While that comment normally would have amused me, I needed the jackass to shut up before he connected the dots for Kiera. Thankfully, she still seemed clueless as she stared at Griffin in confusion. Good. I tried pushing him away to get him to shut up, but jostling him didn’t stop his mouth. “That was so hot…like, off the scales hot. You guys should make a porno…I’d totally buy it!”

Kiera sputtered the sip of beer she’d just taken, and I knew those words were penetrating her drunken haze, filling in blanks that I didn’t want filled in just yet. Goddamn it, Griffin. Her face was starting to pale as the people around us either laughed at Griffin or nodded in agreement with him. Knowing I needed to change the mood in here quick, I shoved Griffin out of my way and hurried over to the silent stereo. I turned it up to nightclub levels again, then hopped on Matt’s super-sturdy coffee table. This group needed to be entertained if they were going to forget about the bathroom, and if there was one thing on Earth I was good at, it was entertaining people.

The song playing was a good anthem type song. I started singing it to the people around me, and they started singing it right back. As a group began to form around the coffee table, making a mini stage for me, I extended my hand to Kiera so she could join me in the spotlight. She laughed as she did, and I knew she’d let Griffin’s crude comment slide. I’d tell her about it later, because I didn’t want her to find out from someone else, but not now. Now was just for having fun.

Chapter 14

GOODBYE

Much to my dismay, the night eventually turned into morning. Partiers started leaving, wishing me luck with a clap on the shoulder. When only a handful of people were left, Matt shut off the music. “Bed…sleep…me…” he muttered, before retreating with Rachel to his room.

Kiera yawned in my arms as we slow danced to silence. Knowing she was done, I led her to the couch. We sat for a moment, but it was pretty clear by Kiera’s lethargy that she was seconds away from passing out. I laid down on the couch and Kiera climbed right on top of me, settling herself on my chest, using me as her body pillow. I couldn’t stop smiling as I gently stroked her back. This was heaven. And I was really going to miss it.