"Oh, you are so fucked," Jessica laughed from the other side of the call.
"Not helping, Jes," I sighed, throwing myself onto the bed and dropping a towel over my face.
She tried to hold it in, but failed—her laughter spilling out anyway.
"Oh, that's rich."
"What the hell am I supposed to do?" I asked, sitting up and tossing the towel aside.
"Honestly? I can't help," she said, leaning closer to the screen. Then her voice dropped slightly. "But if it makes you feel better…"
She smirked.
"She is fucking adorable."
I rolled my eyes. I couldn't believe I actually thought this drugged-up idiot would be useful.
Jes leaned back, grinning like she knew exactly how unhelpful she was.
"Fuck," she muttered, resting her chin on her hand. "I really wish I had a shot with her."
Then she looked back at me.
"You have no idea how fucking lucky you are."
I exhaled sharply. "You've been absolutely useless, you know that?"
"Well excuse you," she shot back, still grinning. "I'm fucking stoned. What do you want from me?"
She chuckled again, leaning back in her chair—then rolled it back, throwing her legs up.
I was exhausted, and Jessica's teasing was the last thing I needed. I got to my feet and reached to turn off my desktop.
"Goodbye, Jes."
She straightened immediately. "Wait—wait—wait." She rolled closer to the screen.
"Okay, look, I'm sorry. I know I should be helpful since you feel like shit and your girlfriend is probably…" she scoffed. "Actually, I don't know squat about her. But hey—you need someone to talk to. I'm here."
Her phone beeped. She glanced at it.
"Well… at least until Angie gets here."
I rolled my eyes. "Seriously?"
She smirked. "We're about to smash, so you better hurry up and feel better."
"You think it's that easy?" I leaned back in my chair, dragging my hands down my face.
"I don't even know why Sonia's so pissed.
We all played that stupid game."
"I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO PLAY IT IN THE FIRST PLACE."
I paused.
Stared at her.
"You guys pushed me!"
She held up her hands. "Hey, listen, babe. I couldn't care less if you were kissing witches or leprechauns. I was selling drugs at that party. Don't blame me because you can't handle peer pressure, you fucking jock."
She was right probably.
Maybe I was just looking for someone to blame.
Jessica is the last person you'd expect to pressure anyone into anything. She lives by a daring 'do whatever the fuck you want' principle and never lets anything hold her back or dampen her spirit.
She was a good friend ..... a bad influence? Hell yes.
Terrible at consoling? ...a hundred percent but she was a good listener, always had my back.
Sometimes it amazes me that we've been best friends since elementary school. She probably knows me in and out.
Literally because we have ....done things.
"Jes… help me," I groaned, dropping my face onto the desk.
Then the door behind her opened.
I already knew who it was.
"Hi, baby!"
Angela practically launched herself onto Jessica's lap—her mini skirt rode up, giving me a very clear view I did not ask for.
I immediately looked away. "Hi, Angie."
She didn't even acknowledge me.
Just started kissing Jes like I didn't exist.
"I missed you," she murmured.
"Go shower," Jes laughed. "I'll be there in a second."
Angela slid off, adjusted her skirt, and walked away—flipping me off as she left.
I scoffed.
Tiny gremlin.
What does Jes even like about her?
Except the fact that she looked like a barbie doll.
If Barbie was short, rude and totally unhinged.
Jes turned back to me, grinning. "You saw a lot, didn't you?"
"I tried not to."
"Relax. I'm generous. Hope you enjoyed the view."
"Oh, shut up."
She barely looked at me anymore. Kept glancing off-screen.
Yeah. This was definitely the end of this conversation.
"Hey, I'll, uh… talk to Sonia for you," she said absently. "Tell her to chill and—"
"Jes. JES!"
"Yeah, I gotta go."
"Wait—"
The call ended.
I stared at the blank screen.
"Jeez Jessica thanks a lot you've been so helpful" I murmured
"No problem bud anything for my best bud" I mimicked Jes
I scoffed, asshole.
Turning off my computer and picking up my phone to scroll through it.
Then i got a text from Jonah.
Drinks! Now!
Then he pinned the location.
Do these guys even know what sleep is?
I sighed grabbed my jacket and headed out.
Outside my condo was Jonah leaning on his car.
Surprised I tried to maintain my cool. "Hey"
Jonah raised his head to me and smiled, "hey man. You actually came out"
"I'm just as surprised as you are. But I need the drink"
Jonah laughed.
"Why the hell are you here anyway?" I asked.
"Just in case you planned on bailing, I was goanna drag you out"
Ugh I rolled my eyes and got in his car.
Jonah smirked and got in.
He picked uo his phone, "He's here. We'll see you soon"
"Seriously?"
"So we kinda made a bet about you coming ....." he smiled like the jerkface he really is
"And?"
"Well, let's just say. I'm 5 grands richer than this morning"
"Moron"
He chuckled then he started the engine.
We got to the bar in record time. Jonah practically flew. I'm convinced he doesn't know what brakes are. Honestly, his license should've been revoked years ago.
Fucking wannabe F1 driver.
The place was already loud when we walked in. The guys were drinking, shouting, clinking glasses like they owned the place.
Fucking idiots.
Jonah slung an arm over my shoulder. "Guess who's here?!"
The guys turned and erupted.
"Pay up, fuckers!" Jonah added immediately.
"What the hell, man? How did you actually get him to come?" someone asked, tossing cash his way.
"Yeah, you usually ditch us for your girlfriend."
I rolled my eyes and grabbed a drink, downing it in one go.
I needed something stronger than this.
"Hey, we've got practice tomorrow," Jonah warned. "Don't go overboard."
A chorus of groans—and middle fingers—answered him.
"Yo," Simon leaned in, grinning.
"Guess what I got?"
He cracked open his jacket and pulled out a stash.
A low whoa spread through the group.
"Jes hasn't even put those out yet," I frowned. "How the hell did you—?"
Simon hesitated.
"Well… I, uh…"
"Spit it out."
"Chill, bro—I got it from Sonia."
I froze.
"…What?"
"Yeah, she was at the counter. Figured she could hook me up."
I was already moving before he finished talking.
"Hey—where are you—?"
I reached the counter.
And there she was.
Already high.
"Sonia? What the hell are you doing?"
She turned—and smiled.
"Hey."
"I've been calling you. What the fuck is going on—"
She grabbed me.
And kissed me.
I pulled back, trying to talk—but she wasn't listening. Her skin was flushed, her eyes unfocused—like she was running on pure impulse.
"You wanna talk?" she whispered.
Then pulled me back in.
"Let's talk."
And just like that…
I gave in.
We weren't even talking anymore—just letting our bodies speak for us.
Because no matter how messed up this was—
I couldn't stop myself.
…And that was the problem.