Don’t Let Go

17. Tyler

17

Tyler

After three hours of hanging out, Iris claimed she needed to go home and work on an important class project. I didn’t know her to care enough to dive into a project, especially one for science, but who was I to judge? Maybe without me there, she’s more into her studies?

Her lie exploded when I saw her Insta account later that night. She always had to check-in and post selfies to her social media, and Insta had her favorite filters. I clicked on the hashtag and learned my so-called friends were at Andrew’s party tonight.

Usually, when there was a party, there was a game. I looked up Lincoln High’s schedule, and sure enough, there was a game tonight, and Lincoln killed it, winning by twelve points.

So much for the mantra once a Lincoln tiger, always a Lincoln tiger.

I hit myself on the forehead with an open palm.

Fuck it.

It was time to crash that party. My boys and Iris needed to remember who the hell I was. If it wasn’t for me, Lincoln High would be nowhere near the championships four years in a row.

I changed out of my baggy sweats and pulled on some jeans and a black tee. I grabbed my keys and opened my bedroom window.

It had to be around eleven o’clock, and Sofia and Rory weren’t home yet. Everyone else was, and I didn’t want them questioning where I was going. My best option was to escape out of the window. I rolled my shoulders and jumped off the ledge. Rory was right. That jump was nothing.

I started my Rolls-Royce and backed out as fast as possible before the engine or headlights alerted anyone. The highway was mostly clear of traffic at this time of night. I went over the speed limit a little, though only enough to skate getting a ticket.

When I arrived at the party, the lightweights were already passed out on the lawn. I followed the walkway to the front door, stepping over a pool of what I guessed was vomit. As soon as I stepped inside, all eyes fell on me. They turned their heads so fast that I was surprised they didn’t snap their necks.

Brandon and Jay hit me on the back, dragging me over to the table with the kegs. Jay handed me a red cup. “We thought you died.”

I downed the piss-warm beer and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Didn’t Quincy tell ya?”

Brandon nodded, hitting his red cup with Jay’s before drinking. “Yeah. But we thought you’d off yourself or somethin’, bro. I mean, South Ridge?”

I finished my beer and crushed my cup in my hand. “It’s temporary,” I lied. I was stuck, but they didn’t need to know that.

Jay and Brandon exchanged looks. They didn't believe me. “That’s cool. We’ll uh… see ya around.” They took off toward the backyard. Andrew had a firepit, and the basketball team always got first dibs.

I bumped into a table, knocking over a cup half-full. I left, leaving the beer to drip on the floor. Fuck them.

Quincy parked his ass on the living room couch. Jessica saddled his thighs as she unbuttoned his shirt and licked his chest. They acted like they were in their own little sex bubble.

I hit Quincy on the head. “Hey, man.”

“Bro. Can’t you see I’m busy?” His eyes were for his girl only.

I leaned against the back of the couch. “What did you tell the team? They’re acting strange.”

He glanced at me and then back to Jessica. “Dude, just said you had to transfer because your old man croaked. Umm… We won tonight without ya.” Jessica leaned forward and bit his earlobe while brushing her hand through his hair. “Maybe that’s why. Can we talk about this later?”

“Yeah, man.” I patted the top of his head and went in search of Iris.

Anne and Vanessa danced by the staircase. I waved at Anne. “Hey, you know where Iris is?”

They pointed up. The look on their faces made my stomach knot. Those were faces of pity.

I opened the first door. Two girls and some dude were getting busy. I closed the door before they spotted me.

I let out a breath and opened the next door. A slender girl with a long nude torso and dark hair sat on top of the guy. She giggled, arching her back as she raked her nails along his chest. The guy saw me first and flipped me the bird.

“Asshole, do you mind?”

The girl hugged her chest and looked over at me. Her lips created a perfect O. I used to kiss those lips. A silver necklace hung in the deep V her breasts made as she pressed them together. Now I knew who gave her that necklace with the blue dragonfly pendant. It was this asshole.

“I see why you had to leave our date so soon. You had to do something for chemistry. I’ll be takin’ off now.”

“Tyler, wait!” Iris kept shouting my name, but it was time I bounced.

This wasn’t my scene anymore. The looks I received weren’t of happiness and pride anymore. It was as if I had a disease, and if they hung out with me, they’d catch it too and be forced to leave their luxury.

As I slipped out, I bumped into Malik. He laughed and punched my shoulder. “Thanks for dropping out, my man. I won the game tonight, and now everyone treats me like a god.”

“Wonderful,” I muttered, walking away.

If that house burned to the ground, I wouldn’t mourn any of their deaths.