Liars and Losers Like Us(53)

Kallie laughs and tells Sean to check it out and keep an eye on everyone out back while we rush upstairs to drop off our bags.





TWENTY-THREE


11:11. Make a wish. I glare at my cell phone for the umpteenth time. I wish Kyle would leave so I can get the hell out of this stinky closet. It’s been about fifteen minutes already. I’m in the lavender and moth-ball infused walk-in closet of the Vate guest room, scrunched up behind a wall of puffy coats with my backpack and phone. Kallie’s party was fun while it lasted.

No one figured Kallie’s older brother would drive over to check up on her. Me and Kallie should know better. How did we not plan on this happening? Kyle only lives twenty minutes away and there’s no way her parents would’ve left town without some sort of backup. Her brother’s pretty cool, but not that cool.

During our smoking phase he was the one who bought us the cigarettes, but when he turned twenty-one he made it clear that if Kal wanted to drink illegally, he wouldn’t be making any beer runs.

I don’t even know where Sean is. Once the doorbell rang and Kallie peeked through the window, she mazed back through the house like a rabid rat. She ran to the back porch with the loudest whispered scream I’d ever heard.

“Everyone get outta here! My brother’s here! GO GO GOOOOOO!” Then she rushed back to unlock the front door, whispering for me to run upstairs and hide.

Buzzzz. My phone blinks with a text: KALLIE VATE.

OMG Kyle is pissed & making sure everybody is gone! SORRY!!!! Where RU guys?

I text back. I’m hiding in a closet!!!! WTF!? When is he leaving??!! My phone goes Shwoop after I hit Send.

Buzzzz.

As soon as he clears the house. At least he’s going back home! LOL U OK?

Again: KALLIE VATE.

AAAAHHHH He just dumped our white drink!! NO!!!! I’ll let U know when he leaves

I text back: I’m ok! Oh no! I didn’t even get to try it. Waaaah!

Shwoop.

I hit the screen again to text Sean.

Hey! Where R U?

Shwoop.

Buzzzz. SEAN MILLS.

In Kals closet Can I come out yet?

I type back: NO!!!! Her bro is still here!

Shwoop.

Buzzzz. SEAN again.

Where RU?

I text back: I’m upstairs too. In guest rm closet! HA! Great minds think alike

Shwoop.

Buzzzz. SEAN.

Not alike enough. Ur so close but so far away. I’ll find you

I text back: OMG PLZ DON’T GET CAUGHT!

Shwoop.

My heart picks up the pace and I fan myself with the neckline of my collar. After five minutes or so I hear loud footsteps and the closet door jerks open.

“Anyone in here?” It’s Kyle’s voice. I stop breathing and moving. The door closes and the footsteps fade away. About two minutes later, the door swooshes open again and then a whisper.

“Breeze?”

“Sean?” I whisper back.

“No, it’s Brian. I think you’re hot for a high schooler and came to play seven minutes in heaven.”

I stifle a giggle.

“I’m back here,” I whisper, “around the corner behind the coats.”

“Scoot over smalls,” Sean whispers, his hand gliding down my bare arm. “Nice hiding spot.”

“You were so close to getting caught. Kyle was here like two seconds ago.”

“Yeah, I know. I heard him coming and literally dove under the bed. Dude, this closet smells like my grandma’s house—sad thing is, it’s also about the same size as her entire house.”

“So, about that seven minutes in heaven?” I tap my wrist although I’m not wearing a watch and it’s pitch-black in here.

Sean’s hand travels up my arm, over to my sides. His fingers graze my face and then his lips are on mine. The scent of him—sandalwood and faintly, Kallie’s punch, dizzies me. I kiss him back until my breathing starts to get maybe too loud for the closet. Exhaling, I lean away and reach into my bag for the wine.

“Look what I got.” I hold up the bottle.

“I can’t see. What is it?”

“Wine. Want some?” I ask.

“You brought wine?” His phone clicks and he holds the screen, shining a faint light onto the bottle. “Nice label. ‘Black Heart, Red Ruby Wine.’ Scandalous. I thought you didn’t drink.”

“Touché. I don’t usually drink. But when I do, I drink wine. In closets.” I twist the cork but it doesn’t budge.

“Hold up the light on your phone,” I tell Sean. He clicks the light on and I give the cork a twist and hard pull until it finally pops out with a plunk. I take a swig. It’s cool, then warm going down my throat into my stomach. “Whew. That’s kinda strong. But not terrible. Want some?”

“Sure,” says Sean, putting his hand over mine, then taking the bottle. Are we going to play a drinking game?”

“Well, since watching people play beer pong all night did get a little boring, I might be up for it.”

“Mostly boring,” says Sean. “But how funny was it when Justin and Molly lost and had to jump in the lake?”

“Almost as funny as watching Kallie going hard core PDA with Todd whenever Molly was within four feet. Even though Molly doesn’t seem to care anymore. I’m so glad Jane didn’t show up. That would’ve made for an even more awkward addition to the Todd love triangle. Or square or whatever shape it is these days.”