AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You can’t really fault her for that one,” Daisy comments, stealing my attention. “Clever way to get people drinking. It seems our Bails is determined to get everyone on the same level she is.”
“When is she not?”
“Facts.” Daisy snorts, and my eyes zero in on the water in her hand as the game continues around us.
“You’re not drinking?”
“Nah. I’m on some new medication, so it’s not recommended.”
I don’t press, knowing Daisy has struggled with her mental health over the years and has only recently become comfortable with even discussing it, but I squeeze her hand to let her know I’m here if she needs to talk to someone not quite as involved. As the youngest, she’s constantly surrounded by noise, and while her siblings mean well, they’re an overbearing bunch at times.
She sends me a soft smile. “Anyway, what about you? You’ve been quiet the past few days.”
“I’ve been swamped with work and trying to keep up with Bailey’s demands for this week,” I tell her, flicking my gaze to my best friend as she finishes the wine in her glass and turns to Chase to demand another. He indulges her, winking as he leaves the room.
I won’t be telling Daisy that another part of me—a huge part—has been avoiding being stuck in a room with him, especially since I can still feel the imprint of his hand on my thigh.
“I hope you make her work just as hard for your thirtieth.”
Flicking my gaze back to Daisy, I bob my head. “Absolutely, I will. If Bails doesn’t give me the princess treatment, I’ll be revoking bestie rights.”
“You can’t,” Bailey screeches, sliding onto her knees in front of me. “And I already have epic plans for your birthday, so don’t you worry about a thing.”
“Well, now I’m intrigued,” I tease.
She shakes her head from side to side, pursing her lips and mimicking a zipping motion. “You’ll get nothing from me,” she says, turning back to the centre of the room. “Ooh, drink, Ryan!”
“What, why?”
“Josh just said ‘never have I ever had sex in a car,’” she says, far too fucking loudly.
My cheeks blister as half the room turns to stare curiously at me. “I’m never telling you anything,” I hiss through gritted teeth, “everagain.”
She has the good sense to look sheepish. “Shit. Sorry, Ry.”
I take a sip of sambuca, closing my eyes as it goes down. Daisy moves the game along quickly, and I pat her thigh in thanks.
I’m not sure how long we play for, but by the time I’ve drunk sip number seven, I start faking my drinks. I’m not a complete lightweight, but I also don’t want to have to look at pictures on social media tomorrow to try and piece the night together.
When it’s Chase’s turn again, I flick my gaze to his, my breath shallowing at the mischief in his eyes. “Never have I ever…” He pauses dramatically, twisting around until our eyes collide, and my pulse begins to gallop as his smile broadens. Kai chuckles at my side, but I can’t peel my eyes away from Chase long enough to wonder why. “Fucked somebody who is currently in this room.”
My fingers tighten around my bottle, and blood rushes to my ears as he watches me closely, his own drink hovering near his mouth as he waits. Time slows, and the room around me disappears until it’s only him and me.
If I drink, it means we can’t pretend anymore.
We can’t go back to being friends. Though have we ever really beenjustfriends?
My heart thunders in my chest, and goosebumps erect over my skin in anticipation. If we do this, I don’t know what happens next, but I also don’t know I can fight whatever is between us anymore.
He’s giving me an out—letting me make the next move—and I want to take it. There are so many things that could go wrong if I drink. But what if things go right?
I flick my gaze over the room, anxious butterflies stirring in the pit of my stomach. Bailey is distracted, talking animatedly to Kai, while Daisy sits on the couch, nursing her water as she stares out of the window.
Eli, though—he’s looking straight at me with a curious gaze. I catch his eyes, and he smiles, lifting his brow for just a beat before turning away and walking from the room. Pulling in a deep breath, I flick back to Chase, sparks of electricity shooting through my veins as he runs the rim of his glass with his thumb.
The girl at his side laughs at something, her face light with humour, and the part of me that keeps trying to push him away—keep him at a distance—snaps.
My eyes never leave his as I lift the bottle, rolling the rim over my bottom lip before pulling in a deep breath. His chest heaves, and he closes the distance between his mouth and the glass in his hand.
