He didn’t have a problem with her staying by his side the whole night, but he knew Sarah. She wasn’t having it. Giving him his space for some inane reason had always been important to her.

Alex showed up late but Angel appreciated it. He knew this kind of party didn’t even compare to the parties he was attending now that he was in college. But, yet, here he was looking happier than ever to see him.

“Happy birthday, little man.” Alex shook his hand then pulled him in for a bear hug.

Angel groaned when Alex purposely squeezed him hard. Only Alex could make him feel small.

He cut him loose and looked around. “Damn, this place is packed.” Alex looked pleased.

There was too much alcohol floating around. That was never good. He’d already noticed some of the employee’s stern expressions. There was only one security guard. An older guy in his fifties, and he had had a hard enough time breaking up a verbal altercation earlier, between two girls. Of course, it didn’t help that there were a bunch of idiots around yelling Fight! Fight! Fight!

Angel had kept his eye on Sarah most of the night, but when Alex got there he lost her in the crowd.

Romero walked by and Angel tugged his shirt. “You seen the girls?”

It was obvious Romero was already lit. “Yeah, I’ve seen lots of girls.”

“I mean Sofi, and Sarah, stupid.”

Romero struggled to lift his eyebrows. Angel could tell he’d be no help. “Not sure about Sarah, but Sofi’s with Eric.”

“Where’s Eric?”

“I don’t know.”

Angel frowned. Why the hell did he bother? Just as he gathered his thoughts there was a commotion behind him. He turned around and fists flew. He backed up and before he knew it there were cups and food flying through the air.

Everyone scrambled, girls screamed and more got involved in the fight. Angel searched franticly for Sarah and Sofia. He felt a hand on his shoulder and jerked it off defensively, but it was Alex.

“Where’s Sofia?” His concerned expression matched what Angel was feeling.

“I don’t know.” Angel was pissed he’d let the girls out of his sight. It was chaos. People were getting shoved around. Angel and Alex pushed their way through the crowd.

“There’s Sarah,” Alex pointed.

Angel saw her and rushed to her. She was with Valerie but Sofia was no where around. Sarah’s alarmed expression eased up the moment she saw him. He took her hand as soon as he reached her. “Where’s Sofi?”

She shook her head. “I dunno, we got split up when everyone started pushing.”

“Keep moving people!” The security guard and a couple of the bowling alley employees were making everyone exit.

They had no choice but to go outside. They all stood in the parking lot anxious, watching the flood of kids continue to pour out of the exit.

What the hell was he thinking bringing Sofia tonight? Angel felt Sarah squeeze his hand. He spotted Eric in the crowd coming out the doorway but no Sofia. He noticed Eric held his arm out behind him and as the crowd thinned out he saw Sofia was on the other end of his arm holding his hand. Angel exhaled, as blissful relief set in.

“There they are!” Sarah lifted her hand in the air to get their attention.

Eric saw them and walked through the crowd toward them, never once letting go of Sofia’s hand. When Eric reached them he clapped Angel on the shoulder with his free hand and a fat grin, “Dude! Is this a birthday or what?”

Angel shook his head and they made their way back to the car. Alex and Valerie were already there. “Where to now?” Alex asked.

The group party was over as far as Angel was concerned. He had his own plans. This was, after all, his birthday. “I’ve had enough action for one night,” Angel lied. “I’m gonna take these guys home.”

“What?” There was a note of disappointment in Eric’s tone.

“It’s not even eleven,” Sofia added.

Angel pulled Sarah closer to him by the waist and she leaned her head against him. “Yeah, Sarah’s tired.”

“Sarah’s head jerked up and she punched him playfully on his side. “Don’t put this one on me!”

Angel tried but couldn’t hide a smile, “Sarah, babe, you’re supposed to play along.”

Alex pulled the keys out of his pocket. “Here.” He tossed them at Eric. “Take Sofi and stupid over there, home. Valerie’s got something to show me.

He flashed a wicked smile and Valerie elbowed him. “Don’t make it sound like that.”

Romero walked up to the crowd “Hey! Where’s the party?”

“You better not throw up in my car.” Alex warned and walked away with Valerie.

Romero’s looked confused. “Your car? I’m going with Angel. Right?”

He turned to Angel.

“You’re over there.” Angel pointed to Eric and Sofia who had started walking away. They were walking toward a still rowdy crowd in the parking lot. “Be careful, Sof.”

Eric took Sofia’s hand again and showed Angel. “Don’t worry. I got this!”

“You okay with that?” Romero said, pointing at Eric.

“Don’t be stupid.” Angel frowned. “Go catch up before he leaves your ass.”

If it were anyone else, Angel would’ve felt weird about it. But he knew Eric had Sofi’s back as usual.

Romero took off after them. “Hey, wait up. Hold my hand too, Eric!”