Unconsciously, Oliver came to my rescue. “What about the movie?” he asked, frowning in the direction of the TV.
“Nobody wants to watchCasino Royale, Oliver,” Xander said, throwing one of the couch pillows at him. “Thanks to you, we’ve seen it a million times.”
“Actually, I wouldn’t mind,” Boomer replied. “There’s an Aston Martin DBS in that film.”
Oliver beamed. “You like James Bond?”
“He likescars,” Asha answered with a snort. And, as if that was reason enough to drink, she held out her cup to JJ, who still had the bottle in hand. He obliged, pouring a shot worth of vodka and sliding it over to her. Without hesitation, Asha threw back the booze in one go.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” JJ said, rubbing his hands together. “So whose turn is it?”
“I’ll go,” Alec offered. “Who’s most likely to be abducted by aliens?”
“Come on!” Xander grumbled when everyone except me and Asha voted for him. We both pointed at Boomer. “It’s like you guys are trying to get me drunk. I’m not putting up with this anymore. It’s time for a change of entertainment.”
Chapter 15
“Why does your team get to be the cops?”
“Because,” JJ said. “I’m more manly and overall better looking than you, Xander. Besides, you keep an inhaler in your back pocket.”
“I have asthma, not paraplegia,” Xander complained. “And what does that have to do with anything?”
Everyone was gathered outside on the back patio of Safe House, and a few feet away from us, JJ and Xander were arguing. The rain had stopped, but the air still had a heavy wetness to it, and every time I took a breath, I felt like my lungs had been hooked up to a humidifier. Not wanting my curls to frizz, I twisted my hair up into a bun.
“Maybe you should decide by seniority,” Boomer suggested. He was standing between the two boys, arms crossed over his chest like a referee. All he needed was a whistle.
“In that case, I still win,” JJ announced.
Xander threw up his hands. “No way is that fair! You picked first so you could have Oliver on your team. I should at least get to decide whether we’re the good guys or the bad guys.”
“Is it just me,” I whispered, leaning in so only Asha could hear me. “Or do they act like a bunch of little kids?”
I wasn’t merely referring to the Heartbreakers’ inability to makedecisions without squabbling, but their choice of entertainment. Back in the basement, after deciding that Most Likely had run its course, Oliver suggested we play Cops and Robbers.
Outside.
At night.
In the creepy forest that I wasn’t entirely convinced was devoid of vampires and other nightmarish creatures.
I’d never heard of the game, and when Oliver detailed the rules, it sounded like a giant game of team tag. Something kids did for fun at recess, not a group of almost adults. Both Oliver and JJ were horrified I’d never played before, claiming I’d missed out on some childhood rite of passage. Maybe it was because I didn’t have memories of hanging with the neighbor kids to reminisce over, but the game sounded dreadful to me. There was nothing fun about running. Nothing.
Despite this, tag was preferable to starting another drinking game, so I’d grudgingly agreed.
“Maturity isn’t their strong suit,” Stella said, answering my question.
Asha and I turned at the sound of her voice. I hadn’t realized anyone else was listening, but there she was, standing a few feet away from us, eyes gleaming with amusement.
“I think that’s why people like them,” Asha said, unabashed that we’d been caught talking about our hosts. “They’re real, you know? Just four guys who like to goof off and have fun.”
“Yeah,” Stella agreed. “It’s part of their charm.”
“Are you talking about us?” Alec asked, stepping up behind her.
Stella jumped at his sudden appearance and pressed a handagainst her chest. “Jesus! I hate it when you do that.” The grin on Alec’s face confirmed he knew this, but that he enjoyed scaring the crap out of her more.
“Okay,okay!” JJ exclaimed, putting his hands up in defeat. “My team will be the robbers. I make a more ruggedly handsome villain anyway.”
