Emily grabs glasses from both our bathrooms and adds ice and Diet Coke for us to chase the liquor.

After we all take our first sip and grimace, I look around at the setup. “I did not expect this. Especially from you.” I glance at Bri.

She shrugs. “It helps with nerves and sleep. Plus, it’s fun because I never lose.”

She takes a drink, and it’s like a domino effect until we’ve each taken another sip. We hold up our bottles to compare and sure enough, Bri has the most left.

“What can I say? It’s a gift,” she says triumphantly.

“Real sips, Bri,” Emily grumbles. “Next time, I’m going to bring a Sharpie and draw a line before each drink to make sure it goes down.”

“I’m drinking it,” Bri says and takes another, forcing us all to go.

Without being able to talk about the game tomorrow, which is on all our minds, we fall quiet. Sydney is the first to break the silence. “I need a boyfriend.”

Emily groans.

Bri rolls her eyes. “You don’t need a boyfriend.”

“Okay, fine,” Sydney huffs. “I want one. When we get back to Valley tomorrow night, it’s my new mission. Screw Shaw and his friend-zoning, video-gaming, sexy ass.”

“You want me to knock him over the head with a controller next time I see him?” I offer.

She giggles. “Yes, please.”

We offer her sympathy smiles, and she shakes her head. “Let’s talk about something else. Chloe, tell them what you told me about how you really met Nathan.”

“Oh.” I take a drink without realizing it until the others follow suit. I look to Emily and Bri guiltily. “Nathan wasn’t really my boyfriend the morning you walked in on us before classes started. I met him at the mixer the night before and one thing led to another.”

Emily laughs. “You dirty skank.”

“I’m sorry I lied. I panicked and then you guys seemed to warm up to me because of him.” I shake my head. “It was shitty, and I’m sorry.”

“But they’re together now. Isn’t that twisted and romantic?” Sydney asks and takes a drink. She holds her bottle up. “Shit, I’m out.”

“Me, too,” Emily says.

Bri and I look at each other as we take our final sips.

Emily motions to the remaining bottles. “Pick your bottle, ladies.”

Bri holds out, waiting for me, and I take the Smirnoff.

She grabs the Wild Turkey.

“You’re full of surprises.”

She grins.

Sydney holds up her hand between us. “On your mark, get set, go!”

We both hurry to open our bottles. I have a slight edge on her as I get the bottle to my lips first, but I hesitate as the liquor hits my tongue. I fight to get the rest of it down, but it’s Bri who slams her empty bottle onto the bed first. “Undefeated.”