The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 17: celebrations and truth

Taylor

~~~~~~

"Kiss Me"- Sixpence None the Richer

After dropping Mom off at the airport, Garrett drove us back to his place for the party. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go but I knew that I wanted to spend time with him. I know, it feels weird just thinking about the fact that I actually wanted to spend time with Garrett Gray.

We walk into Garrett's house and once again it's packed with people. This house is literally a party house at this point.

"Your house is a party house now, huh?" I said to him.

He chuckles and nods, "Yup. Never gets old."

He takes my hand and leads me through the crowd of people until we get into the kitchen where Brennen was grabbing a bunch of drinks. We walk up to him and he smiles, "Hey guys!" He yells over the loud music.

"Hey, man. Where are our friends?" Garrett asks him, my hand still in his. His touch made me feel less anxious, it made me feel safe.

"Out back, I was just getting everyone drinks." He explains.

Garrett helps his friend carry the drinks before he drops my hand, taking the warmth of my body with him. We follow Brennen out to the back and as we push through the crowd, I feel Garrett's hand against my lower back. I look over my shoulder at him and see him trying to push people out of our way.

God. I can't be falling for this man.

We get to the back and I see Lily, Jake, and Chris talking and laughing.

"Look who's here!" Brennen announces.

They look over at me and Garrett and Lily smiles, "Taylor!"
I walk over to her and smile as she hugs me, clearly drunk off her mind, "I missed you. Did Leah get on her flight?" She asks.

"Yeah, she's good." I tell her.

"Yay!!!!" She cheers.

I laugh at her excitement before Chris joins us, he wraps his arms around my neck and I stand there in shock.

"Taylor, I missed you. I can't believe I didn't get to meet your mom. I really wanted to." He slurs.

"It's okay, Chris. Next time." I say as I pat his back.

He pulls away and chugs down the rest of his drink, "I'm so drunk right now." He tells me.

"I can tell." I smile.

"You want a drink?" Lily asks me.

"Uh." I stutter as I look around for Garrett. I finally spot him standing with Brennen and Jake, drinking and talking. I smile as I watch him laugh at something Brennen says.

"Yeah, sure." I say as I turn my attention back to my friend.

"Let's do shots!" Chris announces.

And that's what we do. The six of us took way too many shots and before we knew it we were wasted.

Everyone left except the roommates and us at this point. Me and Garrett were in the kitchen making margaritas. We were too drunk so we just threw a bunch of stuff plus tequila into a blender.

I laugh as Garrett dumps like half a bottle of tequila into the blender.

After we blend it he pours me a cup and I take a sip.

"Hmm, I like it." I say as I down the rest of the cup.

I take the blender from him and pour some into his mouth.