Chapter 28

It looked like Austin’s part in euthanizing the injured horse had been—what was the best word?—off-putting for Keri. She and Grace had boarded the bus back to the resort without saying a word to him, so he and Red rode home. It looked like things were over with Keri before they even began.

When he arrived home, he found Ruby watching something on streaming video.

“Where is everyone?” Austin asked.

“Your mom and dad left early to go horse hunting. My mom and sister decided to play tourists and go to the Smithsonian Museums. I didn’t feel like walking a hundred miles, so I stayed home,” Ruby said. “I’m bored. What’s there to do in this little town?” Ruby asked.

“We could go to Emma’s and see if they’re up for a little afternoon party,” Austin suggested.

“Is that where your sex club is?”

Austin shrugged.

“There might be some of that, but I was thinking of taking a couple of cases of beer and getting drunk. Keri dumped me,” Austin said.

“Why?” Ruby asked.

“Let’s wait until we get there. I’d rather not have to explain myself multiple times,” Austin said.

“Where are you getting cases of beer?” Ruby asked.

“I’ll show you. But today, you have to be the designated driver since I plan to have a few.”

Austin took her down to the pantry, where several cases of bottled beer were stacked in a refrigerator against the back wall.

“My grandmother owns a microbrewery. The blond ale is pretty good. It has citrusy undertones that remind you of lemonade. We’ll also take a case of the rye ale since that’s Liam and Oliver’s favorite.”

Austin grabbed the two cases and took them to the truck. Max wanted to come, so Austin let the pup join them.

Ruby knew everyone from Austin’s party. They were happy to see him but confused because Emma had told them he planned to spend the day with the actor. Austin explained the accident and his role in putting down a horse, which unnerved Keri.

Liam and Oliver good-naturedly gave him a hard time about losing a girlfriend in less than 24 hours. Austin responded by opening a beer and downing half of it.

From there, the party was on. Emma made a pitcher of what she called the Greyhound, a drink made with grapefruit and vodka.

More people showed up, including Lawrence, Peter, Simone, Shea, Steph, and Mia, plus three girls from upstairs Ruby hadn’t met yet: Liz, Hailey, and Madison.

Everything stayed casual for the first forty minutes. Ruby enjoyed hanging out with other teens and sneaking a mixed drink when Austin wasn’t watching her like a hawk. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Liam unzipped his pants and pulled out his dick. Ruby watched as Steph and Madison dropped to their knees and gave him a dual blowjob.

It amazed her that everyone acted like that was nothing out of the ordinary.

At that moment, Ruby was talking to Shea and Simone. Shea shook her head and said, “I never thought something like that would be out in the open like it is with this group. It can be a lot to take in at first.”

“Where’s Austin?” Simone asked.

“I don’t know. Should we find him?” Ruby asked.

“I think he and Emma went back to her room,” Madison said, apparently eavesdropping.

Simone suddenly looked determined and headed to Emma’s room, with Ruby, Shea, and Madison following. Simone didn’t knock but opened the door to find Emma and Austin talking on her bed.

“What’s up?” Austin asked.

“Liam’s getting head, and I...” Simone trailed off.

“You thought Emma and I had started something,” Austin said with a knowing look.

Ruby hadn’t realized that dark-skinned people could blush, but Simone obviously did.

Austin stood up, put his hand on the side of Simone’s face, leaned in, and gave her a light kiss.