Free Playing the Game by Jl Paul Page A

habit I’d
picked up from Jess. “I will.”
     
    ***
    My mother practically threw me out of the
house when I told her of Samantha’s party. She was thrilled I’d
made the ‘right’ kind of friends and planned on doing something
with them this weekend. And I planned to let my hair down a little
and just relax. I wouldn’t worry about Jess or Gwen or my mother
tonight.
    “ Mom,” I said, biting my
lip nervously. “I probably won’t be home tonight so don’t
worry.”
    Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. She knew I
wasn’t much of a drinker and I could see the cogs spinning horror
stories in her head. “Where will you be?”
    I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant.
“Probably just crash at Samantha’s house. She said I could,” I
lied. I felt like a teenager, looking for my mother’s permission to
stay out all night. “I am an adult, Mother. I’m trying to think
responsibly. If I happen to have a few drinks, I’d rather not drive
home. I'm letting you know so that you don't worry if I don't come
home tonight.”
    “ Okay, dear,” she said,
her brow creased in worry. “I think you’re right though I’d rather
you stay away from alcohol.”
    “ I’m twenty-one, not
twelve. I can go to the bar and get drunk or I can spend the
evening with some friends and not worry about strange men trying to
pick me up. Which do you prefer?”
    That did it. Her horrified face answered my
question and I grinned internally at another hollow victory.
Kissing her cheek, I dashed up the stairs to pack a bag. I had no
intention of spending the night with Samantha but I couldn’t stand
to spend the night here. I had no clue where I’d go or what I’d do
but the freedom surrounding me was exhilarating. I wondered vaguely
if this was how Gwen had felt when she moved in that first, tiny
apartment with Dane.
    ***
    Samantha’s house was already hopping by the
time I got there. She was renting a small house in a rowdy part of
town where the neighbors never complained about the noise. That’s
what she told me, anyway, when she dragged me through the door. Two
girls from the show who were sharing the house greeted me
pleasantly enough and I should have been a little wary. But my
hurting heart was desperate for a friend and I eagerly accepted
their drinks, wanting to just be a part of the crowd.
    When my head started spinning early, I asked
Samantha for a soda. She frowned but dashed off to the kitchen to
retrieve one. Gary Lester, another contestant, and his friend who
was known simply as Moe, kept me company. They sat on either side
of me on the sagging sofa, bombarding me with question after
question. I answered as politely as I could, but the room was
stifling and I longed to sit outside on the steps to clear my head.
I tried to stand but they each grabbed an arm and yanked me back to
my seat. I smiled, a little queasy.
    “ I just need some air,” I
explained.
    “ Wait until Sam brings
your drink and then I’ll take you out back,” Gary
offered.
    I nodded, setting my head off again. My
stomach rolled and I hoped I wouldn’t throw up and embarrass
myself.
    “ Here you go, Aubrey,”
Samantha smiled. She handed me a huge tumbler full of ice and Coke
in which I gratefully accepted. I swallowed a large amount and
grimaced at the taste. She frowned in concern.
    “ Is it flat? I’m not sure
how long I’ve had that stuff.”
    I shook my head, not really caring if it was
or not, although I was pretty certain the nasty taste had nothing
to do with how old the soda was. I wasn’t an experienced drinker by
any means but I was fairly sure Samantha had added some kind of
liquor. I looked to Gary, hoping he would remember his promise to
take me outside. With a wink, he took my hand.
    “ I’m taking Aubrey outside
for some air,” he explained, tugging me to my feet. I followed, a
little unsteady, and kept a firm hold on my cup.
    Samantha and her group of girls joined us.
One of them had a video recorder and pointed it at anyone