The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Thirty-Five: Shut Up and Dance with Me

AN: HOW DO WE FEEL ABT ISAAC LAHEY BEING RILEY'S FACECLAIM

They'd been at the party for about ten minutes, and Riley was already scanning the crowded room, trying to get his bearings amidst the chaos. Alessia had wandered off somewhere, and last he'd seen, she was deep in conversation with Logan, the guy from Yale they had just met. Riley couldn't quite shake the feeling that Logan was a bit off, but he pushed the thought aside. Alessia could handle herself, after all.

Beside him, Beau was thriving. He was chatting animatedly with a group of people near the drinks table, effortlessly drawing others into his orbit. Despite his wrist still being in a brace, Beau's charm was in full effect. Riley took a sip of his drink, which had the familiar taste of cheap beer, and watched as Beau's easygoing nature made him the center of attention.

"Having fun?" Beau asked, flashing a grin.

Riley shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Sure, if you call standing around fun."

Beau laughed, stepping closer to Riley as a group of people passed by, nearly bumping into them. "Come on, man. You've gotta loosen up. It's a party. We've got the whole night ahead of us."

Riley took another sip, glancing around the room. "I know, but parties aren't really my scene."

Beau's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, we'll see about that. I'm determined to make you have a good time tonight." He grabbed Riley's arm and tugged him toward the makeshift beer pong table, which was set up in the middle of the room.

The beer pong game was already in full swing. Two guys were facing off against Beau and Riley, and a small crowd had gathered around the table, cheering enthusiastically. Riley could feel the competitive energy in the air as the teams battled it out.

"Alright, we're up next!" Beau declared, grabbing a ping pong ball. "Let's show these guys what we've got."

Riley raised an eyebrow, but he couldn't help smiling at Beau's infectious enthusiasm. "Fine, but if we lose, you're buying the next round."

Beau winked. "Deal. Let's win this."

They played a few rounds, with Beau's relaxed charm and Riley's focused shots balancing out. The crowd cheered as Beau made a particularly impressive shot, and Riley couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement. They were quickly winning over the crowd, and the energy was contagious.

As they finished their game and claimed victory, Beau turned to Riley with a triumphant grin. "See? We make a pretty good team."

Riley chuckled, wiping a bit of spilled beer off his shirt. "Yeah, yeah. I'll give you that."

Beau grabbed two more drinks and handed one to Riley. "Alright, let's keep this momentum going. Time for the dance floor."

Riley eyed the dance area skeptically. "No way. I'm not in the mood to dance."

Beau's grin widened. "Come on. Just one song. It'll be fun. I promise."

Riley shook his head. "I've seen how you dance. No thanks."

Beau persisted, trying various tactics to persuade him. He teased, cajoled, and even tried some mock dramatic pleas. Each time, Riley resisted with a mixture of laughter and stubbornness. The pressure was on, and as the night went on, Riley's resolve started to waver.

Finally, after much convincing and Beau's relentless enthusiasm, Riley relented. He sighed dramatically. "Alright, fine. If I dance with you for one song, will you stop pestering me?"

Beau's eyes lit up with triumph. "Deal!" He immediately grabbed Riley's hand and pulled him toward the dance floor.

The music was louder here, and the crowd was moving energetically. Riley hesitated at the edge, watching as people danced with abandon. Despite his initial resistance, he was starting to feel the pull of the music.

Beau led him into the middle of the dance floor, where the beat was pounding and the crowd was lively. Riley could feel the rhythm through the floor, and though he was initially stiff and awkward, Beau's infectious energy helped him loosen up.

By the end of the song, Riley was actually enjoying himself. He glanced at Beau, who was beaming with satisfaction. "Alright, you win. This isn't so bad."

Beau laughed, clearly delighted with the victory. "See? I told you it would be fun. Now let's keep this party going!"

Riley couldn't argue with that. He glanced around the room, seeing the energy of the party in a new light. With Beau by his side, the night seemed a lot more enjoyable. They spent the next few hours dancing, laughing, and joining in on various party games. Riley's earlier unease had all but disappeared, replaced by a genuine sense of fun and camaraderie.

As the night continued, Riley found himself grateful for Beau's persistence. The party was far from his usual scene, but with Beau's company and infectious energy, it turned out to be a night he'd remember for all the right reasons.