As soon as he says it, I nearly choke on my popcorn. I can’t believe Lukas just said that. None of them seem to realize the probably unintentional innuendo, though. They are only showing concern about me and the bit of popcorn trying to take up residence in my lungs. This is so embarrassing. This is now the second time tonight that I’ve choked in front of them. Is my body just determined to give up on breathing around these guys?
“Are you okay?” asks Felix, patting my back.
Elliot uncaps a bottle of water and hands it to me.
“Thank you.” I take a cautious sip after coughing the popcorn back out of my airway. “I’m okay. Really.”
“Do you want anything other than water?” asks Elliot. “We don’t have any alcohol, but there’s juice in the fridge. Or energy drinks or tea?”
“Water is fine. Thanks.” I take another sip to show my appreciation and then set down the bottle on the coaster Felix immediately slides in front of me.
“Are you sure you’re good?” asks Lukas.
“Yeah, let’s start the show. I’m excited for my first time.” I use Lukas’s words because I want to test their reactions, see if me saying the same thing registers for them the way him sayingit did for me. But they all just settle in around me to munch their snacks and turn their focus to the TV.
“You won’t regret it. This show is awesome,” says Felix.
“Life-changing,” agrees Elliot.
I’m sure they’re hyping up the show way more than it deserves, but as I lean back against the sofa cushions, Elliot and Sebastian’s arms brushing mine, I let myself imagine for just a moment what it would be like if I did try to date them. Every weekend could be like this—popcorn and movie nights, cuddled up on the sofa with them, being introduced to all sorts of new things … nowthatwould be life-changing.
Chapter Seven
A buzzing interrupts the sound of the TV. We all look around for the source, and Sebastian hands me my purse. I pull out my phone, setting the bag down behind me on the sofa.
“I’m just going to step into the hall a moment.” I hold up my phone, which is still vibrating in my hand. The screen is lit up with Ronnie’s name and picture.
“We can pause the show,” says Sebastian, already grabbing the remote.
“Thanks.” It probably doesn’t matter as I probably wouldn’t be any more lost if they were to keep watching, but it’s sweet of them to do anyway.
I swipe the phone screen to answer the call once I’m in the hallway. “Hey, is everything okay?”
“I’m fine, but I heard there was a fight at the party,” says Ronnie. “Did those guys take you home? Are you okay? Do you need me and Trevor to come get you?”
“I’m fine. Must’ve happened after we left I’m actually,” I look back to make sure the guys can’t overhear me, “at the guys’ house to watch a movie.”
“Oh. Wow. But you’re okay there? Can they bring you home later? If so, I’ll stay the night with Trevor.” Ronnie’s voice dropsto a whisper. “I think things are starting to get serious between us. He told me he’s not seeing anyone else right now.”
I’m not going to ask Ronnie to come get me mid-episode, even if I’m kind of confused by the plot. Especially if she’s still with Trevor. I already don’t think he likes me much, and if he thinks I’m cock-blocking him I’ve got no hope of him ever coming around. I don’t care if he likes me for my sake, but if he and Ronnie do end up being serious, her life will be easier if Trevor and I get along.
“I’m good. I’ll get a ride. Don’t worry about me, go have fun with Trevor.”
Ronnie squeals with glee. “Thanks! Don’t wait up!” The line goes dead.
I stay in the hallway a moment, looking back toward the living room archway. The show might be kind of silly, but the guys are nice.
When I return to the living room, however, I nearly trip over my own feet in shock.
Felix is holding a piece of pink paper in his hand, and the others are all reading it over his shoulder.
It looks like my purse has fallen over on the sofa, spilling some of its contents onto the cushion. Including, it appears, the stupid sex list Ronnie had slipped in there earlier. I’d completely forgotten about it, and now my heart plummets into my stomach as I watch the guys’ intense perusal of the evidence of my sexual inexperience.
I should call Ronnie back and beg her to come get me, even if she is with Trevor. Even sitting in the back of Trevor’s car knowing they’re both thinking about all the fun naked things they’d rather be doing won’t be anywhere near as bad as this moment right here. But it will take her at least fifteen minutes to get to me. I have no quick way out of this scenario. Even if I ordera ride off a rideshare app, I’ll have to wait for it to get here. Any amount of time is too much.
But as I head back into the living room to retrieve my bag so I can run far, far away from here, my humiliation morphs into anger.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Even if it did fall out of my purse, what makes them think it’s okay to read it?
