Page 1 of Tension

BONUS SCENE FROM SATURATION

DIRTY UNO

CHRIS

Vel slams the deck of Uno cards down like we are about to gamble with rent money. “Alright, house rules, y’all. This is Dirty Uno.”

He passes out cards with too much energy, grinning like this is his favorite part of the night. “Draw 2 means someone takes off a piece of clothing. Draw 4? Someone does a dare picked by the group. Skip means you gotta kiss somebody. The reverse card is a truth. And Wild?” He pauses for dramatic effect, eyes flicking toward me. “Play at your own risk. Whoever puts it down gets to pick the person to do it. If you don’t want to do it, you drink. Simple.”

Matt rubs his face. “I don’t plan on drinking at all, so y’all better get ready!”

The game kicks off easily enough, the room filled with the sharp snap of cards hitting the table and the clinking of ice in glasses. People throw out cards, laugh, and pass drinks around. But it isn’t long before Matt is peeling off his socks.

“Another Draw 2? LL, are you for real?”

Langston just shrugs. “Play better.”

I am buzzed, warm, and regretting the jeans I wore. Not because I look bad; I look fine as hell. I’d taken my wig off an hour ago, showing off my pixie cut. The cool air feels good on my scalp, but the way Vel’s eyes keep snagging on the nape of my neck makes me feel exposed in a whole different way.

I am already three shots in and just want to be comfortable. Jasmine is posted up like the quiet girl who doesn't want trouble, but her eyes keep cutting to Joe.

Vel sits across from me. He hasn’t gotten picked for a Draw 2 yet, which is kind of disappointing. And he hasn’t stopped looking at me, either. It has me squirming.

Nia puts down a Draw 4 and picks me. My luck.

“Dare!” the room chants.

Vel leans forward, all elbows and mischief. “Alright, I dare Chris to let me give her a massage.”

“Really?” I say, flat, trying to ignore the way my muscles tense at the thought of his hands on me.

He smiles like he knows something I don't. “Unless you’d rather take that shot.”

“I have a man,” I say, too quickly.

Nia doesn’t even look up from her hand, her voice dry as a bone. “Do you?”

Jasmine sips her drink and raises her eyebrows. “I mean, he’s not here.”

“And I’m sure he does what he wants when you’re not around,” Nia adds, her loyalty to me manifesting as a blunt truth I am not ready to swallow.

Langston turns to Nia. “We don’t like Chris’s man?”

Nia replies, “We do not.”

“Bet,” say all the guys in unison.

My glare is loud. “You bitches are wrong.” I throw back a shot, the liquid burning a path down my throat. “And you’re annoying,” I say to Vel, but my legs are crossed tighter than before.

Matt puts down a Draw 4 next, aimed at Jasmine. Vel leans over before anyone can talk. “I dare you to give Joe a lap dance.”

Everyone laughs, assuming she’d drink. But she doesn’t. She stands, slow and confident, walks over to Joe like she is built for this, and lowers herself right onto his lap. Big Ol Freak is already playing in the background. Joe sits frozen at first, hands hovering like he doesn't know what to do. Then she moves, slow, rolling her hips. And Joe? He melts. He slides his hands to her waist and leans back with pure admiration.

“Okay, Jas,” I say, my mouth wide open.

Vel claps once. “Did not see that coming.”

Jasmine just smirks and walks back to her seat like she hasn’t just turned the whole room out. Meanwhile, Matt is down to his boxers. “LL, how many damn Draw Twos you got?” he groans.