Page 107 of Only Fate

Some might say it’s time for us to cut the umbilical cord, but free rent in this economy? Who’d say no to that?

He shuts the door and strolls toward the fridge. “You want something to drink?”

I plop down on a gaming chair. “What do you have that’ll make me feel nothing?”

“Beer, whiskey, vodka if you want something to make you forget your problems. I have some CBD drinks or gummies if you want to relax.”

“I’ll takeforget my problemsfor a hundred, please.”

“Got it.” He salutes me, opens a cabinet, and pours us Cherry Coke and vanilla vodkas.

I snatch the remote.

He snags a bag of Cheetos from the counter, gripping them in his teeth, and delivers our drinks to the table between the two gaming chairs.

“What game do you want to play?” He plops down on a gaming chair and opens the Cheetos.

“You pick.” I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t even know what’s popular anymore.”

“Want to try our new game? It’s still the beta version, but so far, I’d say it’s near goddamn perfect.”

“Sounds good to me.” I sip my drink and pinch my lips as the alcohol slips down my throat.

He spends the next ten minutes explaining the game before pouring us refills.

I’ve never been good at drunk gaming.

But at this rate, it’s not my goal to win.

My goal is to forget about Adrian.

River, on the other hand, can win, even when practically passed out.

I study the remote as he starts the game.

“Sooo …” He draws out the word like an entire sentence. “Are we back to hating Adrian? I need you to send me updated alerts on who we do and don’t like.”

“We’re back to not liking him,” I declare, side-eyeing him. “Obviously, considering I told you his mother works at the program that’s helping Earl.”

He blows out a long breath and lays the remote on his lap. “I don’t get why people have such a hard time with just being honest. Lies and secrets will always catch up to you.”

“Cowardness,” I mutter, slumping in my chair.

“The downfall of many.”

“Why are men so dumb?”

He scoots his chair closer to mine to wrap me in his arms. “I wish I could answer that for you, but unfortunately, as a man, I fit into the dumb category.”

I sniffle before laughing. “I can’t believe you just called yourself dumb.”

“Nah, it’s a fact. Ava showed me reports about it.” He kisses the top of my head. “Now, that’s not to say it’s an excuse for Adrian’s dumbass mistake. He needs to be held responsible for that.”

“I’m glad I came over tonight,” I murmur as he pulls away.

“Me too. I might be too dumb to give advice—because of the wholebeing a guything—but I’ll always be here to make you laugh.” He stops to show his muscles. “Or fight, if you decide you want me to kick Adrian’s ass.”

I grab a Cheeto from the bag and toss it at him. “You only want to punch him so you can break your hand, go to the hospital, and have Ava treat you.”

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