Smash_ A Stepbrother MMA Romance(97)

Truthfully, I was a little nervous. I hadn’t been out in Ridgewood in a long time, let alone out with Lindsey. What if he was right and I didn’t fit in anymore?

We moved through town and began to head north, toward the border.

“Where is this party, anyway?”

“Near the coal mine.”

“Who lives out there?”

“Nobody does. There’s this old RV some guys found and fixed up. People like to party there now.”

“Like your van.”

He glanced at me. “Something like that.”

We lapsed back into silence and the memory of him kissing me out there in the woods came back again. My heart beat fast in my chest and I felt twice as nervous.

Finally, after about a half hour of driving, Reid pulled off onto a dirt road. We bumped and jostled along it, heading toward lights up ahead. He pulled out into a clearing, and illuminated by strands of white Christmas lights was an RV.

And about a hundred people milling about it.

I was surprised by the size of the party. I had expected something small and chill, but it was more like a rager in the woods. There were at least two kegs and a table with bottles scattered all over it.

“It’s packed,” I said.

Reid pulled the truck over, parking in a line of other cars. “Yeah, usually gets like this on Fridays.”

“Do you know all these people?”

He snorted. “Not even close.” He sat there for a second, looking out the window. “Listen, I know you’re sick of this, but if you get in trouble, come find me right away.”

I sighed. “Okay dad, will do.”

“Seriously. Come find me.”

I pushed open the door and got out. The sounds of people yelling and laughing hit me immediately. Up ahead, someone was doing a keg stand, and a bunch of people cheered for him as he chugged beer upside down.

I had never done a keg stand before, and I wasn’t about to try it. Besides, I was wearing a skirt. That wouldn’t be very lady-like.

Reid got out and nodded at me. “Have fun, college girl.”

“Whatever,” I mumbled and walked toward the crowd.

I didn’t recognize a single person. Reid was instantly surrounded by a bunch of people, all calling him “Climber,” but I didn’t know any of them, either. I moved through the crowd, looking for Lindsey.

I pulled my sweater close around me. The night was a little cool but I felt packed in, even though we were out in the open air. I pulled out my phone and texted Lindsey.

Where are you? I’m here

.

Absently I wandered over toward the kegs and grabbed a cup. The guy working the pump smiled at me.

“I don’t know you,” he said.

I shrugged. “My first time.”

“Well then, enjoy the finest cheap beer Ridgewood can supply, first timer,” he said, filling my cup.

I smiled at him, “Thanks.”

He had shaggy hair and a young face, almost boyish, but he had to be my age or older. “I’m Josh,” he said.

“Becca.”

“Good to meet you, Becca.”

Before I could say anything else, someone came up from behind me and impatiently began to fill their beer. I smiled at Josh and moved away, back into the crowd.

I felt my phone buzz and pulled it out. Just got here, by the RV!



Relieved, I made my way over and spotted her leaning against the RV’s wall, looking at her phone.

“Hey,” I called out.

She looked up. “Hey, Becca! I’m really happy you came!”

We hugged and I laughed. “Of course, what else is there to do around here?”

“Meth, mostly.”

I laughed. “There’s a lot of people here.”

“I know, more than usual.”

“Do you do this a lot?”

“Yeah. It’s like a regular thing now.”

“Really? That’s cool.”

“I guess. It gets old after a while.” She grinned at me. “Come on, let’s get me a drink.”

We made our way back over toward the kegs. Josh was still working the pump and smiled at me as we walked up. “Back so soon?” he asked me.

“Beer me,” Lindsey interrupted.

“Hey, Linds,” he said, looking at her.

“Josh.” She didn’t smile at him. There was a short awkward silence as he filled her drink. We walked away as soon as it was done.

“Do you know him?” I asked her.

“He’s just some asshole.”

“Oh. He seems nice enough to me.”

“They always do, at first.”

I let that comment hang in the air as I followed her to the outskirts of the party. Lindsey spotted some lawn chairs and snagged them, laughing as she dropped into one.

As I sat down, I spotted Reid moving through the crowd, followed by two cute girls.