Party Games

Party Games by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online

Book: Party Games by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online
Authors: R. L. Stine
trying to figure out why I was invited and just enjoy the party, but that would have been so much easier if my best friend was with me …
    Eric suddenly jumped to his feet. “Hey,” he shouted, “does the orgy start on the boat, or do we have to keep our clothes on till we get to Brendan’s house?”
    That got some laughs and hoots. Someone tossed an empty Coke can at Eric. It bounced off his shoulder and rolled across the deck.
    The boat engine started up with a low roar.
    Randy appeared and waved his admiral’s cap above his head for attention. “Okay, everyone,” he called, “sit down, please. We’re moving now. The lake is a little choppy today, so—”
    Patti and I interrupted him with a shout. We saw Kerry Reacher running full speed toward the boat, his backpack flying behind him. “Wait for Kerry!” Patti cried.
    Kerry did a wild leap off the dock, his long legs scissoring the air. He landed on the deck, waving his arms above his head to get his balance. A perfect landing.
    Everyone cheered.
    â€œSlam dunk,” Kerry said, pushing his hands up as if shooting a basket.
    More cheers.
    Randy pulled off his cap and scratched his brown hair. “Okay. Guess everyone is here. Let’s shove off. If you need me, I’ll be up there.” He pointed to the wheel at the top cabin.
    Kerry squeezed between me and Patti. That put me practically in Eric’s lap. “Rachel, I knew it,” Eric said. “You can’t keep your hands off me.” He rubbed his hand up and down the sleeve of my jacket.
    I gave him a shove. “Aren’t you seasick yet? Why don’t you go lean over the rail? Lean real far over.”
    â€œRachel, don’t try to hide your true feelings.”
    We both laughed. Eric wasn’t as funny as he thought he was, but he was still pretty funny.
    The engine roared again. The boat rocked hard, then started to move. Eric turned to talk to April, who sat on his other side. “Did you bring your cello?”
    She laughed. “What do you think?”
    â€œDo you remember Brendan’s tenth birthday?” Kerry asked. “It was awesome. His parents turned their whole backyard into an amusement park. Brendan Land. Really. They had a real roller coaster.”
    Eric grinned. “I was there. They had Dodge Em cars, too. Were you at his beach party two years ago? They had fireworks, and we went swimming in the lake at midnight.”
    April nodded. “It was so beautiful. They had those floats with lanterns all lit up across the water.”
    Eric grinned at her. “I remember you and Danny Goldman went off down the beach together, and no one could find you, and we thought we’d have to call the Coast Guard or something.”
    April blushed bright red. “Shut up, Eric.”
    Everyone laughed.
    I felt a sudden chill.
    The lake air was cool. But it wasn’t that kind of chill. My whole body shivered.
    Sometimes I have these feelings. Premonitions, I guess. Nothing special. I think everyone has them. You know like how sometimes you just know that someone is watching you. And then it turns out to be true.
    Seagulls squawked and darted overhead, as if leading the way to the island. Their cries rose over the hum of the boat engine.
    â€œHey, Rachel.” April leaned over Eric to talk to me. “What’s up with you and Mac?”
    â€œWe broke up,” I said. “Actually, I broke up with him. Why?”
    â€œWell, I just saw him. I thought maybe he was coming to the party with you.”
    â€œYou what ?” I jumped to my feet. “You saw him?”
    I turned toward the shore. The boat was moving steadily away. But I squinted over the green glare off the water and saw someone. Someone half-hidden behind the telephone pole at the road. He stood with one arm around the pole, watching the boat, watching me.
    Mac. I recognized him even at this distance.
    Mac watching

Similar Books

Nightfall (Book 1)

L. R. Flint

License to Thrill

Lori Wilde

Crappy Christmas

Rebecca Hillary

Beckoners

Carrie Mac