7- whiskey is better


The rest of the week went by in a dull blur. Full of teachers yapping about random events that happened before any of us were even born. Full of students gossiping about whatever piece of information they had heard in their previous class. Cheer practice went as usual, at least this time, I didn't get into trouble with Heather. Instead she complimented me on my quick learning of our new routines. Well she did give me some criticism, but it was taken well by me.


In case you were also wondering, I did finally get my Taco Bell. Only instead of not telling my parents that I was going to be getting food with Lacey, I told them. At first they weren't thrilled about me bending the rule of coming home right after cheer practice, but thirty pretty please texts later, they caved in. I did, however, have to do laundry when I got home. If you haven't already noticed, my parents like to add in chores to our punishment.


It was now Saturday, Lacey and I were currently at Tyson's enjoying a light lunch before heading off to an afternoon cheer practice. Heather told us last night after the game that she had a prior commitment that she couldn't get out of. That commitment being going to a relative's birthday party. So instead of giving us the day off, she chose to schedule practice for later in the day.


"What time did Heather say she would be back?" I ask Lacey before taking a bite of my salad.


"I think around four." Lacey replies.


"That's three hours from now." I say furrowing my brows.


"Sure is." Lacey nods.


I sigh, "What are we suppose to do until then?"


Lacey shrugs, "We can go to the mall." She suggests.


I know that if I go to the mall I will spend all the money I have which will earn another lecture from my parents about saving money. I got that conversation when they first gave me a debit card. Poor Carter will be getting that conversation soon.


Lacey and I finish eating while exchanging small talk. One thing I love about having Lacey as my bestie is that we never run out of things to talk about. Of course there is one conversation we always try to avoid. I look down at Lacey's wrist to see the infinity bracelet that is identical to mine. We both promised to never take them off.


"Logan?" Lacey suddenly says which shakes me from my thoughts.


I look behind us to see that it is indeed Logan, the guy that Lacey is currently hung up on.


"Did you invite him here?" I whisper. Lacey shakes her head no.


"He's coming over." She giggles.


I roll my eyes and put my head in my hands. I so thought she would of been over this guy by now. Its been what...two weeks?


"Hey Lacey." Logan greets with a slight wave when he reaches our table.


"Hi." Lacey blushes. Ugh. "Oh, I haven't officially introduced you to my bestie. Logan this is Taylor." Lacey introduces. Now he knows my name, thanks a lot Lacey.


"Nice to meet you." Logan looks in my direction.


I muster up a smile, "Back at ya."


"So, Logan, what are you doing here?" Lacey asks while playing with a strand of her hair. I may throw up in a minute.


"Some friends and I are watching a movie and we need some food." He explains. "What about you ladies?"


"We are killing time before cheer practice." Lacey answers.


"Dude! I could use your help!" A voice I know too well shouts to Logan.


I turn around to see that it is indeed Nick.


Logan excuses himself to go help his friend then they both return back to our table carrying two bags of food each.


"Nick, this is the girl I was telling you about and her friend. That's Lacey and Taylor." He explains to Nick.


"Oh we actually go to school with him." Lacey laughs lightly.


Logan gasps, "Nick you have these hotties at your school and never told me!"


Nick rolls his eyes, "Must of slipped my mind."


"What time is your cheer practice?" Logan asks Lacey.


"Umm...probably not until four. Our captain is out of town the moment." Lacey explains. Ugh, she couldn't of said practice started now.


"I have idea." Logan announces.


"Logan, don't." Nick warns.


"They won't care." Logan whispers loud enough to Nick for us to hear. Lacey and I exchange a look. Nick finally gives into their silent conversation because he sighs in exasperation.


"Why don't you two come to our friends house and watch a movie with us." Logan suggests.


Now it was my and Lacey's turn to have a silent conversation. I was not on board with this and she seemed to be ready to jump off into the unknown. In the end I found myself being in the exact same position as Nick.


And here I am standing in the parking lot of Tyson's, glaring holes at Lacey's car as it vanishes down the road. According to Lacey and Logan, it was easier for those two to ride together and for me to ride with Nick. I don't see how that makes sense. I suggested that I ride in the backseat in Lacey's car but they weren't fans of that.


I was trying my hardest to come up with a believable excuse to give Nick so I wouldn't have to ride with him. He also didn't seem to excited to have me riding in his car.


"Are you going to get in or not?" He asks with his arms crossed.


"You know, I can just walk home from here. It isn't that far." It was far. I could get home in ten to fifteen minutes...by car. But on foot, it would probably take me at least twenty-five to thirty minutes.


"Come on, cheerleader, if your little friend finds out that I let you walk home she might get pissed." He points out.


I doubt it, she is completely infatuated with Logan, she might not even notice my absence.


I continue the debate in my head for a good five more minutes before finally giving in.


I sigh and walk over to Nick's very nice vehicle, a red four door Jeep Wrangler. He has a very nice car.


"Are you done drooling?" He smirks.


"I wasn't drooling." I defend. But let's be real, I was. Don't get me wrong, my car is nice but his is way nicer.


"Yeah, whatever cheerleader." He says getting in the jeep.


"I have a name!" I huff and get in as well only to have the breath knocked out of me. The inside of his jeep is even more gorgeous. All black interior. Batman has a very nice Bat-mobile.


"Bat-mobile?" He cocks an eye brow.


Shit I said that out loud.


"You did." He says.


Son of bitch!


"Who knew the cheerleader used such bad language." He laughs.


I just narrow my eyes at him.


- - - - - - - -


Fifteen minutes and a very awkward drive later we arrive to the destination. Throughout the drive Nick was blasting some band that I couldn't understand a word they said, it was also terrifying. I may not be able to sleep tonight. I'm pretty sure Nick didn't like the band either, because he was trying to be subtle with his wincing when they tried to hit a high note. My guess was that he chose the ear splitting music to annoy me but it backfired onto him as well.


Sucker.


I get out of the car to see a very large brick house. Where the fuck are we?


"Who lives here?" I ask in complete shock.


"Daniel Barron." Nick answers.


My eyes go wide and my mouth drops open, "The guy who runs the biggest real estate company in Massachusetts?"


"Yeah." Nick replies.


"You are friends with a guy in his late forties?" I ask.


"No! His kids you idiot." He scoffs and walks inside and I reluctantly follow suit.


"Nick you made it!" I know that voice. Jay comes into the living room along with my best friend, Logan and two other people who have red hair. I assume those are the Barron kids.


"And you brought my make out buddy!" Jay says excited. "Hello." He greets and plants a kiss right on my lips.


Oh God.


I feel a bit of pain, "Ow!" I hiss and push Jay off. "Son of a bitch! You bit me!"


"Yeah I did." Jay smirks and winks at me.


I really hate this guy.


"Let me look." Lacey says coming up to me. Lacey inspects my lip, "Oh dang, he made you bleed." Lacey gasps.


"Okay, Charlie you take care of her and I will set up the food and movie." The red haired girl says.


"Come on." The other boy says and grabs my arm leading me to who knows where.


That place turns out to be the kitchen where the boys sets me in a chair and tells me to stay put. At the moment I was considering running all the way back to my house.


Three minutes later the boy comes back, "Found the first aid kit." He holds up a blue box.


The boy examines my lip, "It doesn't look bad, but it still needs to be cleaned." I nod. "You don't have to be scared, I don't bite unlike Jay." He chuckles. I laugh lightly but wince when my lip stretches.


"I don't think I got your name." He says. "It might be rude to call you make out buddy, like Jay did."


"It's Taylor." I inform.


"Charlie." He says back.


Charlie has red hair and brown eyes and is about 5'9 in height. He also has a kind smile.


"I think rinsing with water will help." Charlie suggests.


"Actually can I have something stronger. I need to get the taste of Jay's tongue out of my mouth." I laugh.


"Sure." He nods and walks over to the cabinet and grabs a bottle out, "Whiskey should do the trick. You said your name was Taylor?" He asks.


"Yep. I go to school with Nick." I mumble.


Charlie stops what he's doing and turns to me and looks me up and down, not him too. "You're the girl, Nick-" he gets cut off by someone clearing their throat.


Charlie and I direct our attention to the person standing by the door with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Nick comes into the kitchen changing his glance from me to Charlie. Weird.


"Hey buddy." Charlie runs a hand through his red hair.


"Why do you have a bottle of Jack Daniels out?" Nick asks interested.


"Taylor preferred something stronger to rinse her mouth out with." Charlie explains.


"I want to get the taste of Jay's tongue out of my mouth." I shiver.


Nick nods his head in understanding. "Catherine needs help setting up the movie." He tells Charlie.


Charlie scoffs, "Every time she says she can set the movie up, my help is always needed. Catherine is a liar."


Nick holds his hands up in defense, "I'm just the messenger, man."


"Nick you can finish up here." Charlie says.


On his way out he stopped by the doorway to give Nick a look to which Nick returns one of his own. Another silent conversation...great.


While they are doing whatever it is, I get up from the chair Charlie planted me onto and walk over to the sink where the bottle of whiskey and cup are sitting. I pour the cup a third of the way full before raising it up to my lips only to have it yanked out of my hands by Nick.


"Hey! I wasn't planning on drinking it." I scowl.


Nick observes the contents before pouring it out. Wasteful. I glare at him. "You had a bit too much in there. Wouldn't want the cheerleader to get drunk." He says and pour a fourth of the whiskey in the cup then hands it back to me.


I roll my eyes but take the cup back up to my lips and rinsing my mouth out with it. The whiskey stung my lip but it was so worth doing it to get rid of having Jay's tongue down my throat. I was all for french kissing if I am attracted to the guy, I did not find myself falling for Jay at all.


I put the cup in the sink and grabbed the paper towel Nick had waiting for me. I was a tad bit shocked but didn't hound him on it.
"So, you have friends." I say not thinking.


Nick leans against the counter crossing his arms over his chest which makes his muscles bulge a little. "It seems I do." He chuckles.


"Cool." I mutter. I don't know why I am so surprised. I really am a terrible person for judging him. If my dad knew that I was judging a book by its cover, he would take my car away. He always taught my brothers and I to not assume the worst in people and I have been doing the exact opposite since meeting Nick.


Nick raises a brow at me, "You sound surprised."


Crap, he caught that.


"You said that you preferred to be a lone wolf. Yet you have a pack." I comment.


"I prefer to be alone at school. In case you missed it, I don't exactly fit into the 'Prep School Roll'." He says.


Ah, so he is doing what I am doing, judging me by my status. I really wanted to tell him that I am in no way what he thinks but that would open a whole new can of worms that was better left sealed shut.


"Kids from school know I have friends, they've seen me out with them. I'm not hiding it." He says serious.


"That's good." I say because I am kind of bummed that I am so caught in what a random boy thinks about me. I guess he believe rumors.


Nick is about to speak again but a high pitched voice cuts him off.


"Where is my Nicky?" The voice sounds female.


Nick curses under his breath and the next thing I know he is gone and I am left alone in a kitchen in a house I have never been to before.


Awesome.

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