Page 9

Ekon waves for the bartender. "Six shots of tequila."

The bartender lines them up, adding salt, limes, and a small bit of sugar when one of the ladies complains about the taste. No one is drinking because it tastes good. We're drinking to get fucked up.

"You first," I say to Ekon. "Since it's your brainchild."

"Alright." He picks up a shot glass, rolls it between his fingers. "Truth." He downs the tequila, bites the lime, and sets the glass on the bar top. "Go ahead. Ask me something."

The woman beside him brushes his body with her shoulder. Ekon recoils, pushing himself into my space. My legs tremble, bouncing on the stool.

"How many women have you taken home from the club?" asks the woman beside him.

"Recently..." he trails off. "Zero," he says.

"What about before that?" I interject.

"I already answered for my turn. Next time, you can ask me if I choose truth."

I huff, folding my arms over my chest.

Ekon turns to me. "Your turn, Yue. Truth or dare?"

Truth means a shot and an answer, and I don't trust what might come out of my mouth after more bourbon. Dare means doing something, and I don't trust what I might do with him sitting that close.

"Truth," I say.

I take the shot. The tequila burns, cutting through the bourbon. I know better than to mix my alcohol, but here we are. I bite the lime, and the sourness floods my mouth.

"Ask me anything," I say to no one in particular.

The woman who asked Ekon his questions beams. "Are you and him together?" She points at Ekon.

"No."

It's like the room freezes a moment after I answer, and the world waits. Once my answer hits everyone's ears, rolling around inside their minds, the world moves again. The game moves on quickly, with some of us doing dares and others sticking to truths. Ekon doesn't say truth at all, sticking to dares.

"Truth or dare?" Mac asks.

Ekon doesn't hesitate. "Dare."

Mac grins, opening his mouth to speak, but no words come out.

"Dare me to kiss Yue," Ekon says, interjecting while his eyes flicker toward me.

My heart stops, crashing into my belly. The bar goes quiet. It's not slow at all. It's as if the entire world pauses once again, quieting with a short snap. The women beside Ekon tremble, hands shaking as they reach for their glasses. The bartender's eyebrows raise to their forehead. Mac's mouth falls open, but no words escape.

I stare at him, heart thudding at a rapid beat. Ekon stares back, eyes steady.

"That's not—" Mac starts.

"It's my dare," Ekon says, interrupting him. "I pick the dare. I dare myself to kiss Yue." He angles his body toward me, awarding me his full attention.

The full weight of those brown eyes, smooth jaw, and brown locs falling over his shoulder is far too much.

My hips tense, rising at the same rate as my heart.

"Unless you don't accept," he adds. "But you would only not accept... if you're scared."

My teeth dig into my bottom lip. Ekon leans over, crowding me in the corner while others watch. My heart slams against my ribs so hard it rattles my throat. I can feel the coolness coming off him, wrapping me in a cold night. It's like the world is a furnace, and his cold skin is what keeps the craziness at bay.