The Shadows Of Yesterday

The Shadows Of Yesterday {19}

"Ugh, this music," I said, wishing I'd brought earplugs.

"You're such an old man," Seth said, pushing another drink into my hands since I'd ditched my last one somewhere. "Here, I want you good and drunk by the end of the night."

"I hate beer, and I'm not drinking the punch," I said.

"It's vodka," Brynn said. "I made the drinks myself."

I sniffed the drink cautiously. Definitely smelled less severe than the punch we'd been lingering by earlier. I took a sip, choked down the cheap vodka, and accepted this was my fate.

"Brynn's friends with one of the dudes who lives here," Seth said. "She's got us connections with their stash."

"Cheap stash, mind you," Brynn said.

"Well, duh, it's a fucking sports house, Brynn," Seth said.

"Don't take drinks from anyone but me," Brynn said, sipping her own drink. "They were slipping Everclear in them at the last party and then convincing the blackouts to streak to the market. Ruined the party. Cops were swarming the streets."

"I think I remember that. They busted the wrong party," Seth said. "Hilarious, but still a pain in the ass trying to sneak out of here."

"I doubt they'd do it again, but you never know," Brynn said with a shrug. "I'll get us refills."

"Joy," I said, choking down more of the cheap vodka mix in my cup. "Jeez, Brynn, you could've put a little more soda in this to hide how cheap the liquor is."

"Beggars can't be choosers. Besides, I ran out of Sprite and couldn't find more," she said.

"Bitch later," Seth said, patting me on the shoulder. "Drink now."

"Cheers," I said, lifting my cup but not taking another sip. Had to let the lingering traces of my last swig slide down my throat first.

"They've got pong in the dining room, flip cup in the kitchen, and kings in the living room," Brynn said. "Choose your poison."

"Kings," Seth said, taking her hand and tugging us to the living room. "Best to start with that while we're still sober enough to remember the rules."

"Speak for yourself," I said. "I always forget the rules."

"Then sit next to me and I'll refresh you until I'm too slammed to remember myself," Seth said.

I miserably followed him into the living room, where Seth claimed us a spot on the couch. He effortlessly inserted himself into the conversation happening around us, and by extension, the game itself. I had cards in my hand without even seeing who put them there.

I played mindlessly, drinking when I had to and scanning the party for an excuse to escape when it wasn't my turn. Something told me Seth was going to make me stay at this party all night. If Brynn didn't want to leave, Seth wouldn't, either.

"Jeremy? That IS Jeremy!"

My eyes widened in surprise as I turned my head. Brooks came over to me, pushing two drunk guys out of the way to reach me. Nicky was trying to follow her, cursing to himself as he dodged between people.

"Jeremy!" Brooks said triumphantly, grabbing my arm and trying to tug me off the couch. "I told Nicky it was you! Come on, come on, we're playing pong in the dining room."

"Oh, uh." I glanced nervously at Seth. Not really how I wanted him to know about the people I'd been spending time with. "We're...playing...kings?"

"Yea, you sound thrilled to be doing that," Brooks said.