It's safe to say that dinner took a turn for the worse. Bridget is worriedly circling around the room as Walter is repeatedly trying to get in touch with Lucas, who, no surprise, isn't picking up his phone or answering his texts.

"Dad," Teddy says when he enters the living room, where the rest of us are. He's clutching his cellphone in between his ear and shoulder. "I think I know where Lucas is. I'm on the phone with Henry. He's at Landon's party and said that Lucas walked in a few minutes ago."

"I told him not to go there," Bridget interrupts, covering her forehead with her palm.

"Hold on, Cory," Teddy says into the speaker before looking up at Walter. "I can go get him."

"You sure?" he asks. 

"I can come with you," I offer, and Teddy smiles at me before answering his dad.

"Yeah, I'm sure," he says.

***

The second that we step foot inside Landon's house, I immediately understand why Bridget didn't want Lucas here. I mean, I could smell the weed from a mile away and there is so much alcohol on the bar cart that I'd be surprised if the bottles are empty by the end of the night.

"Do you see him anywhere?" Teddy asks, bobbing his head around the room.

"Nope," I say as I scan my surroundings.

"You okay to split up? I feel like that may be the best way to find him."

"Yeah. But what's the plan exactly? We both know that Lucas isn't one to leave willingly."

"I know," Teddy says, scratching his forehead. "Let's cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let's just focus on finding him."

"Okay," I say.

I know that I told Teddy I was fine with dividing and conquering the room, but I didn't mean it. Besides the fact that I don't know anyone here, I'm either being pushed or eye-rolled by strangers who are convinced that I don't belong here.

"What is she wearing?" one girl looks at me and whispers to her friend. "Didn't someone tell her this was a house party, not dinner at the Four Seasons?"

I ignore the comment and finally make it to the back of the room, where I find Lucas sitting on the couch with Candace perched on his lap. His hand is gripped onto her waist as she leans back on him, and I'm trying not to let the sight bother me.

I go to text Teddy when I suddenly hear:

"What the hell are you doing here?" The lovely words come from Lucas himself, whose eyes are so bloodshot that the beauty of them is gone completely. He looks like he's been drinking and almost unrecognizable.

I release a deep breath and muster up all the courage I have in me before making my way towards him. Candace is sneering at me, which doesn't make this any easier.

"Can I help you?" she obnoxiously asks when I stop in front of them.

"No, actually. I'm here for Lucas," I tell her. She squints her eyes at me like she can't believe I just gave her attitude.

I reach for his free hand, but he jerks it away.

"Don't touch me, Lily," he warns, and Candace crosses her arms with an evil smile on her face.

"You heard him," she says.

"I think we both know that Lucas isn't in the right mindset to be telling people what to do," I say, trying again, only this time, he wrestles with my touch.

Teddy pulls up beside me which I'm thankful for because I'm clearly going to need all the help that I can get with Lucas.

"Hey," he whispers.

"Hey," I say.

"Need some help?"

"Some help would be great. Thanks."

Teddy goes to reach for his brother's hand, but Lucas doesn't make that easy, either.

"Woah, woah, woah. Look who showed up to save the day. Mr. Theodore Bennett, ladies and gentlemen," Lucas says, sardonically clapping his hands.

"Lucas, let's go," Teddy grits.

"You know, T? I'm not quite ready to leave just yet."

"I don't care if you're ready. You're pushing your limit."

"And that's your concern how?"

"It's my concern because you're my brother."

Lucas chuckles condescendingly, looking at me and then back to Teddy. "Why don't you run off with your little girlfriend? Make some G-rated moves on her and mind your own fucking business."

"Don't talk to him like that, Lucas," I say. "He's just trying to help."

"Aw, would you look at that? You're defending him. That's cute," Lucas sarcastically coos, and his friends start laughing.

"Stop being a dick. For once in your life," Teddy asserts.

"And you stop being a fucking pussy. C'mon, lil' bro, join me." Lucas reaches a red cup out to Teddy, who shockingly swats it away with his hand so that it falls to the floor. Lucas whistles through his lips and then says, "Landon's going to be pissed at you, T. You just stained his parents' rug."

"I don't care," Teddy says, reaching for Lucas's hand again. "Now get up."

Lucas pushes Teddy's hand away, but actually comes to a stand. His body wobbles when he does, that's how off-balance the alcohol's made him.

"Or. What?" Lucas asks, getting in Teddy's face.

"Don't cause a scene, Lucas," Teddy warns in a whisper.

"Then don't fucking make me." He sucks his cheeks in as he glares at Teddy. "Get the fuck out of here. I don't want your help, can't you see?"

"Fine," Teddy chuckles like he's had enough. "You know what? I'm done." He peels his eyes off Lucas and then looks at me. "Let's go Lily."

Teddy turns around and begins to walk away but stops when he notices that I'm not following. "Lily? You coming?"

"Give me a second," I tell him, but he skews his lips at me.

"Lily, he's not going to listen to you."

"I know. Just let me try one more time."

Teddy gives me a slow nod and then says, "I'll meet you at the car."

I watch him walk away and then look back at Lucas, who's scowling. "I'm not leaving until you do," I tell him.

"Well, then, get comfortable because that's not happening anytime soon," he says.

A few seconds later, it's like God has answered my prayers when police sirens start ringing in the background.

"Shit! Cops are here!" some guy looking out the window shouts. Everyone scrambles for their belongings and makes a run for it, but Lucas just stands there, unfazed.

"C'mon, we have to go," I say, reluctantly grabbing at his arm, which he surprisingly allows.

Our hands are interlocked as we make our way for the front door, but we collide with a hard body.

"And just where do you two think you're going?" the officer asks.