Page 114 of Baby Girl
“Fuck off, Green. She’s with me.”
I lean to the side to see what’s happening, and Will must sense the movement because he reaches back for me, his hand landing on my hip.
Green holds his hands up, a bottle of beer hanging loosely from his fingers. He tips it in Will’s direction. “Good pick, man. The others are really gonna like ’er.”
And then another burp. Fucking disgusting.
I reach up and place a hand on his back, wanting to provide support or comfort or something. Because that’s what people do, right?
“I think there is a wet T-shirt competition starting up out the back,” Will suggests, clearly trying to distract this Green guy.
As I’m sure Will predicted, Green’s eyes light up like a kid’s in a candy store. He doesn’t even bother to say goodbye to me before he spins around and leaves, almost falling into a couple making out against the wall down the hallway as he goes.
Will’s back flexes under my palm, then he slowly turns around to face me, his features rearranging themselves into a smile. “Hey, Ems.”
His eyes widen as he shifts back a step and takes in my blonde hair, figure-hugging pink dress, and heels. I take his distraction to check out his outfit and, damn, he really got his Ken right.
Caramel knit button-up with white hems along the button line, pale blue shorts, and white loafers with no socks.
When I finally make it up to his perfectly styled Ken hair and smiling face, I can’t help but hit him with a smirk. “Hey, Classic Ken.”
His grin turns to a laugh. “Hey, Classic Barbie. Let’s go party?”
Will gestures behind him, indicating past the dance floor. Before I respond, I turn to talk to Oakley and find her in a conversation with a Disco Barbie. No, wait. They aren’t talking, they’resigning. Huh. I had no idea she could sign.
I lean in and touch her elbow, gently interrupting their conversation. “Oaks, Will found me, I’m going to go with him.”
Her gaze darts over my shoulder, and her eyes widen before she nods and crowds in close so she can talk straight into my ear. “Firstly, Classic Ken is hot. Secondly, message me before you leave the party, no matter what, okay? Even if it’s with him.”
Pulling back, I nod, then smile and wave as Will takes my hand and leads us through the partygoers.
When we make it into the next room, which turns out to be a massive kitchen, the volume immediately becomes more tolerable. My head feels like it’s on a swivel as I take in the massive space that is basically one giant bar at the moment. Theisland in the middle has more alcohol on it than I have ever seen in one place, and there are actual red plastic cups everywhere.
For some reason, I always assumed they were a movie prop favorite, but nope. Turns out they are a real thing.
This room is also incredibly crowded, but the vibe of the people is different. It’s also mostly Kens. Very big Kens, so I’m assuming they are all jocks.
“Pledge Alderidge, who’s your friend?” a guy who looks like a carbon copy of Will calls out from where he is leaning against a counter.
He’s surrounded by a bunch of guys who all turn to look at me.
Will stiffens but leans down to whisper in my ear. “That’s my brother.”
“Like, actual brother or frat brother?” I ask.
“Both. He’s also the president of the frat, but thankfully not my assigned Big Bro.” Will straightens and tugs me to his side, but also keeps his body in front of mine. “Emery, meet my brother, Michael.”
Michael’s gaze tracks down my body, and something about it makes my stomach twist, so all I offer him back is a wave. I’m not aware that I’m squeezing Will’s hand until he pulls our linked hands into view of the others and rubs his thumb back and forth over our knuckles.
There is a weird tension in the air as Michael’s gaze lands on our hands. It’s like everyone is collectively holding their breaths, but eventually, he smiles and gestures at a doorway I hadn’t noticed before. “Beer pong is about to start. Why don’t you take Emery in there for a game? Keep her away from the…team.”
Something is happening right now, but I have no idea what. All I know is that getting out of this room with its overwhelming testosterone sounds fucking great.
Will doesn’t respond to his brother, but he does take his advice and leads me out of the kitchen and into the next room, where, yep, beer pong.
“Nicholas! You came!”
And just like that, the tension is gone. Vinnie swoops in and squeezes me in a tight hug before depositing me back on my feet and stepping back to give me a once-over while I take in his Beach Ken outfit of nothing but boardshorts.
