Page 95 of Fly's Path

The truth of those words grips my heart like a vise, taking my breath away.

He turns back, grabbing something from the cooler before twisting back to face me, all while I try to find a way to breathe again. Lifting the wine glass, he starts to fill it from a thermos.

“Chocolate milk. You brought us chocolate milk for our date.”

“How else could I fairly decide if I like it?” He winks. “The store had several flavors, so I thought I would start with a chocolate milk and cookie flight.”

“You’re perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

Drugs and Booze

Vandal

The DJ started up ten minutes before the party officially started, and I feel every one of those minutes throbbing in the back of my skull.

What did I ever see in this party lifestyle?

The booze is flowing, people are dancing—more like gyrating on my living room floor—and there is laughter and joy all around me, but all I can think is I wish I was with Lola.

Thankfully, all I need to do is look bored and uninterested to keep my persona going. I’m both of those now in spades.

A half-drunk girl starts dancing her way towards me. She thinks she’s seducing me with her eyes in a way that only a drunkperson could believe to be sexy. I turn my head when she smiles at me, hoping that she chooses another target.

A few minutes later, a body plops into my lap. “Hello, sexy. Wannas buy me a dwink?”

“Drinks here are free. It’s a party, not a club. Now get off of me.”

“Wanna make owt.”

Gross. “No, get off me. This is your last warning.”

“Don’t you wike me?” She reaches up to thread her fingers through my hair and slaps me instead. “We awr in wove.”

I shove her off my lap. “Try anything again, and I’ll have you kicked out.”

That stuns her slightly sober. “You could have just said no.”

“No. Now go away.” I turn my head and lift my glass to my lips. If Chad doesn’t show up, I’m going to lose my mind soon. Would it be in character for me to leave my own party?

What is Lola doing? Probably sitting in the library surrounded by a dozen books and plates full of snacks. I should be there with her. Or out on a date with her. Where am I going to take her for our first date?

It needs to be epic.

But not too showy.

Lola won’t like me spending crazy money on her.

Maybe something silly and fun, like a fair or an amusement park. Or a Renaissance festival—don’t they only have those in the summer, though? Probably.

She’s going to expect me to have a plan the next time I see her. Or at least a date or time.

Why is this so hard? I’ve dated plenty of women in my life.

But none of them mattered. Dinner at a nice restaurant was good enough.

Dinner won’t cut it with her. She deserves more.

But what?