Read The Album: Book One for Free Online Page A

someone to the bathroom. That’s an invitation to snort coke. Now, shall we get us some Canadian beaver?”
    Outside the suburban house, a group of guys linger by the front door. I slow my gait, taking my time to accurately assess their purpose. The largest of the guys is wearing a polo shirt and khaki shorts. He’s not drinking and judging by his nervous body language – this is his house.
    I pull Jeff and Tango back with me and stop at the curb. “T, do you have a name of anyone here?”
    “My cousin’s name is Margie, she should be here. Oh wait, no, she’s in Florida.”
    “Goddamn it Tango! Okay, let me do the talking.”
    “Of course. Smooth-talking Adam, saves the day,” he quips.
    We walk casually toward the door and the guys immediately cross their arms to stare us down. I stare back, evaluating each member of the bouncer committee. They’re just dudes like us, trying to have a good time while keeping things under control. What would I want if three guys I didn’t know came to my house party?
    I would want them to be harmless and helpful.
    “Hey, my friend’s cousin invited us. And dude, thanks, because in our crappy town of Stouffville, we can’t do shit,” I smirk.
    “Oh yeah, why’s that?” The red-head to the left asks.
    “Ah man, it sucks! My dad is the police chief and his dad is an attorney,” I nod back to Jeff, “and my other friend’s mom is the mayor.” I hear Tango snicker behind me so I move in front of him. “Great people to have on your side, but a shitty way to grow up, am I right?”
    I lock eyes with the owner of the house, causing a brief pause of uncertainty, but then he smirks and elbows the guy next to him.
    “Shit! You fellas need to live a little. Come on in.” The guy opens the door and leads us in, announcing in sonic boom-range of our arrival. “Look what we found! Some virgins – get these guys some drinks.” He turns back around and faces me. “I’m Dylan – don’t fuck my girl and don’t fuck with my mom’s dishes. Are we cool?”
    “We’re cool,” I reply firmly.
    “All right then, put your car keys in the bowl and get out of my face.” He turns back around to a group of girls dancing in the foyer. “Ladies, be careful with these three! They’re farm boys,” Dylan laughs.
    At least I got us in.
    And I better find out who the girlfriend is or Tango will naturally flock to her. I scan the room and study the party guests – it’s a typical house party with the movie-style cliques and shenanigans, but my process of surveying the scene is entirely necessary and always accurate.
    Jeff bumps past me and staggers toward the kitchen, in search of the liquor, but everyone knows the good stuff is always in the backyard. I hold Tango back, hoping to remind him of the boundaries.
    All right, here I go . . .
    Observations:
    The group of girls dancing in the foyer: wine coolers, similar hairstyles and clothing, and they practically drooled over Dylan. Incoming senior girls – single and willing to please.
    Two girls sitting on the couch with a photo album: not into the party scene. Not socializing with other people. They’re sitting comfortably on the sofa like they’ve been here before – possible girlfriends of Dylan’s thugs. I’ll come back to them.
    Three girls coming out of the kitchen with a bottle of wine: their speech is slurred and they’re stumbling through the crowd with wine glasses. The lushes. Perfect.
    “Tango, check out those girls.” I nudge him in his side and discreetly point to the three girls with the booze. “Don’t be a dick and have some fun.”
    “Ah yeah, you know it – my dick will be havin’ some fun.” Tango does his stupid white boy bounce and slides his hat backwards. One of these days he’s going to get his ass kicked, and I kinda hope I’m there to watch.
    He talks a big game and he flirts with every girl he meets, but I know that he is 100% faithful to his girlfriend. And I know this because she’s