“I’m taking my coat off. What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Don’t take it off.” Julian began to button up my coat.
I swatted his hand away and pulled my coat off my shoulders. Inhaling, I placed my coat on my forearm. “What’s gotten into you?”
Julian looked around, his hand scratching his head before he met my gaze. “Brielle, put your coat on or we’re leaving. I’ won’t stay here and have every man look at you in that ridiculous excuse for a dress.”
My eyes widened. “Excuse me?” From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Delaney pull her gaze away from Nate and land on me. Her eyebrows pinched together.
“You heard me. Put it back on or we’re leaving.”
I tossed my coat on the closest chair and stepped closer to Julian. This had gone too far. “Let me remind you of something. One, you’re not my father. Two, you're not my boyfriend. So you either get over the fact this is what I’m wearing and we enjoy the night, or you can leave.” My hands rested at my waist as I waited for him to respond. Delaney's head snapped in my direction. Her eyes were wide like a deer caught in headlights.
“You know what?” He paused. “Do whatever the fuck you want. I’m not fucking staying here.” Without another word, Julian marched out of the house the same way we arrived.
Exhaling, I turned over to Delaney. “I need a big drink.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “You guys broke up?”
“It wasn't working out. I really wasn't into him. But we remained friends. Or at least I thought.” My last word fell flat as Nate greeted us with his presence. I forced myself to look at anything but his taut chest.
“Where did Julian go?” Nate asked.
“Home.” I shrugged. Nate’s eyes squinted as if he was trying to read between the lines.
“Moose, come on! We need a picture,” some girl called from behind him.
Delaney’s lips puckered together. “Go. Have fun at your party. Come on, Brie. Let’s go find some tequila.” She laced her arm through mine and spun me so our backs were to Nate.
“What was that about?” I asked when we managed to find our way through the sea of bodies and into the kitchen. “I thought you wanted to come here.”
Delaney yanked a bottle from the counter, along with two plastic cups. She handed me one and she poured amber liquid into mine and then hers. “He’s fucking Santa,” she muttered through gritted teeth and shot the liquor down her throat. She swallowed, shook her face in disgust, and motioned for me to drink mine.
I followed suit and gagged as the alcohol burned down my throat. “God!” I held my hand over my mouth. “That’s horrible.” Delaney poured another shot into her glass and then mine. “What does him being dressed up as Santa have to do with us pouring rubbing alcohol down our throats?”
Delaney drank back another gulp. “Every year they have two of these parties. Christmas and Easter. Every time someone is Sexy Santa or Bad Boy Bunny. The girls get drunk and toward the end of the night they get to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him if they’ve been naughty or nice.” She lifted my cup to my lips. I contemplated not drinking it, but the thoughts of girls sitting on Nate had me seeking more liquor.
The second shot wasn’t as bad as the first. “What do you tell the Easter Bunny?” Heat permeated through my body.
Delaney filled our cups again. I wasn’t a drinker. I avoided parties and only drank once a year. I was in for a messy night if Delaney kept pouring me shots.
“You ask him to fertilize your eggs.”
“Ew.” I scrunched my face.
“Here’s to the Wright brothers being complete dick faces.” She held up her cup and toasted it with mine. We tossed back a third shot which surprisingly went down smoothly. She was right. Julian was a dick for telling me to cover up and Nate was a fucking sexy Santa.
A heavy arm draped over Delaney’s shoulder and mine. I stepped to the side to steady my balance.
“What are you two ladies drinking tonight?”
“Seriously, Austin, you’re putting all your weight on me.” Delaney shoved his hand off her shoulder and I did the same.
“You’ve never complained about it before.” His lip curled into a devious smile.
I watched Delaney dramatically roll her eyes at him. “You’re drunk and talking out of your ass.” She took another swig of the bottle. “Come on.” Delaney put the bottle down and grasped my hand. “Let’s go play some flip cup and get wasted.”
I followed her outside, and the cool air felt refreshing on my warm skin. Whatever Delaney gave me to drink was working because suddenly I was really happy.