They pulled up to the huge house and AJ unfastened his seat belt. He leaned over and kissed his mom's cheek.

"Bye, Mom," he said as he opened the car door.

"Bye, Alex, dear. Have a good time. Are you sure you have a ride home?"

"Yes, Mom. Dylan said he would drive me home when it's over or I could spend the night, okay? I'll call you if I'm going to spend the night or if I need a ride."

"Alright...I love you, honey."

"Love you, too."

He closed the door and made his way to the front porch. He picked up his hand to knock, then stopped. He paused for a moment, then opened the door himself. AJ was still early and he did not want to take Dylan away from whatever task he was working on at the time.

"Hey, man, what's going on?" Dylan greeted him as he approached the opening door.

"Hey, what's up? Am I the first?"

"Yeah, as always."

"Cool. What do you want me to do?"

"Help me carry thses coolers out back."

"I will as long as you can tell me they're not filled with Coke."

"Take a peek."

AJ gingerly lifted the lid off the one closest to him and peered inside. He gasped, then exclaimed, "Dylan! Dawg, you hit the jackpot this time!"

"I know! Dude, have you ever seen so much beer at once? And that one over there is filled with wine coolers. I've got some vodka in the house, too."

"I never thought I'd say this and I never really wanted to, but Dylan, I love you!"

"Alex, man, what's gotten into you? Usually you don't want to drink at all."

They both picked up the coolers again and continued to carry them outside.

"It's really weird. I just have a lot of strange problems and stuff going on right now. Let me tell you, life's complicated, but I guess I'm just letting everything stress me out. I can't think of anything better right now to help me than a good game of Flip Cup to get me away from all that."

Dylan was quiet for a few seconds then suddenly stopped as he realized what AJ was saying.

He quietly and forcefully said, "Alex. I will be watching you like a hawk tonight. Drinking's fun and everything but if you're drinking to get rid of your problems then that's just dangerous. You don't know your limit and you're not really into this stuff. Do you know how bad I would feel if something happened to you?"

"Relax, man, I'll be cool."

They picked up the coolers again and made it all the way outside and put them in their spot. They began walking back into the house when Dylan broke the silence, "Look, people will be getting here soon so I know you'll start drinking. I want you to come eat something. It will help to protect yourself. You'll be able to drink more and stay safe...an it'll make me feel better."

"Thanks, I will. I'm glad you're looking out for me. Sometimes it seems like we could be brothers or something."

"Um...yeah," Dylan replied somewhat reluctantly. "Don't get all sappy on me now."

Just as they headed towards the kitchen for food, the doorbell rang.