Lies, Textbooks, and Leprechauns

Chapter 3: Sobering

"Seriously, Rob? Do we really have time for a party?" Zack crossed his arms as he eyed his friend, the dim glow of a streetlamp catching his look of disproval. "We still have no leads on where Greed is keeping Olivia and Kristian."

"And you think we are going to make a massive break in the case tonight?" Rob asked, raising an eyebrow. "Nemo's my lab partner and a great guy, plus he knows how to throw a party. We are nineteen, can't we just be nineteen for one night?"

"I guess one night won't hurt," Zack relented, looking up at the house with party guests spilled out onto the lawn.

"Exactly!" Rob's grin was irrepressible, lighting up his face in a way that made him almost seem innocent. Almost. "We need a night of fun. It will clear our minds, so we can get back to searching with fresh eyes."

Zack let out a sigh, his instinct was to text Deb to join him but that really wasn't an option anymore. He pocketed his phone with a decisive click. "Alright, let's let's do this. But if it's a bust, you're buying me breakfast tomorrow."

"Deal!" Rob said, already ushering Zack towards the home.

Inside, the party was in full swing, red Solo cups in the hands of every guest as the music blared. Nemo, a muscular figure with deep dark eyes, toasted his own cup with Samantha, his sidekick for the evening.

"Three months sober today," he confided to her, a note of pride threading through his words. His cup held nothing more intoxicating than tonic water.

"Which is all the more reason to celebrate tonight," Samantha insisted, nudging him playfully. "You've earned this."

"Plan on making the most of it," Nemo assured her, his gaze suddenly tracking to the front door where Zack and Rob had just stepped through.

"Rob!" Nemo's voice cut through the noise, high on excitement as he bounded over to him. Without warning, he took both of Rob's hands in his, causing Rob's face to turn red. "Meet me in the backyard later?" Nemo winked, before dissolving back into the crowd.

"Sure thing, Nemo," Rob replied, a little too late to be heard, though he cast a glance at Zack as if to say, 'Can I?' Zack gave him and nod and Rob followed after Nemo.

Once they maneuvered behind the shed, slightly removed from the pulsing heartbeat of the party, Nemo leaned in, closing the distance between himself and Rob with a kiss, this one lingering like a promise.

"You are really cute," he confessed, his breath warm against Rob's ear. "I have wanted to do that since our first lab together."

"Oh, wow, you are a good kisser," Rob murmured, doing his best to flirt.

"I was hoping to do more than just kiss you," Nemo added, a touch shy now, as he caressed Rob's chest.

"Oh, right, yeah." Rob realized what Nemo wanted, he could feel his palms start to sweat. "I would... I would be down for that."

"Cool," Nemo beamed, a playful glint returning to his gaze. "So, think you can sneak into the upstairs bathroom and grab some...protection?"

"Your wish is my command," Rob quipped, winking as he turned to execute his mission—leaving Nemo alone in the quiet of the backyard.

---

The car's interior was dim as Deb and Ahmed drove through the city. Ahmed's hand was steady, with his scabbed-over cuts still visible. I made Deb uncomfortable to look at, it seemed so familiar yet so foreign.

"It's healing up pretty nicely," Ahmed half-joked, looking over at Deb. Deb nodded before quickly adverting her gaze, her focus now outised her window.

Deb's eyes then scanned over some passing graffiti, squinting at one of the artworks. "Stop," she yelled, grabbing Ahmed's arm. Ahmed slammed on the brakes, shooting her a look that screamed 'What the hell!'