Shattered Asylum

Chapter 12

When we step inside, Vinnie and Noah disappear into the crowd, probably to find their next one night stand. I follow Grayson into the kitchen, with Kristina trailing behind me.

"What do you want to drink?" Grayson shouts over the noise. The only alcoholic drink I've had was at Layla's party, and Nora made it for me. I'm pretty sure I'm still not sure how to handle alcohol. "I'll have whatever." I shout back, hoping I don't embarrass myself.

"Just get two peach twisted teas." Kristina yells to Grayson. "we need to stick together, no running off. And always watch your drink. Don't take anything from strangers." She gives me a quick rundown like I'm about to walk into a battlefield.

Grayson comes back with two cans and a red solo cup. He hands one can to me and the other to Kristina. "How are we getting home?" I ask, suddenly realizing that if everyone's drinking, none of us will be driving.

"I'm not drinking. These two are for you," Kristina says, handing me my can. "And then I'm cutting you off. No alcohol poisoning on my watch." Kristina is definitely the mother hen of the group.

I nod. She knows my limits better than I do at this point. I crack open the tea and take a sip. Huh, I thought it would burn going down, but it's actually pretty good. "Is Ethan coming?" I ask, taking another sip.

"Yeah, he's coming later." Grayson responds. I forgot he was still around, honestly, and I'm surprised he hasn't already disappeared with Vinnie and Noah.

"Let's play some beer pong," Grayson says, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the crowd. I glance back every few seconds to make sure Kristina is still following us. We reach the table outside, just as another group finishes up their game.

"Sup, Grayson. Didn't think you were gonna show," says a redhead. He eyes me up with a smirk. "And who's this hot chick? You really know how to pick them, huh, Gray?"

Chick? Has he ever talked to a girl before?

"Fuck off, Will. Are we playing or not?" Grayson responds, his voice laced with annoyance. Will throws his hands up in surrender, then fills the cups with some clear liquid. I stare at the cups. I didn't think we were going to play with water.

"How do we play?" I ask, looking for an answer from anyone.

"You try to get the ball in one of those cups, and when you do, the opposing player has to drink whatever's inside. You win when all the cups are gone," Kristina explains, handing me a ping pong ball.

Sounds easy enough.

I throw the ball and make it. "Hell yes!" I say, jumping up and down in excitement. I hear Grayson chuckling beside me as he makes his shot. We're totally going to win this.

Will and the other guy toss us our balls back, I glance at Grayson, confused. "Isn't it their turn?"

"Nope, since we both made it, we get the ball back," he says, flicking his wrist to land the ball in another cup.

I focus on the next cup, narrowing my eyes as I aim. I throw the ball, but it bounces off the side and clinks to the ground. "Dang it!" I groan, frustrated.

The game goes back and forth. Grayson's been sinking cup after cup, but every time I reach for a drink, he smacks my hand away. It's just water, so I don't get what his deal is.

When Will's partner sinks a cup, I grab it before Grayson can stop me and take a long gulp. My throat instantly burns. I couch, my face scrunching up at the taste. "That is NOT water!" I exclaim, trying not to gag.

A few people around the table chuckle. Will grins at me. "It's vodka, babe."

"Well, thanks for the heads-up," I mutter, glaring at him.