"Jane says
I'm done with Sergio
He treats me like a rag doll
She hides
The television
Says I don't owe him nothing,
But if he comes back again
Tell him to wait right here for me
Or just
Try again tomorrow
I'm gonna kick tomorrow
Gonna kick tomorrow…"

--Jane's Addiction

The Aftermath of the Afterparty

I held open the door of the taxi as Luke and Anna climbed inside.

"So, dude…" Luke started.

"No talking. Not yet," I replied. I had just lied to three different sets of parents. The Cohens, The Sterns and Luke's mother. I had never been a good liar but I was setting a record for tonight.

"What's our story?" Anna asked after the car was moving.

"You're sick," I said.

"I am?" Anna smirked. "Oh, yeah, I am. And you guys have to take me home, right?"

"Exactly. Sandy said that we just made the shortest appearance ever allowed at a Newport function," I sighed.

"I think we were there twenty minutes, tops," Luke laughed. "But it was one of the longest twenty minutes of my life."

"So what happened with Marissa?" I asked. I'd been waiting to hear about the conversation that I'd missed.

"I'm so sorry about that, Ryan, I just couldn't believe that she accused me of fucking Luke when I haven't even had a real conversation with him before today. I mean, the chick is just clueless," Anna sighed. She was leaning against Luke and he had his arm around her.

"Where'd she get that idea from?" I asked. Luke's eyelids were drooping and he was barely alert. I knew what he was feeling because I was beat, too. This binge had taken a lot out of me and my hangover seemed to be kicking in already.

"Why is it any of her business what Luke does? Isn't she supposed to be trying to get you back?" Anna snapped. I shrugged. I didn't know what was going on in Marissa's head right now. "Anyway, I snapped on her and told her to mind her own damned business and if I want to hang out with Luke or you that I would and she could go to hell. Then, you and that waitress decided to have that PDA at the table and she just took off. My turn. What was that with Theresa?"

I covered my face. I didn't have an answer for her. "I don't know."

"You don't know? You mean, she molested you?" Anna asked with a straight face. I had to laugh at her seriousness.

"I wish she'd molest me," Luke muttered and I shoved him playfully.

"I'm not going to comment on that," I murmured. Out of the three of us, Luke's the only one that could actually have a case for being molested. Julie Cooper was old enough to be his mother. I couldn't stop the chuckle as I thought about it. Luke joined me and Anna glanced between us, confused.

"Okay, I'm trying not to be a nuisance, but something is going on between you guys and I'm dying of curiosity over here," Anna said. I wondered when she was going to push this. I glanced at Luke as the taxi pulled up to Anna's mansion. Luke shook his head at me. It wasn't my secret to tell and the more people that heard about it, the more likely it would be common gossip. I didn't think Anna would say anything but I knew that Luke and I wouldn't say anything.

"I promise you that you really don't want to know," Luke said as he helped her out. Luke paid the taxi driver as I put my hand on Anna's back to steady her.

"So what now?" I asked as the taxi pulled away.

"Well, I'm going to eat some ibuprofen and crash out. At least I have an excuse for being sick as hell tomorrow."

"Well, give us a call, Anna. I mean, maybe we can hang out again," Luke embraced her.

"Yeah, there's still gossip to be made," I laughed as I hugged her once Luke released her. Anna was a sweet girl and she was smarter than I had ever imagined. She deserved someone who could love her since Seth couldn't.

"Take care, guys. Thanks for the drunken bonding. I'll hate you both tomorrow, but for tonight, it's nice," She grinned. She disappeared into the house as Luke and I climbed into his truck.

"Are you cool to drive?" I asked. Luke seemed a little sluggish but I knew from experience that even though he was drunk, he could probably still drive. Drinking and driving was a learned skill and Luke had proven to me that he was well-learned. Not a talent to be proud of but it came in handy.

"I'll drive and you can navigate," Luke replied.

"How's that work?"

"I drive and if you see me swerve off-course, yell. That's how we do it in the OC," Luke grinned.

"Don't call me a bitch or I'll have to hurt you," I laughed.

We rode in silence. Luke was concentrating on staying between the lines and I was trying to think about all the drama that we had just escaped from. Marissa was mad at me. She saw me kiss Theresa. Theresa wanted me. Marissa wanted me. Seth was pissed at me. Sandy was suspicious. I was looking at some serious damage control tomorrow. I heard the scraping of metal suddenly.

"Shit…" Luke muttered as he sideswiped a parked car and swerved sideways in the street.

"Shit…" I echoed as I jumped out of the truck to assess the damage. There was a long scratch down the side of Luke's truck and the mirror was hanging off the car.

"How's it look?"

"Just go," I said as I got back into the truck.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Just go," I repeated. Luke straightened the truck and took off with a squeal of tires. "You're drunk and if the cops come, you'll lose your license for being underage," I said.

"Shit…should I leave my insurance information?" Luke asked.

"Fuck it. Nobody saw us, we should be clear…" I had my fingers crossed as Luke drove faster. My ticket to hell had been sealed. Maybe I should ask Luke to turn around so I could steal the car for good measure.

"Damn…"

"Don't panic. We'll fix the truck tomorrow, it's just scratched. I'm sorry, Luke…"

"It's not your fault, but you're a shitty navigator," Luke said nervously.

"Thanks," I smiled. Luke roared through the gate toward the Cohen's.

"Can I crash on your couch?" Luke asked as he parked his truck.

"Did you talk to your mom tonight? Is it still cool?" I asked.

"I'll talk to her first thing tomorrow…" Luke started.

"Sure. You going to Julie's?" I asked.

"Yeah. She was pretty upset when we left so I promised her I'd come by," Luke admitted.

"Be careful, man. We're skating on some serious ice here and it's getting thinner by the second," I said.

"I know. I think she's the one that told Marissa about me and Anna. Its almost like she's jealous," Luke said.

"It's getting more complicated, dude," I said to Luke as we walked around the edge of the house toward the poolhouse.

"It's always been complicated but…I thought I'd be the one getting overinvolved. I mean, she's a grown woman and she's jealous of a high school girl…"

"She's a grown woman that's fucking a high-school boy, Luke. A woman is a woman. Jealousy comes with the tampons," I remarked. He laughed.

"So what are you going to do?" He asked.

I shrugged. "I'm going to bed."

"About your ladies, Ryan?" Luke rephrased.

I shrugged again. I didn't have an answer. I didn't know. I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes. "I'm going to sleep on it," I said. The room spun for a few seconds and I didn't hear what else Luke said.

*****

"Ryan. Ryan, wake up." Sandy's voice was stern and serious. I opened my eyes and winced at the bright sunlight that was streaming through the opened blinds. Sandy was standing over my bed.

"Hey…" I muttered before my headache took my words. God. I felt like hell.

"Where's Luke?" Sandy demanded.

"What?" I sat up. I didn't see Luke.

"Where is Luke? His truck's in our driveway and his mother is looking for him. Where is he?"

As if I didn't have enough problems, Luke wasn't back from Julie's yet. Shit. What was I supposed to say? "Is he in the bathroom?"

"No," Sandy answered immediately. "I already checked. Where is he, Ryan? Don't tell me you don't know, I've had enough lies from you in the last twenty-four hours," He said seriously.

"What?" I asked. I wanted to know what he knew before I offered any information. God, I couldn't even focus on him because of the pain in my head. I could feel my nausea growing.

"Ryan. Tell me the truth. Where is Luke?"

Before I could answer, the door to the poolhouse swung open and Luke stepped inside, still wearing his tux. "Damn, Ryan, are you awake…oh…hey, Mr. Cohen."

Sandy glanced from me to Luke with a disapproving and very confused expression on his face. This was not good. I could see Sandy switching into attorney mode for the interrogation. I was going to be sick. I rushed from the room to the bathroom and emptied my stomach into the toilet.

"You're not my son but when you're on my property, you are my responsibility," Sandy's voice carried to the bathroom as I was flushing and brushing my teeth. I hadn't eaten much yesterday so hopefully I wouldn't have much more vomiting to do, but there was also the chance that I would dry heave. My tolerance was much lower in Newport. I hadn't threw up from liquor in years. This hangover was not fun.

"Mr. Cohen…"

"I want you to tell me the truth, Luke," Sandy demanded. I reentered the room and met Luke's panicked gaze. I had no answer. Sandy glanced at me.

"Mr. Cohen…" Luke started again.

"What is going on? You're still in your clothes from last night. I'm not getting to the drinking yet, I just want to know where you've been," Sandy said. "I want the truth."

"I can't tell you," Luke said quietly. I closed my eyes. This was going to be interesting.

"Luke. This is serious," Sandy sighed.

"It's not just about him. There are other factors involved," I whispered.

"I need to know what's going on right now. I told your mother that you were sleeping. I lied for you. I need to know why I'm lying," Sandy said. "If there are other factors involved…then I'll respect that. You can trust me."

I raised my eyebrows as Luke glanced at me. I trusted Sandy but this was something I didn't even think he'd be able to keep confidential. There had to be a way out of this. Maybe if my head wasn't pounding, I could think of one.

"Luke. Tell me," Sandy demanded.

"Give him a dollar," I said to Luke suddenly.

"What?" Luke and Sandy asked in unison.

"If Luke gives you a dollar then you'll be bound by the confidentiality agreement. He'll be paying you for your services and you can't say anything to anyone, right?"

Sandy sighed. "Is it that big of a deal, guys?"

Luke glanced at me, more panicked. He wasn't going to talk about this and it wasn't my place. He shook his head at me. "I can't."

"Bad idea," I whispered.

Sandy glanced from me to Luke, confused and concerned. "You're both in a load of trouble, you know that right?" I nodded. "Luke can't stay here anymore if I don't get some answers."

Luke turned away for a moment and I could tell that he was just as hungover as me. He rushed from the room and left me alone with Sandy.

"Ryan…"

"I can't talk about it. It's not my place," I said.

"This is serious…" Sandy began.

"I'm well aware." I whispered. I met his gaze. "I don't know if you realize how serious." I didn't like lying to Sandy but I wouldn't let Luke take the fall for this. I was involved, too. I was covering for him.

"You were drunk last night. You lied to Kirsten, you lied to her face and then you came to that party and lied to me, too. You and Luke are into something and I demand to know what it is," Sandy said. I had never heard Sandy sound so angry. He was really angry and I couldn't talk my way out of this.

I didn't answer him. I couldn't lie to him again. I lowered my eyes.

"Talk to me, Ryan. I don't want this to be another Oliver incident…" Sandy started. Luke walked out.

"This doesn't involve him, Mr. Cohen," Luke said.

"He's lying for you. He's involved," Sandy replied, still staring me down. I wouldn't meet his eyes. I couldn't lie to him again.

"Can I give you a dollar?" Luke asked after a long silence.

Sandy glanced between us and finally nodded. Luke pulled a dollar out of his wallet and handed it to Sandy. "Sit down."

Luke sat down on my bed and I sat down beside him.

"Tell me," Sandy said. Luke glanced at me and didn't speak. "Come on, guys, you're only making it worse on yourself…"

"Luke's seeing someone," I said quietly.

"Who? Why are you protecting him?" Sandy asked me.

"Julie Cooper," Luke whispered. Sandy lost all color in his face. He was clearly stunned by Luke's revelation.

"Dear God…" Sandy muttered.

"Hey, Ryan…oh. Hey Dad. Luke," Seth walked into the poolhouse.

"It's not a good time, Seth," Sandy sighed.

"Okay, but Theresa's here to see Ryan," Seth said, giving me a worried look. I knew he'd grill me for information as soon as we were alone but it was too late now. Sandy waved Seth away and waited for the door to close to speak. I didn't even try to get up. Seth could entertain Theresa.

"How…oh god. Luke…what are you thinking?" Sandy breathed. Luke didn't answer. He wasn't meeting my gaze either. This was really bad.

"You can't say anything, Mr. Cohen…" Luke said quietly. He glanced up and met Sandy's piercing stare.

"Luke…Julie Cooper?" Sandy asked.

"Repeating it doesn't make it less weird," I muttered.

"You knew about this? How long?" Sandy asked.

"I only told Ryan yesterday," Luke said.

"I knew something was going on."

"How long, Luke?"

"A few weeks. Since Valentines," Luke replied.

"Really?" I asked. I didn't know he got laid on Valentines Day. I always expected him to be a bragger but he hadn't said anything.

"What are you going to do?" Sandy asked.

"I…" Luke started, glancing at me.

"God, Sandy, give the man a little space," I muttered.

Sandy glared at me. "Go tell Theresa that you can't come out and play."

I got up to go to the door and saw Seth approaching. He opened the door for me as I walked out.

"Hey. Marissa's here, too."

"Fuck," I said. This was bad. Everything I had walked away from last night was finding me and I didn't know how I felt about either of them. I loved Marissa but she betrayed me. I cared about Theresa too, and it was just really easy to remember the feelings we used to share.

"Dude. You okay?" Seth asked.

"Not at all." I opened the door to the kitchen and heard Marissa's voice.

"You have no right to be here," Marissa was saying.

"Me? You're the bitch that broke his heart," Theresa snapped. They were standing entirely too close to each other and I recognized that look on Theresa's face. They both looked damned hot, though.

Marissa pulled back her hand to slap Theresa but Theresa instinctively grabbed her wrist and retaliated by using her free hand to slap Marissa. Marissa gasped and I couldn't get to them in time and she backhanded Theresa and knocked her back several steps. I grabbed Theresa by the waist as Seth went for Marissa.

"Bitch! I know you didn't just touch me! Let me go, Ryan! Goddammit!" Theresa was kicking and clawing at me to release her.

Seth started yelling for Sandy as Marissa broke free of his grasp and Theresa and I fell to the floor.

"I'm going to fuck her up…" Theresa hissed as she elbowed me in the face and broke loose. She grabbed Marissa by the ankles and pulled her to the floor.

"What the hell?" Sandy demanded as he rushed in. "Marissa! Theresa! Stop it!"

Marissa screamed as Theresa pulled her hair. Seth started spraying cold water on the two wrestling girls and they broke apart, both panting with exhaustion.

"Take it outside if you're going to fight," Sandy ordered. God, he was angry. No one moved.

"I think you should leave," I said after a tense silence.

Theresa and Marissa glanced at each other. Seth spoke. "Who?"

I looked at them. First Marissa then Theresa. This was hard. "You want something you can't have. I can't be with either of you."

"Ryan…" Marissa started to cry.

"I can't forget it Marissa. Maybe I can forgive you but I'll never forget what happened. I just need some time…"

Theresa didn't look at me until I said her name. "Theresa. We've been down this road enough times to know that it doesn't work."

She smiled at me. "But we always have fun, baby." She was using her 'turn on" voice and I closed my eyes.

"I just want you to talk to me," Marissa said with a sob.

"He doesn't have anything to say to you," Theresa snapped.

"Please," I said. "Go."

Marissa stifled a sob and rushed from the house. I hoped she wouldn't drive when she was so upset. Theresa was staring at me from the floor a few feet away.

"Ryan…" She started.

"Theresa, he asked you to go," Seth said. I nodded. I was glad that he could tell that I couldn't say it again. My head was killing me and I had just turned away Marissa.

Theresa stood up and walked over to where I was sitting. "I'm sorry I hurt you," She said.

"It's not the first time," I replied. She offered her hand and I accepted her help to my feet. She pulled me into a hug.

"If you want to have fun again, you know where to find me." She whispered. She turned her head to kiss me but I pulled away.

"I asked you to go," I whispered.

She frowned, hurt on her face. She turned and walked out.

Sandy and Seth were staring at me.

"Dude. That was the hottest catfight that I've ever seen," Seth said. He bowed reverently to me.

"Are you okay?" Sandy asked.

I touched my hand to my face. My nose was bleeding. That's what Theresa meant. I just lost them both.

"Ryan?" Sandy called.

"So I'm grounded, right?" I asked.

Sandy looked at me, concerned. "What?"

"Grounded," I repeated.

Sandy glanced at Seth. "Yes, Ryan. I still need to talk to you."

"Yeah." I left the kitchen and made it barely back to the poolhouse bathroom. Luke called my name but I was sick.

*****

I took a shower before walking out of the bathroom. I was clean but my head hurt and my face hurt and I was freezing. I remembered why I quit drinking.

"Hey. What happened in there?" Luke asked.

"What happened out here?"

Luke sighed. "Sandy advises me to get out now. He says its only going to get more complicated but…I tried to break it off last night and she…"

"She begged you to forgive her…" I offered.

"Yeah, but not forgive, just to …she begged me to stay," Luke said, affected. "How do I walk away from her? I care about her and I don't want her to be upset…"

I sat down on the bed. Luke had more morals than I did. I was the poster child for walking away.

"Ry?"

"I'm sorry, Luke. That Sandy found out and…"

"It's cool. It's not your fault. You were just trying to help me and I appreciate it."

I nodded.

"So who punched you?"

"Marissa and Theresa got into a fight. Theresa elbowed me in the face when I was holding her back."

"Holy shit, I missed that? Who won?"

"Seth hosed them down. Theresa was on top," I said. Luke laughed. Finally, I joined him.

After a few minutes, we settled back into silence. I didn't know what Luke was going to do. I didn't know what I was going to do. I knew that Marissa would eventually move on if I kept shutting her down. Theresa, well, she'd always be there for a fling but I had shut her down, too. At least, after the impromptu conference in the kitchen, I'd have a little time before either of them talked to me again. What had I done?

"What am I going to do?" Luke asked.

"I was just asking myself the same thing," I replied with a sigh.

*****