Growing Up With My Mate

19. Party

Brighton POV

           I got to Brian’s house earlier that afternoon.  He wanted help setting up his house for his party- it was adorable how excited he was.  Dustin, Sally, Cole, Jessie, and Anna were there to help as well.  We started by pushing all the furniture out of the way for a makeshift dancefloor, then the boys started setting up stereos for music.  Anna brought pizza for the group as we chilled out before getting ready for the party. 

“Thanks for helping out guys- it means a lot,” Brian says with a blush. 

“Um, hello, you’re like throwing the ultimate party! I heard everyone was coming from our grades- might be because there will be alcohol, but still that’s great!” Anna exclaims.  She’s just as excited as Brian was. 

“Is everyone drinking tonight?”  Dustin’s question comes out and I honestly haven’t thought about it.  I’ve had sips of alcohol, but that was with parental supervision.  “I’ll probably just see how the night goes.  If I do, I do, if I don’t, then I don’t,” I say with a shrug.  Everyone else seems like it’s their answer as well. 

           When the kegs start coming in, all the girls head upstairs to change.  I brought a pair of skin tight jeans and a black flowy top.  I even went the extra mile and brought a pair of heels- entire wardrobe curtesy of the luna, or Maggie as she kept having me call her.  I placed my clothes on the bed.

“Oh no, no, no, Brighton.  What is this?” Anna scolds. 

“Oh leave her alone Anna… the outfit is cute Brighton,” Jessie says.  At that moment in time, I didn’t want to be cute- I picked that outfit because I thought it was sexier than my normal wear.  Obviously, the disappointment showed on my face. 

“You’re lucky, because I brought some extra options,” Anna happily shares.

“Me too!- a girl needs her options,” Sally says. 

“Y’all are great!  I just want to have fun tonight- not be the ‘untouchable’ Brighton everyone thinks I am.  Not saying I want to slut it up, but at least to dance, ya know?”  The girls look at me with small, understanding smiles. 

“Brighton, by the time we are done with you, boys will be begging the goddess to be your mate, trust me!”

           I ended up picking out one of Sally’s dresses.  It was formfitting sapphire blue dress with spaghetti straps.  I was happy that my gold heels matched it.  Jessie helped me with my make-up and Anna helped me with my hair.  My hair was right at the top of my shoulder blades and my layers added a retro shaggy look.  I felt my confidence rise as I looked in the mirror and my girls definitely had smiles of approval.  Jessies outfit was like the one I brought, but she said she had her mate and he practically devours her in anything, and she wanted to be comfortable.  Sally wore a green dress similar to my blue, except it was strapless.  With her red hair, she just popped and looked gorgeous- Dustin is going to flip.  Anna work the tightest jeans I’ve ever seen, paired with a black crop top and matching heels.  I could never pull that off. 

Everyone looks amazing and waking down the stairs, the guys definitely give us some whistles and howls.  Dustin growls and stalks towards Sally. “Nope, go change,” he says matter of factly, pointing towards the stairs.  He looks to me with a matching scowl and grabs us both by the elbows “Both of you, now!”  Sally huffs and I roll my eyes, pulling my arm out of his hand.  

“Um, who said you were my keeper?”  Before he can argue, Sally pulls his face to her and kisses him quickly.  She then goes to whisper something in his ear and he visibly gulps and starts turning red.  Gross, but effective.  He clears his throat. “Fine, but both of you are not leaving my sight.”  

“Whatever dad- don’t worry! We’re all going to have fun!”  

________________________________________

           The party is in full swing.  The music is blaring and bodies are constantly pouring in through the doors.  Jessie and Cole have been glued to each other all night, as well as Dustin and Sally.  I swear every time someone even looks in Sally’s direction Dustin has a fit, but she kisses him and he turns to mush. 

Anna and I are in the kitchen entertaining as the drink servers, along with Brian and his girlfriend.  I’ve only had a couple of drinks, but nothing to extensive.  Anna and I are toasting with some vodka shots when large arms surround my abdomen and a face lands on top of my shoulder. 

“Now beautiful, I know you’re just dying to dance with me tonight,” Mark says, pressing cheek to cheek.

I giggle because I love his flirtatious behavior.  He knows that I would never break for my firsts, but he tries so damn hard.  Stepping out of his embrace I turn around and give him a hug.  “I will be honored to dance with you,” I say, stepping back. 

His eyes bulge out as he gets a better look at me.  And not to toot my own horn, but I’d say I got his approval on the sexy factor. 

“Damn girl, you in heat or what?  I cannot leave you unescorted for the evening looking like that.”  I chuckle and he looks over my shoulder “Anna, you look scrumptious as well.  I see all the ladies want to see which wolf wags their tail the fastest huh?” 

Anna walks up to him with a sultry shake of her hips and walks her fingers up his arm.  “Nah, we want to see who has the fluffiest.  It’s all about the girth.”

Mark and I bust out laughing.  We all take a couple more shots and then I grab another beer.

“I’m going to find a dance partner!  Let’s hit it guys,” Anna yells as she walks away. 

Mark automatically grabs my hand and we head out.  We start dancing to the fast pace music- mainly jumping around, then the music turns more into a trance where bodies start grinding close- slow and sensual.  Mark grabs my waist and presses my front closer to him as my head falls to his shoulder.  We are swaying side to side along with the music.

“If I didn’t know any better Brighton, I’d say your falling for me,” Marks whispers huskily in my ear.  I lift my head up and stare at him.  He really is gorgeous, man bun and all.  “I just want to have fun tonight and let loose- no hanky panky mister.”  We continue to dance and I forget any worries.  My hands travel up and down his arms and up around his neck, massaging the base of his scalp.

Mark lets out a low groan. “Harrison will kill me if he saw this right now,” he says with an all knowing smirk.  I turn around and press my back to his front, taking a sip of beer “Harrison wouldn’t care Mark, just like I don’t care he’s with his floozies.”  He pulls me closer, and tosses my hair to one side and whispers “So I can be your floozie tonight?”  My eyes are closed, swaying to the music and I begin chuckling.  “You’re incorrigible Mark- shame on you”. 

“What can I say, you bring out the wolf in me.”  All of the sudden the music stops, and all heads turn to the source.

“Alright everyone, time to liven things up!”  Harris bellows.  There are a lot of shouts of agreement, and he continues.  “Since there seem to be a lot of pairings tonight, lets decide on which couple has the best kiss!”  Several people ‘woop’ while others start laughing.  “Oh and I’ll make it fair—I’ll only kiss one girl tonight,” the future alpha ass says, earning groans from half the room.

I’ve never been to a real party, so I don’t know the party games that people have, but most of the group begins to cheer in excitement to start.  I give my best fake smile for my happy peers surrounding me. 

“We’ll start off with our future beta- Mark, and his partner Brighton!” 

Everyone claps and cheers as my face falls.  I’m sure I am giving off deer in headlight vibes.  Why would Harris even suggest that?  Pretty much everyone here knows I won’t do it.  Mark clears his throat and yells to Harrison across the room, “Dude what gives?” 

Harrison jumps off the couch and walks closer to us.  “It’s not a big deal guys, just a little competition.” He fist bumps Marks shoulder and laughs, “Its’ not like you haven’t stolen any first kisses before Mark.”

I shake my head in disbelief.  “Harrison stop this,” I say in a low tone.

Someone starts the music back up and some of the spectators begin dancing again, but all the ones surrounding us are still waiting for the game. 

“Stop what Brighton?  It’s not a big deal.  You need to get over your little virgin routine, especially dressed like that, teasing everyone like you want it, when you know you’ll never go through with anything.”  It felt as if he slapped me.  He doesn’t even flinch when he says that either.    

“Cut the s**t man, that’s not cool,” Mark says, taking a step closer to Harrison.  I feel all eyes around me.  Is that what I was doing with Mark?  Being a tease?  I just wanted to have a night of fun like everyone else.  I did nothing wrong. 

“What’s wrong with you Harris?  I thought we were friends- why are you saying this to me, in front of everyone?!?” I demand calmly, even though my insides are shaking from head to toe, desperately trying not to cry.

“Well friend, I’m just saying how it is.  You’re trying too hard to fit in.  You can’t take my mom’s money and prance around acting like you belong with everyone, when in reality, you’re nowhere near this level.  Stop trying to—"  POUND.  Dustin punched Harrison, hard. 

I’m not focused on anything around me.  While Harrison was belittling me in front of our friends, I knew tears were pooling at the corners of my eyes.  While they begin arguing, I take small steps back into the crowd.  No one notices me and I can’t seem to gather a voice.  I can’t believe he said those things.  It wasn’t true, was it? 

I step outside onto the porch, and take off my heels.  I’ll get the rest of my clothes some other time. I can’t go back in that house.  I start walking to the road, and it starts to lightly rain.  Of course, it starts to rain.  Why wouldn’t it?  At least I have something to mask the tears that start pouring down my cheek. 

--Harrison POV--

”Well friend, I’m just saying how it is.  You’re trying too hard.  You can’t take my mom’s money and prance around acting like you belong with everyone, when in reality, you’re nowhere near this level.  Stop trying to-“   Even before I saw Dustin’s fist fly to my jaw, I knew I deserved it.  While talking, I saw how much I hurt her.  I made her cry.

When I stand back up, Dustin has both of his fists clenched, ready to come at me again.  I look to Brighton and she’s just standing there.  No expression on her face, pale as a ghost, not willing her tears to fall.  I start to take a step forward but Dustin pushes me back.  “WHAT THE f**k IS WRONG WITH YOU!” 

I massage my jaw, working out the kink he just put into it, and I glare at him.  “Get out of the way Dustin.”

“No- what you did was messed up- I don’t give a s**t who you are, but you do NOT talk to her like that!” He stands there seething at me.  Sally is next to him looking concerned, and the faces surrounding us are ones of disappointment and anger.

When I go to take another step, Mark puts a hand on my shoulder and halts me.  That bastard is stronger than he looks. “You need to chill like now dude.”   Everyone is too focused on me, they don’t realize that she’s left the house already. 

Since I know they won’t let me go in that direction where they think she is, I shrug out of Marks hold and turn around towards the stairs.  When I get to the second story, I open a window to the back part of the house.  It’s lightly raining outside and I just know she’s out there, being as stubborn as she is.  Without thinking twice, I jump to the ground.  I try to sniff her out but the rain is not helping.  I run down the driveway and see the road up ahead.  When I reach it, I look left and nothing.  When I look right, I see her walking with no shoes on.

“BRIGHTON!”

She doesn’t turn around.  I run towards her and I tug on her elbow for her to turn around.  “Brighton hold on…”   With impressive strength, she yanks out of my hold and continues to walk.  I jump in front of her but she tries to dodge me, but I keep intercepting her path.

“WILL YOU JUST STOP!” I yell, holding her with my hands on her shoulders.    I look at her face but she’s not looking at me, just staring into the distance over my shoulder.  The rain has already drenched her head to toe, but nothing can mask the tears that she’s crying.  I put those tears in her eyes.  I put my head down, ashamed for what I did.  All because I was stupid and jealous.

“Brigh… I-“ 

“no”. 

I snap my head back up and she’s still not looking at me “Brigh, just list-“

“I said no.  I don’t want to listen Harrison.”  Her voice comes out calm and soft, but I know it’s anything but.  “You were right.  I should have never taken your mom’s money.  I should have never danced with Mark like that.”

“Listen, that’s not what I was trying to say.  I’m so sor-“ 

“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry!” She screams at me.  Her tears are pouring out of her red eyes as she vents her anger.  “I trusted you and you didn’t care about any of it! What you did tonight hurt Harris.  It hurt so god damn bad and you had to do it in front of everyone!” 

The hollow pit in my chest keeps growing with each word she says. She goes back to her calm voice and it slices me like a knife to the chest.  “I don’t want to see you.  I don’t want to talk to you.  I am begging you right now to leave me alone.  Please.  I deserve at least that much dignity for tonight.”

She walks around me and I let her go.  There was nothing more to say.  I hurt this girl and it was all my fault.