Chapter 137

• It stung a little, but I excused myself inside. Briefly, I felt like an outsider in my own house. Inside again, the party continued to pick up steam. Couples and small groups were breaking off, either to bedrooms or a couch or any other available surface. The sight was overwhelming -- exactly as we had planned.
• Alix and Gloria had begun a girl-on-girl show, like a couple strippers entertaining a bachelor party. Jess had disappeared, and I noticed Marco and Jonathan Summers were gone, too. I noted that Kat and Rita had won the attention of Johnny Burris, forcing Shelly to focus on his teammate, Bryce. She had to compete with Brittany for him. There was an increasing amount of nudity, and I needed to find someone to help me join the fun. My buzz waned, so I made my way to the large mirrored tray of cocaine that was nearest the front door, underneath the grand staircase.
• I arrived just as Ashley was wrapping up. Her thick mane of shockingly red hair flew as she threw back her head and stared up as she gave three short inhales. She turned and smiled at me.