“Wow. Seems like I know how to run them off.”

“They’re dicks.” Eric took another swig of his beer.

“That’s true.” She playfully looked up at him. “So, apparently, I’m picky, I have expensive taste, and I wouldn’t slum it with just anyone. I’ve never heard so many compliments come out of your mouth in one go, E.”

He groaned and rolled his eyes. “I should have known you had somehow been listening in. I never would have defended your honor.”

“Yes, because I am a damsel in distress and need you to defend my virginal virtue,” she joked.

“Virginal virtue?” He immediately doubled over and laughed. “Those are two words I’d never use to describe you.”

Bryna shrugged. “I own it.”

“You do.”

“Anyway, what is this I hear about you being too busy to date?” she teased. Her buzz was starting to hit her, and it felt glorious.

“Yep. Too busy.” He shrugged. “I’m not interested in anyone anyway.”

“Oh, I understand that.” It was funny how they were able to have these private conversations in the middle of a crowded party, and no one would think any differently. “Just like the guys giving you a hard time about us not fucking, the girls have been doing the same with me.”

“Seriously, did you hear everything?”

“Hard to miss it when you all were so loud.” She poked at him. “Anyway, you don’t have to hide anything from me. I know all your deep, dark secrets. You could tell me if you were dating someone.”

She fluttered her eyes at him. He didn’t talk about that kind of shit, and she was damn curious.

“If you know all my secrets, then you know that shit is too complicated.”

“Suit yourself,” she said. “Everyone needs to get laid.”

“I think you do that enough for the both of us.”

“Hardly,” she said.

She could never have enough sex. She was already horny again and wouldn’t see Hugh for another week.

“I’m like Scarlett O’Hara. I need to be fucked and often and by someone who knows how.”

“I believe the quote is kissed,” he said, trying to hide his laughter.

“Yeah, but I’m modernizing. You know she was just a slutty gold digger and pissed because she couldn’t marry her cousin.”

“At least she gives me hope that you won’t always be this crazy,” he said.

“She gives me hope that I’ll always be beautiful. She’s the queen of resting bitch face.”

Eric shook his head and habitually pushed a stray lock of hair off her forehead. “You already know you’ll always be beautiful, Bri. One day, you might let people see that it’s more than just skin deep.”

BRYNA FELT A BLUSH CREEP UP to her cheeks. She had no idea why. She never blushed. “Well, I’ve clearly fooled you into thinking so,” she quipped.

He rolled his eyes and retreated. “Come on, drunkie. Let’s get you back to your girls. I can’t steal you away from your very own party.”

They retreated back to the center of the party where she did technically belong. Though she hadn’t minded hanging out and talking to Eric. She pretty much never minded that now.

The word had gotten out about the party, and soon, it was jam-packed with all sorts of students and not just jocks. Bryna was too far gone to even care at this point. The more, the merrier.

As night fell and intoxication took over, everyone lost themselves to the party as quickly as they’d lost their inhibitions. People were dancing on the lawn, fondling each other in the pool, making out in corners. All-around debauchery had ensued.

She grabbed Eric out of the crowd and forced him to dance with her, Trihn, and Stacia. He obliged them after she’d pleaded with him. It was wonderful when he couldn’t refuse her.

“Is Neal ever coming back?” Bryna asked into Trihn’s ear. She was in the middle of the sandwich of dancers.

Trihn shrugged with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. He’s been so weird all night.”

“What the fuck? It’s a party. Tell him to come party.”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t really like the scene.”

“The scene?” Bryna asked in exasperation. “This is college. Welcome to the scene.”

“I know. He’s so ridiculous. He thinks you and Stacia are bad influences.”

“What? Is he your mother now?”

“I don’t know.”

Trihn stopped dancing in the middle of the lawn. She looked drawn. She always wore all her emotions on her sleeve. Even though she was a strong, powerful woman with success in her own right before she’d even turned eighteen, she still let everyone else’s feelings influence her. Sometimes, Bryna wanted to shake her and tell her not to take that shit, but she could only do so much. So, she would be here to support her friend.

“Maybe you should talk to him,” Bryna suggested.

“He’s just sitting over there.” Trihn pointed at a lawn chair.

“It’ll help.”

“Come with me?”

“Of course.”

Bryna knew she wasn’t the type of person to bring along when a gentle touch was needed. Trihn must be really pissed off.

Bryna leaned her head back on Eric’s chest and murmured in his ear, “We’re going to talk to Neal.”

“Everything okay?”

“No. He’s acting like a dick.”

“Want me to come with?” he asked.

She stared up into his hazel eyes and smiled. She was drunk, and she could feel it by the way her body was responding to his nearness.

“Phrasing. Are we doing phrasing?” she joked to clear her mind. She straightened up.

Eric laughed. “Let’s go, Bryna.”

Trihn grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the crowd of dancers. Bryna’s other hand slipped easily into Eric’s, and he followed. Once she was out of the crowd, she quickly released him.

“Hey,” Trihn said, standing in front of Neal.

He had his cell phone out and seemed to be aimlessly scrolling. “What’s up?” he asked.

“Do you want to go dance?”

“You know I really hate crowds.”

“Oh,” she said. Trihn looked back at Bryna with her eyes wide.

Bryna probably shouldn’t intervene, but she couldn’t help herself. “Then, why are you at a party?”

He looked up at her from his phone. “Because my girlfriend told me I had to go since you’re her best friend.”

“I did not say you had to go. I wanted you here!” Trihn said.

“Yeah, and that translates into me having to show up to another mindless party with a bunch of jocks who hate my very existence,” Neal complained.

“No one hates you!” Trihn cried. “You’re blowing this way out of proportion.”

“Right,” he said dismissively. He looked back down at his phone.

Bryna glared at him. “Maybe you should talk to your girlfriend instead of ignoring her.”

Neal pushed himself to his feet in one quick move. “Maybe you should mind your own fucking business. You’re the only reason she comes to these fucking things. She’s not a party girl. She’s an artist.”

Bryna stared at him as if he had grown horns. “Why can’t she be both?” she spat.

“You force her into these situations. I have no idea why she’s even friends with you and Stacia. You’re forcing her to be this person she isn’t.”

“No one is forcing me to do anything!” Trihn said.

Bryna couldn’t take it. “The Trihn I know is most definitely a party girl, but she’s also a model, an artist, a fashion guru, a hopeless romantic, a dancer, and so much more. If you can’t see that, then you’re missing out.”

“Whatever,” he said.

“If you can’t see that, then maybe you should leave,” Trihn said impulsively. “You don’t want to be here with me anyway.”

“All right. I guess I will then,” Neal responded. He glared at the trio of us standing there and stalked toward the door.