When Blondie sat on the guy's lap next to Aaron, Leigh must have sensed that Aaron was next, because she went over to the blonde girl and took her by the arm, helping her to her feet.
"Come on, Danielle, leave Rob alone."
The blonde named Danielle gave a giggle. "Don't spoil my fun, my boyfriend isn't here tonight Leigh, he can't keep me from doing all these bad things." Then, suddenly somber, the girl sighed and said, "Why do I do all these bad things when he's not around, Leigh?"
"Because you're using him and you really don't give a shit about him," Leigh stated.
"Oh," the blonde said, seeming to accept that as she nodded.
"Oh, honey, you're already drunk. You really shouldn't have started drinking until I got home. If you throw up before midnight, I will never let you live it down."
Julie was busy watching them, but then her phone chimed again.
Jack again. "Why didn't you text me back?"
"I told you, I'm at a party," she responded.
Then her cell phone started ringing, it was Jack, and she couldn't very well not answer since she had just been texting him.
"Hello?"
"Julie, why the hell are you not on your way yet?" he asked.
"I told you I'm not coming," she said.
Chuckling, he said, "You will if you come over, I promise."
Rolling her eyes, she said, "You're disgusting; you know what I meant."
"Why aren't you drinking yet?" he asked.
Deciding just to blow it off, she said, "I'm not drinking tonight, I'm someone's DD."
"Ooh, that sucks. Well, blow that person off and quit making lame excuses. As soon as these fucks finish this game, we're going to get the party started. You don't have to drive home, I’ll drive, you can crash with me if you want."
"Oh, yeah, I'm going to let you get behind the wheel when you've been drinking," she said sarcastically.
"Well then it looks like you're going to have to come give me a ride home. Come over, we'll hang out here for a few hours, watch the ball fall, and then you can come home with me."
"Yeah, I'm sure your girlfriend would really appreciate that."
"Oh, you left me for another man; you can't really be salty about that. I love you," he said.
Wishing she would have ignored his call, she merely said, "No, you don't. Look, have fun at your party, but I have to go, I'm being rude at mine."
"Whose party are you really at?" he asked.
"I already told you, a co-worker's."
"So Matt's party? Is he mingling with his wife, or does he stop over to see you every now and again?"
Then it hit her—Jack still thought she worked for Matt.
And he would continue to think that for the rest of the year, she decided.
"I have to go, Jack. Have fun. Happy New Year."
It sounded like he sighed, then without much enthusiasm he said, "Yeah, happy new year to you too."