Falling Too Deep

Chapter 21

People started showing up at my house earlier than planned. I don't even know who was coming to this "get together". The only people I invited were Andrea, Brad and his date...but, I let Bradley invite some people for himself, and I think he over did it. There was already fifty people at my house and I hadn't even gotten drinks out. Someone had already found their way to my stereo and were blasting music.

I tried to make it to my front door to close and lock it so no one else could come, but they started flooding in like leeches. I decided to say fuck it and get some snacks out. As I went to the kitchen I poured some pretzels in a bowl and I noticed some random brunette messing with my bar.

I frowned and made my way over to her. "Hey! You can't drink that stuff."

She looked at me and poured herself some vodka in a red plastic cup. "And why not?"

I rolled my eyes as she walked away into the abyss of people and then I went back to getting food.

"How can you throw a party with no drinks?"

I smiled at the voice and turned to see Andrea standing there with her hands on her hips. I grinned and wrapped my arms around her.

"Actually, I do have drinks. They're in the cooler in the basement. I haven't had a chance to get them."

She smiled. "Well you should get them right away your guests are getting dehydrated."

I smirked at her and kissed her slowly. Oh how I missed her lips. Andrea helped me get the rest of the snacks ready and we both went out back to turn the pool lights on. As soon as we did that people started merging out back, dancing and jumping in the water. I guess my little "get together" was a hit.

I went back into the house to head to the basement for drinks but I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Bradley and a girl with short, jet black hair. I had to admit she was pretty and petite. She had on glasses and was squeezing a copy of Moby Dick for dear life.

I grinned at Bradley. "Oh hey man!"

He smiled. "Hey. Uhm..this is Claire."

I held out my hand, Claire hesitated, but shook it anyway. "Hey Claire I'm Nick."

She nodded and looked around nervously. "Nice to meet you...is this your idea of a book club meeting?"

I bit my tongue to refrain from laughing. Bradley looked at me for help and I scratched the back of my neck, trying to think of anything.

"Ummm...well...it was supposed to be a book club meeting...but some douche came with alcohol and a bunch of his friends and crashed it."

Claire wasn't having it. She glared at Bradley and poked him in his chest. "You lied to me. This wasn't a book club meeting!"

He frowned and grabbed her hand, rubbing the top of it gently. "I didn't lie!"

I stood there awkwardly, listening to them fight.

"Oh really!? Then why am I the only one with a copy of Moby Dick?"

Claire began to walk away but Bradley grabbed her arm. "Wait. Wait! Okay, I lied! I'm sorry."

Claire crossed her arms, waiting for a bigger explanation and I just stood there and stared at Bradley in amazement. Never have I ever seen him chase after a girl before, unless she was insanely hot and he wanted a hook-up, but never like this.

Bradley cleared his throat and rubbed Claire's arms. "I just...I really like you Claire. I lied because I knew if I told you it was a little party then you would say no. I just...I wanted to spend more time with you."