Gio

BEEP BEEP BEEP THUNK

I smash my alarm clock off and check the time. It's seven a.m., and I have to get up and go to work with my mom. 

Damn it.

I drape my arm back over Ren's waist and kiss her shoulder, thinking about how perfect yesterday was.It's so fucking dope having her in my bed in the morning! I seriously can't think of anything better.

"I love waking up next to you," I whisper in her ear.

"Mmhm," she murmurs, not quite awake yet, squeezing my arm.

Ugh. I don't want to get up! I want to stay here and play with her, but I know I have to, or my mom will be banging on my door in twenty minutes. With a groan, I peel myself away from her, grab some clothes, and head to the bathroom to shower. 

She's still curled up and cozy when I come out dressed for work. The long ends of my hair drop delicate beads of water on her shoulder as I kneel on the bed to kiss her goodbye. She blinks up at me and nearly knocks me out with her beautifully dreamy, unfocused eyes. A soft smile dances on her lips, awakening fresh, fluttery feelings in my belly, and I gently press my mouth to hers.

"Don't go," she murmurs, trying to pull me back into bed, and I struggle not to fall on top of her.

"No, no, I gotta go. You don't know how much I wish I could stay! But go back to sleep. Whenever you wake up, you can have some cereal and watch TV. I'll be back around noon and drive you to your dad's so you can change. Okay?" 

"Mmm, okay," and her eyelids close again.

The morning is cold and crisp, and I work as fast as I can cleaning up overgrown hedges at a job closer to town. Now that I have my own car, I can do some of my mom's smaller jobs, and the faster I get done, the quicker I can get back to Ren. One more small job after this one and I'm free.

When we arrive a Ren's house in the afternoon, I hang out with her dad, watching 'The Greatest Sports Legends' on TV while she takes a shower, changes, and packs for tonight. I really like her dad. He knows so much about sports and seems genuinely interested in my life and talking with me. He likes to joke around, and he's so easygoing and chill, I don't even know, he just makes me relaxed and able to be myself. I don't ever hang out with my friend's parents, but being with him just feels... easy. If I could pick a new dad... I think I'd pick him. Ren is so lucky.

After dinner, we play Mario Kart in my room. I'm really trying to let her win sometimes, but it's hard not to be competitive. Just before it's time to leave for the party, Eddie and Charlie come over and play with us, too. 

We tasked Eddie with hustling up beer for the party in exchange for a ride out there, and he didn't disappoint. I drive all four of us out to the beach just after nine o'clock. The full moon illuminates the grassy hills in a silver glow, and the winding, coastal roads shine brightly instead of shrouded in inky blackness.

Following Ren's printed Mapquest directions, we pull into a very private, exclusive golf course community, and all the homes look the same. She's reading out the address, but once we turn the corner onto Sea View Drive, I realize we don't need the directions anymore by the copious amount of cars parked out front of a swanky two-story mid-century house covered in greyed cedar. 

We open the door into an open-concept living room, dining room, and kitchen. Shit, it's a really fucking sick-looking house! I've only dreamed of being in a house like this. A bunch of guys are already hanging out on the leather sofas in front of an enormous window overlooking the silvery sparkling ocean. Their heads turn in unison as we enter.

"Ren! Eddie!" they cheer, and I follow the group further into the space as my heartbeat picks up. I'm not great at small talk with people I don't know. The group looks pretty sunburned and already a few beers in, probably having spent the entire day at the beach. Ren greets two of the guys. My eyes are trained on the tall blond guy—Jace.

I had a weird feeling about how he acted with Ren the first time I met him, and I'm watching carefully to see how he acts now, and it's not what I was expecting. The hug is short and awkward.  My forehead wrinkles as I try to interpret that.

"Um, Jace, this is Gio. You sort of met him briefly at Cool Beans that one time," she blushes.

"Nice to meet you, man," Jace smiles easily, extending his hand. "I heard a lot about you."

"You too," I say, then press my lips together, reserving judgment for now.

More and more people are showing up quickly, and the group disperses. I don't really know anyone here, and I grab Ren's hand to keep her close. She leads me through the dining room, and I scan the crowd of about thirty and count only six girls—crap, another freakin sausage-fest. We seem to be headed for the two girls in the kitchen cutting limes, and I make eye contact with one, and her eyes light up just as I recognize her as well. 

Alexis. 

"Giovanni!" Alexis exclaims, coming over. I stiffen as suddenly, she wraps her arms around me. "It's so nice to see you again, darling."

Darling? What the fuck? 

It's not like I even know her. 

I glance at Ren, hoping to use her as a buffer, but she's chatting with the other girl who's come over, who I now see is Kristin.

"Yeah," I smile, giving her a semi-polite smile. "Nice to see you too, Alexis."

She surveys me from head to toe. "You're so... grown up, I had no idea! When I heard you guys were dating, I still pictured you like you were in seventh grade," she laughs blithely.

Zero points, Alexis.

"Thanks," I grit. 

"You're welcome," Alexis shoots back casually with a catty smile. "Come on, Gio, I'm kidding. I'm glad you're here, and you guys make such a cute couple. Follow me, let's do some shots. Loosen you up."

Alexis leads the four of us back into the large luxury kitchen, and I run my hand along the cool stone countertops as I watch Alexis pour four tequila shots. The other guy Ren introduced me to spots us and comes over. 

"Yeah! Time for shots! That's my tequila, though, and I say it's body shots!" Colin insists, giving a sexy glower to Alexis. "I'll start with... Alexis."  

This dude is definitely trying to get lucky with Alexis tonight, but by the careless look on her face, I doubt he'll be getting fucking anywhere.

But a moment later, I balk in surprise as she plays along, angling her neck to let him apply some salt and then insert a lime in her teeth. Well, shit. As much as I think I can read guys, I have no freaking clue what goes on in girls' heads.

Watching Colin shoot his shot, Alexis rolls her eyes at me as Colin does a long lick and practically kisses the lime from her mouth. Damn.

Alexis smiles, flicking her hair over her shoulder, "My turn. Gio, you're up. Boy, girl, boy."

WHAT!

My breathing halts as my eyelids retract, and I frantically flick them to Ren. Ren doesn't seem to be the jealous type, but the look Alexis is giving me is anything but indifferent. My stomach sours as Ren just waves us on.

"It's okay," she smiles cluelessly.  

Alexis pushes on my head and salts me up, and I tense and squinch my eyes tight as I feel her tongue connect with my skin. I can't fucking handle it! As she takes her shot, I remove the lime from my mouth and place it on her partially open lips.

"Spoilsport, Gio!" Alexis admonishes me, smacking her lips from the acidity of the lime. "Okay, okay. Go get your girl," she commands. 

Hell yeah—you don't have to tell me twice. I eagerly salt up Ren's neck. A smirk curls her pink lips just before I place the lime in her perfect teeth. I'm more than ready to show Alexis who my desire belongs to. 

Holding Ren firmly by the shoulders, I lean down to give my girlfriend a smutty, hard lick up her neck, sucking it a bit at the end for good measure, before downing my shot and slamming the glass on the counter.

I lift my head and lock eyes with hers, sparkling with fun. The lime is waiting for me in her taunting mouth, and I can finally see the appeal of this game—she looks fucking hot! My breathing shallows, and my heart pulses steadily as I open my mouth and lean for the lime. But just as I'm an inch away, Ren releases the lime, and it falls to the floor. I hardly process what's happening before her lips suddenly crash onto mine.  

A laughing "Ohhhhh!" sounds around us as I ardently kiss Ren back. Damn, I love my girl.

We release from our kiss, but now it's her turn, and we were out of dudes. Good. Maybe she can just do me again. There's a pause while Colin pours the next shot.

"You'll just have to do me next." Kristin offers. 

Fuckin' yeah! Even better.

"Are we doing shots already?" Jace asks as he saunters up to the island, coming out of the bathroom.

"Jace!" Alexis beams. "Perfect. Ren, you do Jace." 

NO! My jaw clenches.

"What?!" Jace says, looking a little horrified.

"We're doing body shots silly. Boy, girl, boy, and you're the next boy," Alexis explains.

Ren's face has gone white. "Um..." her voice wavers.

"Excuse me! Talk to the hand." Kristin holds her palm up to Jace's face. "No cuts! Come get me, gorgeous." 

Phew!

My eyes are wide as Ren puts on a show, licking Kristin provocatively, tossing back her shot, and taking the lime oh so sensually. My jaw drops, and heat collects in my pants. Wow, just.. wow. Ren giggles, patting me on the cheek, and pulls me out of the kitchen.

There are tons of people in the house now. I wonder how many people Zack invited and how many just heard about it at this point. We walk around the house, nursing our beers. Charlie and Eddie are playing drinking games with some people at the dining table. There are kids out on the side deck, smoking cigarettes, and more out in the backyard, smoking pot and playing hacky sack. I spot a swarm of guys in the den watching UFC and pull Ren inside. I've only seen it once, and it was fucking rad. The testosterone in the room is high, and I pull Ren to sit on my lap on the couch for lack of space in the room.

Her nose wrinkles, "What is this?" 

"Ultimate Fighting Championships," I explain, my eyes already glued to the screen. "The two opponents can fight in any style. Anything is allowed except pulling hair, spitting, biting, and attacking the groin." 

Fifteen minutes in, Ren huffs about this being too boring and leaves to grab us each another beer, squeezing through the massive amount of guys stuffed in here. A player gets knocked out on the TV, and a roar erupts. I thought maybe she'd be gone for a while, and I'd have to leave to go find her, but she's back only a few minutes later and sits back down on my lap, handing me my beer. 

"Thanks," I say, not taking my eyes off the TV. But then I notice how ridged she is, and I look at her face—she's white as a sheet. "You feeling okay, baby? You look pale," my voice laced with concern.

"Uh, I'm okay, just almost smacked into someone. It's so crowded now." She unzips her hoodie. "It's getting so hot in here. Can we please go?"

"Yeah," I say, absently getting up with her, still trying to catch some of the action on the TV as she leads me through the bodies until we get to the pinch point at the only door. Suddenly, she stops short, and I nearly run her over. 

What the hell?

I look away from the TV, and right at the door stands Ryder Hensley, watching the fight. Fuck.

Holding on to Ren's shoulders, I look him in the eye, indicating we need to get past. He stares me down for a second, then makes just enough room for us to pass sideways. 

As we pass, Ryder whispers in my ear, "Watch out, you might be screwing her, but she's the one screwing you over."

The fuck did he just say? My stomach drops out. I shoot daggers into his eyes, but Ryder just smirks back at me in response. Ren pulls me out the door. We get outside to the backyard, where Ren can get some air. 

"That guy's suck a dick! Why'd you ever go out with him!" 

"I didn't know he was an asshole back then!" Ren looks freaked, "What'd he say to you?"

"He said to watch out and some other shit I'm not going repeat."

"Oh, god. I hate him so much. He said some fucked up shit to me at Jace's party last weekend too. He made me leave the party in tears," she saps her hands over her mouth.

"What?!" My whole body ignites with rage, and my fists clench. "I'm gonna fucking jack him up!" 

She blocks me from going back inside, laying her hands on my shoulders. "Oh, no, Gio. Just forget I said that. He's just trying to instigate something. He's jealous and not worth it," stroking my puffed chest while I grind my teeth.

She's trying to calm me down, but I want to fucking punch that smug look off his goddamn face!

"Just don't let him near me if we can't help it tonight, okay?" catching my gaze with big pleading eyes. I take a deep breath and a swig of my beer, not fully convinced.

I scan the backyard for signs of Ryder, but I make eye contact with a guy who recognizes Ren and comes over to join us. 

"Hey, did you like my singing yesterday?" he says with a proud smile.

"Yeah, Zack, you were great! Thank you," Ren says happily.

Zack turns to me. "Hey, did you buy it for her?" 

"Yeah," I smile.

"That's tight, man. I'm Zack. Nice to meet you." Zack puts his cigarette in his lips and holds out his hand. Oh? So this is Zack. I shake it firmly.

"Nice to meet you, too. Thanks for having the party tonight, man, the is a pretty dope place."

Ren shakes her head, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Zack, this is my boyfriend, Giovanni. Gio, this is my friend from my freshman year, Zack."

"Hey, we're still friends," Zack says, giving Ren a friendly soft punch. 

"Hey!" Colin says, rolling up to our group, looking quite blazed. "I can't believe how many people came tonight!"

"It's a fucking rager!" Zack grimaces. "I hope no one calls the cops!" 

"No shit. Hey Ren," Colin turns to her with bloodshot, squinted eyes. "Jace was mumbling something about you the other night when I was putting him to bed all wasted."

Ren's eyes go wide, and my ears perk up.

"Something about kissing a girl, and he was talking to you about it in the backyard—that I made him do it, but he was rambling and not making any sense. Alexis and Kristin don't have a clue, either. Do you know what he was going on about?"

"Nope," she says stiffly. "He was definitely wasted, though."

"Fuck yeah, he was!" Zack belly laughs. 

"It's just that... it's weird, you know. Who would he have kissed? You three were the only girls at the party. What were you guys talking about in the backyard?"

Suddenly, my spidey senses go off, and my stomach curls. I stare at Ren for her answer, and she's slowly turning bright red. What. The. Fuck.

 "Yeah, but I, um...um... Hey! What are they doing up there?" Ren points to the house, and we turn to see Eddie and Charlie running up the roof. 

"Oh, shit! Hey! You can't be up there!" Zack yells and takes off with Colin.

My eyes refocus heavily on Ren, who has guilt written all over her. A shiver runs through me.

"Did something happen with you and Jace at the party?" my voice deadly serious.

She looks down.

"Well?" I press, my heart pounding.

She raises her face to me, and her eyebrows turn up, "Gio, there is something... but can we talk about it in a minute?"

What! My adrenaline spikes.

"Why can't you just tell me now?"

"I, I don't want to talk about it here, and I really have to pee. Let me just go to the bathroom first, then I wanna get out of here. You want to go for a walk on the beach? This party is getting a little crazy." 

"Fine," I huff.

As we head back inside, I'm suddenly stabbed by a pair of familiar deep cobalt blue eyes, and a chill washes over me. I stop dead in my tracks. Leaving the party now seems like a very good idea.

It's her. Heather. Fuck.

https://youtu.be/J7_bMdYfSws

••• A/N •••

Thank you for reading!

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Uh-oh, Ren. Watch out.

The next half of the party is up next.

Anyone else excited to see what happens?