Don't Hate the Player...Hate the Game(65)

“Whoa, whoa, wait a minute! You can’t tell your dad you’re going to a party at Blaine’s. He’ll never let you out of his sight.”

“Duh, I realize that. I’m going to tell him you’re taking me to the movies, and then I’m going to spend the night with Mandy.”

My eyes widened in horror. “You’re going to lie to Pastor Dan about where you’re going?”

“Yeah.”

“What about that speech you gave me awhile back about them trusting you and all?” I shook my head in disbelief. “I think I’ve corrupted you or something.” Although a large portion of me was doing a fist pump of pride at Maddie’s new rebellious behavior, the other part felt horrible that it was because of me that she wanted to do some naughty things. I mean, she’d definitely been making an impact on me for the better, but I shouldn’t be leading her astray.

Maddie laughed at my expression. “Noah, I don’t think one little white lie isn’t going to kill me!”

“It’s not just a white lie. What about the other night at karaoke?”

Her eyes widened in horror. “You promised not to ever mention that!”

“I’m not mentioning it…I’m just reminding you,” I replied, lamely.

Maddie shook her head. “I don’t need reminding.” She glanced over to where her father stood. “I’ll meet you back here in just a minute, okay?”

With a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach, I watched her practically skip away—the virginal good girl off to lie to her holy father. Oh, shit, this couldn’t be good.

***

Chapter Twenty

The party started just after dark and conveniently after Mr. and Mrs. Johnson left for the airport. When I parked the Jeep, I glanced over at Maddie. “I just want to prepare you for some of the things you’re gonna see tonight.”

“I’m not a baby, Noah,” she snapped.

“Okay, okay,” I muttered as I hopped out of the Jeep. She may have been putting on a brave front, but she would see. I’d just wait to see her reaction when a couple started going at it in front of her and na**d people were running around. Then she’d be singing a different tune.

We’d barely made it to the bonfire by the pond before Callie, the girl who I dated most of 10th grade, thrust two beers in our hands. “It’s so good to see you, Noah,” she slurred.

“Um, yeah, good seeing you too.”

Although she was standing with her latest flame, Callie inched closer to me. “Man, we had some good times together, didn’t we?”

I shifted nervously on my feet—scared of what direction the conversation might be headed in. “Yeah, we did.”

Running her finger down my chest, Callie shopped at the waistband of my shorts. “Do you remember that camping trip when we went skinny dipping, and we got all those splinters from screwing on Old Man Bradford’s dock?”

Maddie squeaked beside me, and I knew it was time to get the hell out of there. “Yeah, good seeing you,” I muttered before taking Maddie’s arm and leading her away. Once we put enough distance between Callie and the ghosts of my sexual past, I turned to Maddie. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay,” she murmured. She was eying the plastic cup in her hand suspiciously.

“You don’t have to drink anything tonight.”

She eyed me before downing half the cup. “Refreshing,” she replied, her body shuddering as the alcohol hit her stomach.

I rolled my eyes. “Come on,” I said. Even in their drunken stupor, kids were shocked to see Maddie at the party. One guy stopped us. “Hey, I know you,” he slurred. “You’re that smart girl. What the hell are you doing here?”

Before I could say anything, Maddie stepped forward. “I was invited.”

The guy raised his eyebrows. “Cool. Wanna another beer?”

“Sure,” Maddie replied.

“Awesome!” he said. He glanced at me before giving Maddie a seductive grin. “If you’re not with him, maybe we could go somewhere and talk?”

Maddie shook her head furiously from side to side. “No, no, we’re definitely together.” At her declaration, my brows shot up in surprise. She smiled sweetly at the drunken asshat before replying, “Thanks for the beer.” She quickly pulled me away.

“So we’re together huh?” I questioned.

Tilting her head, she replied, “It’s the truth, isn’t it? I mean, I did come here with you.”

I bobbed my head while fighting not to say, Yeah, but that’s not exactly what I hoped your statement meant.

After she took two long, lingering sips, I sighed. “Uh, don’t you think you need to take it a little slow—you know considering you’ve never had alcohol before?”

“I’ll be fine,” she snapped, shooting me an exasperated expression.

When I saw Presley cutting through the crowd towards me, I cringed. I’d avoided her at all costs since that night at her house, but it looked like I wasn’t going to be able to get away this time.

She smiled hesitantly at me. “Noah, can I talk to you?”

The usual plastic cup was missing from her hand, and there was an unusual sincerity in her voice. I glanced over at Maddie. “Um, I guess so. But only for a minute.” As I started into the brush with Presley, I turned back to Maddie. “Stay right here, okay?”