Lizzie twists to face me. “So wait . . . what does this mean exactly?”
“It means that my parents are the last thing I want to talk about.”
She gives me a hard stare. “But your dad is back, right? You don’t want to talk about that fairly major event in Doyle family history?”
I press my head to the cold glass of the passenger door, hoping it will freeze still my racing thoughts. “I don’t know if he’s back back or why he’s here. I can’t even process.”
Lizzie lets out a low sigh. “You still up for going out?”
“God yes. Anywhere. Please.”
Lizzie drives and I watch the dark blink past my window. By the time we arrive at the party, we have to hike to Ronnie Waxman’s house because cars already pack both sides of his private road. The October air sings crisp and I pull my scarf from my pocket, wrap it around my neck.
Lizzie links my arm in hers. “Be prepared to be treated like royalty.”
Sovereign is the last thing I feel. “What for?”
“This place is crawling with jocks, and you just captained your team to State, girl. That makes you an A-lister.”
“Hardly.”
“You’ll see.”
As we approach Ronnie’s house the rap is deafening. I’m grateful it absorbs the ache in me as we walk across his enormous, flawlessly groomed backyard, the earth thudding with reverberating bass.
On the raised patio, two kegs are positioned on opposite sides, like always. I don’t drink. Control issues.
“Captain Fantastic!” Shane Taylor calls. He’s manning the keg, handing out cups. He fills one, passes it to me. “You drink for free tonight, Zephyr Doyle.” Shane swims in his own smile.
“Thanks.”
He raises his cup in a toast. “Legendary.”
“Told you,” Lizzie says, nudging me.
“Right as usual.”
Someone walks behind me, pats me on the back. “Great game, Doyle.”
I look at Lizzie and laugh. “When did students at Sudbury start giving a shit about field hockey?”
“It’s not the game, Zee. It’s the fame. Everyone wants to be affiliated with a winner. Tonight, you’re a winner.”
Lani bounces in front of us and I have to take a step back from her energy. “Great game, Zephyr.”
“Thanks.”
But Lani’s looking past me. “Is Slice here?”
“No clue.”
“Oh. Okay. Well . . . Can you tell him I’m looking for him when you see him?”
“Will do.”
“Okay, see ya!” Lani cheers and bounds off.
“Being ignored by Lani Briggs could be the biggest compliment of my life,” Lizzie says.
“Hah! If I could be so lucky.” I search the crowd. “I do suspect Gregg’s behind this jock marketing campaign, though.”
“Yeah, well, he’s here somewhere. Nowhere else to go in Suckbury.”
“I know, right.”
We duck into the house, where I dump my beer and fill my cup with water to disguise the fact that I’m a total party dork. The rooms are packed and the music is too loud, and when Lizzie tells me she needs to use the facilities, I need air. “Meet me outside when you’re done.” I have to scream to be heard over Rihanna. Lizzie nods and I head out to our spot at the edge of the lawn, turn my back to the evergreens and feel comfortable hiding in the shadows. I like the distance. From here, I spy the already-wasted football team pooled around the kegs and the girls fawning. And Alec.
He leans against the house, three girls hanging on his every word. I can see their smiles and their too many hair flips. I lean forward, pulled by warped interest.
“Hey!” Gregg appears behind me and I jump. Cold water splashes over my wrist. “Man, what is with you lately?”
I blot the water off my skin with my jacket sleeve. “What do you mean?”
“You were jumpy in French class too.” I smell the beer on his breath, recognize the way his words stumble out slower than usual.
“Don’t sneak up on me and I won’t jump.”
“So . . . o . . . rry.” He bats his eyes. “Forgive me, Zeph?”
“Always.”
He takes a sip of beer, looks out into the crowd. “Where’s Lizzie?”
“Bathroom break. But Lani’s looking for you.”
“Yeah? How come?”
“Probably because she’s in love with you.”
“Not my type.” He swigs another sip. “So how are you enjoying your fame?”
I fan my arm around my deserted space. “I prefer the sidelines.”
“Not comfortable with stardom? Inconceivable. How is it that we’re friends, again?”