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“Is that your subtle way of saying I should go out somewhere?” I tease

“It’sif you don’t, you’ll wish you had” she grins, poking out her tongue

I take Stace’s advice and go out with the guys It’s just another party with loads of girls and free alcohol Asof the sa new Soardless, I spend a good part of an hour downing drink after drink

“’Sup with you?” Max asks, slu outside on the deck of a huge house owned by a guy who is the friend of a friend of a friend of Max’s cousin

“Just not really in theand finish the rest ofthe can beside me

Max laughs, his expression one of disbelief “Dude, you’re fucking kiddingaround “There is so ht I’ve already od”

“Yeah, well I etting to h

“You’re leaving already?” Max asks, his eyes ith disbelief “You need to unwind, Sax Here” He pushes his drink into my hands

I laugh and hand it back to hih to drink to know I’ht” I shove“No drama, I’m sure I’ll be back on form tomorrow I’ll see you later, okay?”

The walk holad I’ve had the time to sober up a little when I see Dad’s car in the driveway The light shining through the living roo around and walking the streets until he goes to bed, but I decide to just get it over with The argument is imminent—whether it happens now, to I avoid hi a deep breath, I stomp up to the front door and let myself in

I follow the faint sound of the television into the living room Dad looks up from where he’s seated on the sofa A hint of annoyance settles on his face when he realizes it’s me

“You’re ho his attention back to the TV

I haven’t seen hih and shake my head “Nice to see you too, Dad”

“What do you want frohs “I told you before you left on your silly little road trip that this was the last time I refuse to stand back and watch you fuck up your life”

“So that’s it?” I laugh “You just cut me out? Pretend I’s your way?”