Blood Ties by Victoria Rice Page A

threw them on the table. They left without a backwards glance.
    “Wow … a whirlwind romance,” said Dylan. “That’s gotta be a record.”
    I shrugged. “Yeah, I work fast.”
    “So, now that you’re free, are you looking for another boyfriend?”
    “I need at least one night with a gallon of ice cream and a bag of cookies, weeping and lamenting the loss of the father of my child.” It was an amazing act of dexterity that my words didn’t sound like inebriated mush.
    “Yeah, well, when you’ve recovered, give me a call.”
    “You volunteering?” I smirked.
    He leaned towards me as if he was going to kiss me and I slid out of my seat. Yeah, keep dreamin’.
    I went to the door and pushed it open to look outside. The rain had stopped. Thank God.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    “Shhh … remember, stealth and silence,” I hissed, carefully enunciating each word since my lips had gone into numb mode. We snuck around the side of the Delta Sigs fraternity, our feet squishing in the wet grass. Jeff, our kidnapped safe driver, and Dylan kept watch at the front of the house, hidden in some bushes.
    I ’d had the brilliant idea we should raid a fraternity house. According to campus lore, it was a big tradition between the houses to steal composites, class portraits of their members, and hold them for a hefty “college-style” ransom. I hadn’t seen it in action, maybe it was too early in the year, maybe it was just lore. In either case, my fingers had been itching for a theft.
    We checked all the main windows at the back of the house. They were locked up tight except a small one that looked down into the basement. My words slurred, “I’m gonna go in. Any arguments?” Jen shook her head. She was petite but her hips were wider than mine. “Okay then. I’ll get in, sneak upstairs and let …,” I waved my arms around in a drunken circle, “… everybody in through the back door.”
    She grabbed my arm. “What if you get stuck?” I bent forward and spread my hands out to measure the window then pulled back and almost toppled over. Parker took air measurements brushing against my thighs. Jen smacked him when he touched my butt.
    “It’s going to be a tight fit Liz,” warned Parker.
    I wobbled on my feet. “Well, hell, if I get stuck, somebody go get some Crisco.”
    Jen nodded furiously. “Like a greased pig. I saw it at a county fair once.”
    “Exactement, mes amis.”
    I gave them a salute and began to inch my way in. I’d just pulled my shoulders past the window frame when I realized, quite stupidly, I should have gone in feet first. It was dark. I caught the faint smell of weed. I knew why the window was unlocked.
    “Liz, you okay?”
    “Yeah … thinking. Try in’ to figure out how to land without breakin’ my neck.” I searched around with my hands. There was nothing I could grab on to.
    “Okay , lower me slooowly and for God’s sake, don’t drop me. I’ll let you know when I hit floor.” I pushed myself through, several hands holding my legs and ankles. I heard a slew of loud oaths as Parker partially pushed his shoulders through the window.
    “Fu ck. I can’t hold on much longer.”
    “One more inch, I think I’ve got it.” I stretched and my fingertips finally felt floor. “Okay, okay, slow as you go.” I felt hands slide down my ankles. I balanced myself against the wall, first with my fingertips, then with the palms of my hands. I slid down the wall and a few seconds later, I was free. It was just like me to do this the hard way. I was smashed out of my mind and the odds were only 50/50 I could do a handstand. A shot of pizza and beer bile trickled out of my throat.
    I concentrated. Injury was not an option. I focused on the image of perfect balance and the movements I would make. I walked my hands out away from the wall, keeping my legs against it. My eyes adjusted and boxes slowly emerged from the darkness. When my hands were about three feet out from the wall I arched my back and