Razorblade Kisses(24)

“What? Why are we leaving the game?” Rachel asked, moving slowly down the bleachers.

“We’re leaving because you invited those people you don’t even know back to Noah’s!” Emery led Rachel down and around to where they could exit the stadium closest to where she’d parked.

“Noah’s cool, he won’t care.”

“Rachel.” Emery stopped walking and looked at her friend. “I care.”

Realization spread through Rachel’s eyes and she nodded. “Oh…I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

“No, you didn’t.” Emery started walking. “And if we stay here, you’ll invite every idiot in the stands.”

“I’m drunk. They probably won’t show up anyway,” Rachel said as she followed.

“And you called me Emery,” she whispered.

Rachel stopped. “Really?”

Emery kept walking until she saw Rachel’s car, then finally turned around. “Come on!” she yelled at Rachel, who still hadn’t moved.



Emery was uncomfortable with all the people at Noah’s place, but she couldn’t really say anything. It was past midnight and she was finally buzzed, thanks to the sweet tea vodka they’d purchased with the fake ID Derrick had given Rachel.

She’d locked her door. Noah didn’t seem to mind if people were in his room, especially different girls, but she didn’t want anyone besides Rachel in hers. Emery was locking her door after she and Rachel had smoked a joint in her room, when she stepped back into him. Noah. She leaned into his chest. “Sorry,” she giggled.

“I like that you’ve stopped jumping away from me, Emily,” Noah said.

Emery smiled over her shoulder at him as she followed a stumbling Rachel to the kitchen for a refill.

“We’re looking for Rachel and Emery!” a loud voice boomed from the open door of the condo.

Both Rachel and Emery’s eyes snapped to the voice, thinking the worst. What they saw sent Emery into hysterics. She leaned over and put her hands on her knees.

Rachel stomped across the room and stood in front of the guy they’d dropped popcorn all over. The guy she’d told to meet them. “Well, it took you long enough,” she teased.

“Well, baby, you didn’t give us a lot to go on.” The guy was wearing red chinos with a black Georgia polo and garnering dirty looks from all the football players.

“Us?” Rachel asked.

“Yeah, us.” The guy pointed to about ten other guys standing behind him, waiting to get inside.

“Oh shit,” Rachel muttered.

“Hi, I’m Emily, we met at the game.” Emery stood next to Rachel and tried to take control of the situation, since she was more sober. Not that that wasn’t saying much.

Rachel sagged against Emery. “Sorry I said the wrong name,” she whispered into Emery’s ear.

“You’re fine.” Emery smiled. “Why don’t you go get some drinks for our friends?” She let the guys into the condo and tried to keep things light, but Vandy football players didn’t appreciate a loss or people from the other team at their party.

Noah appeared and took Emery’s hand gently, like she would break. “I need to talk to you,” he said, looking at the guys.

“Noah, these are some guys that we met at the game. Rachel invited them back for a drink,” Emery said evenly, trying to play it off as nothing. She was hoping they would leave, and soon.

“Yeah, well they need to leave!” called a player from behind her in the den.

“It’s not like we like to hang out with losers,” Popcorn Guy said in response. “But Rachel here said she’d make it up to me tonight and I was intrigued.”

“Oh shhure,” Rachel slurred. “Let’s go outside and I’ll give you sssomething to apologize for what shappened earlier.”

“Everyone calm down,” Emery announced, feeling like she was in some sort of bizarre standoff. “These guys are going to have a drink and accept our apology and I’ll walk them to their cars. No harm, no foul.”

Noah took a step closer, his foot stepping in front of her and his back nudging her behind him making it clear that he would handle it.

“Noah, it’s fine,” she whispered and because she was high, she stumbled. Before she caught herself, her lips grazed his ear as he turned to help her and his eyes flew to hers.

“Emily, right?” Popcorn Guy interrupted what would’ve been a very awkward moment with her roommate.

She tore her eyes from Noah and looked at him.

“So look, are you going to come out with us or is your friend?”

Emery was finally upright on her feet. “Excuse me?”