Keeping Secrets

Football Party

PEYTON
"QB," Tyrone grinned when me and Becca ran into him in the football players kitchen. He stood by the island with a sleeve of red solo cups in his hand, like he was in charge of who got alcohol. And maybe he was.

Most of the people were drinking. I recognized a few other players, and a group of girls from the last party. But this get together was much less crowded and more subdued than that first party had been.

"Hey, Ty. How've you been? How's the ankle?" I asked him.

He looked surprised for just a second, but then his smile widened, and he said, "It's okay. I should be back for the next game."

"Good."

All I really knew was that someone had tackled him at the game and the way he'd landed involved his ankle somehow. I was glad he was feeling okay.

"What do you girls want to drink?" he asked, holding up a solo cup.

"Um, what do you have?" Becca asked.

"Beer," he said and gestured to the beer keg on the floor, "some vodka fruit punch thing," which was in a big bowl on the counter behind him, "and I think there might be wine in the fridge. Do you want me to check?"

I didn't really like any of it and by the way Becca's nose wrinkled, neither did she.

"No."

Tyrone laughed. "You're looking for Billy's stash, aren't you?" He asked Becca.

She had scored some of Billy's private drinks at the last party, which had led Max to believe Billy liked her.

"Um, no, that's okay. I'll have some fruit punch."

Ty handed her a red solo cup and looked questioning at me.

"Beer, please."

"Really?" Becca asked with a surprised expression.

I shrugged my shoulders. I could handle a cup or two. Unfortunately, beer reminded me of Beau, but I didn't want the super sweet fruit punch. I'd learned from experience that they made those punches strong as shit.

The sliding door to the backyard opened, and Hal stuck his head inside. He said hello to a couple of people and then he noticed me. "QB," he called out, his brown eyes sparkling. "Did you bring your cash this time?"

That piqued the interest of a few of the partygoers, who glanced curiously at Hal and then at me.

I laughed. "Are you guys playing poker?"

"Soon."

"And you want me to beat you again?" I teased.

A bunch of "ohs," and "damn," came from the surrounding people while Becca laughed, and Ty chuckled.

Hal looked stunned at first, but then cracked up laughing. "Damn, girl. I'm gonna show you how it's done."

"Mhm."

Becca and I followed Hal back outside to where a fire was a burning in the fire pit, casting a warm glow over the backyard. People I didn't know, and some that I recognized, sat around it with various drinks in their hands. Max stood next to the table, illuminated by the glow of several lanterns, and as usual surrounded by a group of girls. A few football players sat at the table with a bottle of whiskey and a deck of cards spread out in front of them.

"Damn, Peyton," Becca sighed. "What are you gonna do?"

As it turned out, I didn't need to do anything. As soon as Max spotted me, he excused himself and came straight for me with a look of relief on his face.