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There are only a few people here I recognize, but I don’t need people I know in order to have a good time. I could be placed in a room full of strangers and still have the most epic night. It’s one of my many talents. Like my father, my mother always told me I’m a total extrovert. I do, however, enjoy my own company and sometimes prefer that, but I draw my energy from large groups of people.
The restaurant is cute and has been designed to create a mini-club vibe, and it’s often rented out for special events. Idon’t know whose birthday this party is for, and I don’t care. There aren’t many guest lists I can’t get on.
I spot Makayla straight away, Jared basically attached to her hip. I don’t know why those two stay together. They’re always cheating on each other, hooking up with complete strangers to make each other jealous. Yet they always work their way back to one other, even knowing how toxic it is. I told her what I thought about it once, and I’ve never bothered to repeat it because it’s not my life.
Jared notices me first and immediately pulls me in for a hug. “It’s been a while. We’ve missed you. You’ve been quiet on the town lately,” he says, and before I can reply, Makayla pushes Jared out of the way and screams so loudly that we both cringe from what might be close to a pierced eardrum. She throws her arms around me, the force of her embrace causing me to take a couple of steps back. I quickly realize how drunk she is already.
“I’ve missed you,” she slurs in her British accent.
“She’s already ten shots in,” Jared explains. Then he motions to the guy next to him. “This is my friend Lester.”
Makayla steps back and looks at me seriously without giving me time to greet their friend. “You have to catch up,” she demands as she grabs a shot glass from the table they’re sitting at and hands it to me.
“Don’t have to tempt me with a good time,” I reply, then throw it back. She claps loudly as she grabs a second shot glass, and I hold up a hand.
“Let me breathe first,” I say. She might be ten in already, but I want to at least enjoy the taste of a drink. The night’s young, and I want to savor it as I circle the room and see who grabs my attention.
“Ohhhh, any new boys on the radar for you?” she asks, leaning into me as if I’m harboring a great secret, and begins toscan the room. Jared doesn’t seem impressed but takes a seat beside me with a group of people I haven’t yet met.
“Ewww. We fuckmen, Makayla,” I tell her with raised brows. “And, no, I’m not seeing anyone exclusively.”
One thing I’ve noticed about my college friends, especially my fellow party girls, is the moment they shack up with someone, they ask when everyone else will be in a relationship. And then it’s like they try to relive their glory days through me while pitying me at the same time. I really don’t give a shit about any of it, though. I’m grateful I don’t have to deal with that from Billie and Hope.
“But you want to be?” she asks. That’s when I notice her eyes are dilated. Okay, maybe she’s done more than just drink. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried party drugs before, but I’ve never been dependent on them to have fun. Makayla looks like she’s pumped full of them right now.
I go to tell her no, but then her hands are on my face again. “Oh my God! I have the perfect idea,” she squeals, and Jared rolls his eyes, obviously exhausted.
Makayla grabs my hand, then glances around the table, realizing it’s full of empty glasses. Then, she looks behind her at a table with a half-full wine glass on it.
“I just need to borrow this for a sec,” she says, swiping it from someone who looks at her confused but says nothing. It’s the usual reaction when Makayla is up to her antics.
She places it in front of me and then scoots Jared’s glass of whiskey closer.
“Now, you hold this, and you hold this,” she instructs. Jared is now holding the whiskey glass, and my fingers dance at the base of the wine glass. “We’re going to play a game. Jared, get closer to her.”
He shoots me a puzzled look but does as she says, and I wonder where she’s going with this. I’m all for games and pranks, but Makayla’s are sometimes… not fun.
“I played this game with Jared once,” she says proudly, and he rolls his eyes.
She reaches for my purse, and I pull it out of her grasp.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I need your phone. Trust me.” I don’t trust her, but I’m also curious. “Unlock it, please.”
Jared takes a sip of his drink and casually asks me, “How long are you in town for this time?”
“I live here now,” I tell him, and he pauses his glass at his lips. “I’m still traveling a lot, though.”
“She’s been complaining about you not coming out much lately,” he says as Makayla stands behind us and clears her throat.
“Cozy up and keep the hands close,” she directs as she takes a photo of only our drinks and hands, then posts it to my Instagram story, along with a tag of our location.
From an outsider looking at the photo, it appears like I’m on a date with a mystery man.
“Why did you do that?” I ask, and she bounces between us, shuffling to sit on Jared’s lap and then winding her arms around his neck. She’s chuffed with herself.
“Well, I like to call it dick roulette. The guys on your account who are obsessed with you will most likely arrive, and it’ll be entertainment for us. And, bonus, you’ll get laid. Win-win.” She claps her hands excitedly. I look to Jared, who shrugs and wraps an arm around Makayla’s waist. She reaches for another shot and sets it in front of me, and I decide to make more room for them by sitting on the other side of their friend, Lester.