedrooms, Taken-style, but then when I got to the living room I spied her talking with Jace in the far corner. Take that, Tara.

I stood there watching them for a second, trying to assess how drunk Becca was. I’d say she was about a five on the I-might-throw-up-on-your-shoes scale. Watch out, Jace. I shoved over to the side against the wall and looked around for the club soccer girls from earlier, but of course now that I was desperate, I couldn’t find them. So I did what any self-respecting person would do, I leaned my shoulder against the wall, pretending to check my phone. The music was loud and there were enough people around me that it sort of looked like I belonged. Says the lonely girl to herself.

I thought about wandering back out toward the beer pong tables, but then I felt a warm hand hit the small of my back in a way that made my breathing hitch. I turned to look over my shoulder and found Liam standing behind me wearing a confused scowl.

My heart screeched to a stop and my loins jumped for joy.

I assumed he wouldn’t be at the party since I hadn’t seen him earlier. But now he was standing right in front of me, in all of his glory, and I could smell his cologne and yes, his hand was still on my back so that he was basically holding me against him.