Disclaimer:I still don't own the Ducks, but I'm working on it.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for the reviews! I mean it, they really make my day!
"Please tell me that is not a damn bon fire I see" Julie griped as we neared what Charlie likes to affectionately call the usual party spot. "It is definitely too hot for a bon fire."
"And yet, I think it's highly unlikely that you're imagining it" I patted Julie on the back.
"You can always hope though" Emilyn added lightly and I laughed grateful she had the clarity to make such a comment when contact with Adam loomed in her immediate future. I'm not kidding. Half of the time, the poor girl just freezes.
"Ladies, ladies," Averman greeted us, "you are all looking wonderful tonight", and I was reminded of a time when I would have been offended by such a comment. "Keg's where it always is, and Connie, Guy's looking for someone to take shots with" he continued ushering us forward. That was my cue to go. I don't know why he said it like that, 'Connie, Guy's looking for someone to take shots with'. What he meant, what we all knew he meant was 'Connie, Guy's looking for you so that you two can take your shots, like you always do', because we always do. It gets the buzz going faster, and besides, by now it's tradition.
"Guy Germaine, fancy seeing you here" I greeted when I found where he had set up shop. I had to smile at the precise way he had laid out the vodka, our favorite, the shot glasses, and the Dr. Pepper I was destined to beg for when we were finished- carbonation in the spirit of getting the buzz going faster.
"Connie" he looked up and smiled genuinely then studied me appraisingly, which I'll admit was my goal. "You look amazing." He poured me a shot which I downed immediately and waited for another. Determined to make it a long night, I only took three then poured myself a Solo cup of Dr. Pepper, heavy on the vodka, and waited for Guy to walk around with me.
As the alcohol began to take its effect on me, it seemed more and more certain that when I had gotten ready, and even right then, I had as Julie had so eloquently put it, 'another Connie and Guy fiasco' in mind. Grateful that I had decided not to, well, incapacitate myself with the amount of alcohol I consumed right away, I tried to decide my next course of action. After all, there had been no Guy and I for two years now, and we had both been comfortable with that fact. What was suddenly so urgent about renewing our relationship? I was torn from my thoughts by the realization that Guy had been attempting to carry on a conversation with me.
"Sorry, what?" I asked completely in the dark as to what he had been talking about.
"Nothing really, I was mostly talking to myself. I realized I lost you a couple minutes ago" Guy laughed at my confusion. For some reason, I blame the vodka, I felt laughter bubble up in my throat until I could no longer contain it. As it escaped into the night air, I put my hand on Guy's shoulder to steady myself.
"Here, drink some of this" I handed him my cup, which was by now mostly empty, not satisfied with the state of his sobriety in relation to what seemed to be fast becoming the lack of mine.
"You can have it, I'm headed for the keg" he pushed it gently away.
"As you wish" I quoted The Princess Bride and tipped the cup back, finishing it with expertise. Out of us girls, I'm definitely the heavy drinker, the party girl. "Guy," I slowed him grabbing his shoulders, "I have some bad news."
"What's that, babe?" he laughed in that way he only does when I'm doing something he thinks is funny- he almost giggles.
"I must leave you for now. I've got to find Emilyn or Banksie and tell them that they like each other" I whispered as if those around us were listening.
"Ok, come find me when you're done" he giggle/laughed again and I turned unsteadily, intent on my mission. It didn't take long, I found Adam and Charlie congratulating themselves for another successful party in that cocky but endearing manner they can posses.
"Banksie, baby," I pulled him away from Charlie and forced him to sit down on the grass, "I know."
"You know what, Connie?" He questioned, looking puzzled, amusement evident.
"You better drink that" I tipped the cup of beer he held to his lips and refused to continue until it was empty. When it was, I repeated, "I know." He just stared at me, expression anticipatory, and I finally elaborated, "You like Emmy, Emmy likes you. If you two would just get together, things would be a lot less miserable for both of you- and Julie and me."
"Con, Emilyn is into that senior, what's his name? Anyway, she doesn't want anything to do with me- well, except as a friend."
"Silly Banksie," I got up and patted his head, "just go talk to her. I have to find Guy."
"And why is that?" he eyed me knowingly.
"Because I have to go have sex with him" I informed Adam realizing a second later that that was not what I had meant to say, or even what I had meant at all. When I'm drunk, I have a problem with articulating what I'm trying to say and also, like now, with saying things that I don't mean.
"Connie, why don't you come sit down" Adam said somewhat sternly and I rushed to explain.
"That wasn't what I meant. I swear Banksie, it wasn't. I'm not going to go do something I haven't ever done before. I just meant, well I'm not sure what I meant, but I won't. At least not tonight" I said knowing that my explanation revealed more of my recent thoughts than I had intended but not particularly caring. I also had a notion that my confession had distracted Adam from what I had assured him about Emilyn. I was beginning to see that starting something up again with Guy was going to be a big deal with our friends. It was as if they had been holding their breaths waiting for it to happen, just like I had been in a way. Just like I know Guy has been.
While the subject of Guy, me, and sex has been broached I should explain. We haven't. Due, I'm sure, only to the fact that we haven't been anything official since we were fourteen. I've always known that the first time I have sex it will be with Guy, not to be sentimental or girly. There's just never been anyone else I've thought seriously of doing something that important with. Not that I'm planning to wait until the wedding day, or night, I still assure you will eventually come. I was serious about the 'at least not tonight' comment. If Guy and I were truly back together, I'm positive it would happen.
In my search for Guy I was distracted frequently, so that by the time I had found him, my head had cleared enough for me to make my move, although I wasn't entirely sure yet what that move would be. He didn't make that decision a hard one for me.
"Connie, you were lost" Guy put his arm around my back pulling me close. Being that close to him, hell being touched by him at all, sent that shock through me. You know, when your heart stops for just a split second and you can't help but smile. Any contact at all with Guy has always done that to me, but for some reason it never gets old.
Then I guess we had one of those 'world stops, no one matters but you and the person you love' moments, however corny that is. I mean, there's got to be some merit to them or why would they be talked about and written about so much for so long. I've always believed Guy and I shared them, at least. Then again I've also always been aware that as far as anyone else was concerned, we were just acting dramatic and over-romantic at such times.
Anyway, being face to face with Guy like that, and feeling the way I had almost forgotten he can make me feel brought me to my senses. I couldn't drunkenly kiss him, and nothing new between us would be begun at a party in the woods at Eden Hall. And so, I kissed him on the cheek quickly and tore myself from him in search of Julie or my bed, but hopefully both.