Part 12

                                    

                                          
Typical Gilinsky move I thought as he walked over to the beer pong table with Madison. I had never met her, but I heard a whole lot of stories, most of them not good. "Hi! I'm Lily, it's nice to meet you." I said with a smile. She waved back and gave me a little smile "I'm Madison. Thanks for inviting me." she said dully. I may have been a little tipsy, but I did not recall inviting her. I gave Jack a look, to which he shrugged his shoulders slightly. He spoke up "Uh yeah, thanks Lily. Madison was in the area doing a show, she doesn't really know anyone else around here." Jack explained. I honestly didn't care, I turned my back and continued playing beer pong with Nate.
                          
I heard Madison call next game with Jack as her partner. I sighed, so far my master plan was failing miserably. Emily was still hanging out with the parents. I had no clue as to why he invited her to my house, without even telling me. It was a dick move. I heard stories how Madison moved from guy to guy in Jacks friend group. I figured Jack was her next target, but if she was bad news he would learn the hard way. 
                          
I refocused my attention to the game that Nate and I were winning. We made a really good beer pong team I thought as Nate handed me the ball. As I was about to throw, my parents made the announcement that the food was ready. When I finally made my plate, I followed Nate back to our original seats. At our table was Sammy, Emily and Johnson. Jack, Madison, Mike and Laine sat at a table on the other side of the backyard. 
                          
While eating dinner we reminisced about old times, retelling old jokes. It felt like old times again, I loved it. Throughout dinner, I noticed Emily still looked upset, I made a mental note to talk to her later. Suddenly, I felt Nate's hand graze my upper thigh, which caused me to shoot him a look. He smirked back at me, knowing what effect something as simple as his touch could do. After we finished eating, it was my task to clean up. I purposely had Emily come inside with me so we could talk. 
                          
Once in the privacy of the kitchen I turned and looked at her "So, spill it. You like Jack, you always have, you thought you could try and make something work this summer, things were off to a good start and then Madison showed up." I blurted out. 
                          
Emily's eyes widened as she nodded her head. "You know me so well, I mean I do like him, but I just don't see it happening. I don't think he ever liked me or ever will. He's still into you Lily, he's jealous of Nate and invited Madison as a distraction. That's all she is a distraction and all I am is a friend." she trailed off, her eyes showing how sad she truly was. 
                          
I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a tight hug. "I'm sorry Em, I really am. Honestly, you're so much better than this. You could have a line of guys waiting for you in an instant, you've just been looking in the wrong places." I said in her ear and then we broke apart. 
                          
"Thanks Lily, you're a great friend you know that. And I understand if you and Jack do end up together one day." Emily said smiling. 
                          
"What, who said anything about me and Jack?" I asked confused.
                          
"Lily, it's a matter of time before the two of you get together for real. We all know that. You two are a perfect match." Emily said. 
                          
"You're kidding me. I mean yeah a few years ago I could see that, but now that's like me trying to picture myself living on the moon. It's not happening, I'm with Nate and I'm perfectly happy." I said washing some dishes.
                          
"Whatever you say Lily Pad." Emily said as she began helping me. I rolled my eyes "I hate that nickname and you know it!" I laughed. "Come on let's be serious and finish these dishes so we can go back outside." Emily said.
                          
~~~
                          
A few hours later the sun had set, the party was still going strong. Our parents were all conversing, sharing stories and laughing a little too loudly. As for us we all decided to play slap cup, which was probably the best drinking game to play with a large group. I began setting up and running to the coolers to get the beer, Nate was the only one helping me as usual. As we set up, he took me aside and moved my hair our of my face tucking it behind my ear. His fingers traced down my cheek, "I can't get over how gorgeous you are and that you're mine. I want to show you that later." Nate said in a whisper so only I could hear.