Page 55 of Would You Rather
I widen my eyes at him. I haven’t told Madeline that James and my family know the truth. And I hope he doesn’t expose that right now.
“Hi,” Madeline replies in a sweet voice I’ve never been on the receiving end of. What the hell? “Lucas has told me so much about you. I’ve been dying to meet you.”
“Well, we can’t have that.” He lifts himself, moving toward her, and picks up her hand in his, bringing it to his lips.
My jaw clenches.
He likes guys.He. Likes. Guys. I repeat the sentence to myself until I start to forget about his hand holding hers, kissing it. “Nice to finally meet you. Lucas here doesn’t shut up about you either.”
Asshole.
She smirks, looking up at me. “Is that right?”
“He’s drunk,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying.”
He scoffs. “I had one beer. I think I’m fine.” I glare at him, but the asshole just smirks back.
“Here,” Gabi says, lifting herself off the couch. “Take my seat.”
“Thanks,” he says, dropping down onto the couch. He lets out a breath, and I wonder if he is exhausted. It’s the most he’s been on his feet since the accident.
“I thought you were tired?” Madeline asks her best friend.
Gabi grins, shrugging not so innocently. “Now I’m not. Actually, I’m kind of bored.”
“Oh no,” Madeline whispers.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her, loosening my hold on her.
A heavy sigh escapes her. “Usually, when Gabi’s bored, it’s not good.”
I let out a chuckle. “Why not?”
“How about we play a game?” Gabi asks, her eyes shining with mischief.
“That’s why,” Madeline offers, settling into me.
“What kind of game?” Leila asks.
“Would you rather.” Gabriella’s eyebrows wiggle as she holds out a beer toward me. I grab it from her.
She makes her way around the table, handing beers to the rest of the group, except for Leila and Aiden, who get given a coke. “You answer the question,” she says, sitting down on the couch beside James and cracking open her beer. “If not, you drink.”
“Hey, man.” A guy comes up to Aiden, tapping him on the back.
“Hey,” Aiden says. “You just got here?”
He nods, brushing his dirty blond hair back. “Yeah, a few minutes ago. What are you guys doing?”
“We’re playing would you rather,” James says, his eyes hardened. “You want to play?”
The guy blanches, swallowing harshly as he keeps his eyes on James. “No, I uh… I should go. It was nice to see you,” he says to Aiden before heading toward the party.
“Who was that?” James asks, taking a sip of his beer.
“One of my teammates,” Aiden says, fixing the cap on his head. “Carter Ruthers. Great guy.”
“Okay.” Gabi claps, facing us. “Let’s play. Would you rather bite or be bitten?” Gabi asks, smiling.
