All Chapters of Party Animals: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

**Zoe**My eyes popped open, and I couldn't help my energetic mood. I went on an amazing first date with my man last night that ended with me getting my back broken and sampling delectable desserts until I was stuffed like the greedy little piggy that I was. I grabbed my phone and winced at the time. I knew it was still early from the lack of light filtering through the curtains, but I wasn't expecting it to barely be 6:00 in the morning. Today was the first float of the season, and I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.I texted Michael and told him to be at my house at 10:00 with sunscreen, booze, water shoes, and swim trunks. I thought about everything I had to do before we left town and calculated how many hours I had to achieve my tasks. I wanted to make breakfast that morning, but time was of the essence. I set Elijah's alarm and texted him the same message his brother received minus the booze. We still had two untouched bottles of wine that were chilling in the fridge, and I'd

**Michael**I knew that coming on this little outing was a bad idea; however, Zoe invited me, and it’s an opportunity to spend more time with her.I gulped when she took her shirt off, revealing her bathing suit for the first time. I wondered what she wore underneath her baggy white t-shirt and shorts–she didn’t disappoint. The mesh cutouts left something to the imagination and drove me wild. I knew that I was staring and couldn't tear my eyes away. I was grateful she didn't catch me leering at her, but if I wasn't careful, I would fuck around and eventually get caught.I shouldn't be lusting after my younger brother's girlfriend. I'll admit that I'm wrong, but I was hooked as soon as I barged into Elijah’s office and caught him fucking her. That scene burned into my memory; there was no way I would forget that for as long as I lived.I never imagined Elijah and Zoe becoming an item. I honestly thought that she would fuck around with him for a while, break his heart, and then move on.

**Elijah****Earlier**I drove down the highway and grimaced at the sight of Zoe chugging her third beer. Moments ago, she had polished off a handful of Jell-O shots, and I was fearful that she would blackout before we made it to the river. I tried to tell her to take it easy, but I was quickly reminded to mind my business and that she was “built for this.”I was grateful I had come. There was no telling what condition Zoe might’ve been in by the end of the day."Mama?""What's up?" she asked, barely paying me any attention as she rapped to the lyrics on the radio. "I might be wrong, but did you eat anything today?""Negative.""You can't be drinking like that on an empty stomach. You should've eaten something when we stopped this morning.""I was not in the mood for drive-thru breakfast, and maybe if I didn't have to babysit you in the store, then I would've had time to fix myself something to eat. Don't worry, though; we have snacks to eat on the river. Just relax, Eli. This isn't m

**Elijah**"No thanks. I'm good," I found myself saying for the fiftieth time as the boxed wine that was now a bag of wine was offered to me. I was sticking with my beer and had no desire to "slap the bag." I looked over at Michael, who hadn't as much as uttered a word since we started.He’s probably still sore from how I spoke to him earlier, but I'm not sorry. He was getting on my nerves.For all that shit he was talking about earlier about Zoe and her drinking, he had surpassed her, and I wondered if he would be able to make it to work in the morning.Zoe and her friends chatted excitedly about their trip to South Padre Island; deep down, I dreaded it. For one, I would miss Zoe like crazy, and for two, I was concerned about her safety. I didn’t want her to get into a situation where she was injured or some asshole attempted to take advantage of her.I lay back, closed my eyes, and tried to distract myself with the sun's warm rays. Spring had just begun, but it already felt like ear

**Elijah**I arrived at Zoe’s house an hour later, and Michael didn’t hesitate to jump out of the Jeep as soon as it shifted into park. I didn’t blame him. Awkward couldn’t describe how the remainder of the ride home went after our “talk.”My aggressiveness threw Michael off because, usually, when it came to our disagreements, I always took the passive approach; however, I couldn’t afford to be passive about the woman I could see as my future wife. Michael got off easy. He should be glad I was still riding the high from our date last night or I might have drowned him in the river.I was snapped out of my murderous thoughts by the sound of Zoe throwing up in the backseat. I prayed she found the plastic bag I left for her. I was almost afraid of turning around.“You all right back there, Mama?” I asked once she quieted. I took a peek at the rear-view mirror to see her open her mouth to respond when she threw up again. I patted myself on the back for thinking ahead and supplying the bag.