Page 17 of Little Paper Games
“Just goes to show you don’t know a good old-fashioned when you meet one.” He took another sip, groaning at the taste. I couldn’t blame him. It really was incredible.
“Fine, I’ll concede. It’s a damn good old-fashioned.” I took a few more sips as the awkwardness settled over us again.
One drink became two.
Two became three.
By then I was more than feeling the effects of it. I felt warm and a little buzzy and happy. With Jude. That was weird, and I didn’t want to think about it too much.
“Okay, we still have no power and I’m bored to tears,” Jude announced randomly, breaking the stifling quiet.
“Okay, what do you want me to do about it?” I sassed. The liquor made me sassier. As if that were possible.
“Let’s play a game,” Jude suggested.
“I’m in no mood for Go Fish, Jude Lincoln,” I murmured, finishing off my third drink and opting for something different this time.
“Not Go Fish, you weirdo,” he chortled. “Never Have I Ever.”
The quiet filled the room again. I hated that fucking game.
“I don’t think so,” I refused, pouring myself a combination of drinks. A little of this, a little of that. I was going to hurt tomorrow.
“Aw, come on. Why not, Red. Are you too scared to play?” The fucker was playing with me.
“Is that a challenge, Jude Lincoln?” I asked. My words weren’t slurred. Nope. Not at all.
“Only if you’re brave enough to take it, Red.” His voice had dropped a little. When had Jude-fucking-Lincoln started sounding sexy? Ew, that felt gross to even think about.
“Challenge accepted, motherfucker — Hic!”
“Did you just hiccup? Are you that drunk already?” Jude cackled, about to get his face pummeled by yours truly.
“No, it was just a hiccup. See?” I waited a full thirty seconds with no hiccups before continuing. “So, Never Have I Ever. Let’s get this bitch started.”
“Ladies first,” he offered, gesturing at me with his glass of whiskey.
“Go right ahead since you’re the biggest lady here.” I snorted out a laugh.
“Very well. Never have I ever aced a final without studying.” I looked at him with what must have been an indiscernible look.
“What?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders.
“That was a dumb question. No one passes finals without studying,” I argued.
“Doesn’t matter. Drink up, Red,” he snickered, taking a small sip of his drink.
“Fine.” I gave up, sipping my own drink. “Never have I ever played strip poker.”
Jude took a swig of his whiskey, a smirk on his face.
“Never have I ever gone snowboarding,” Jude added. I quirked one of my eyebrows up and took a sip.
“Really?” he asked, intrigued.
“Yup, on the family’s trip to Boulder last year,” I admitted.
“That surprises me. I always thought you were too klutzy for sports.” I decidednotto tell him about the sprained knee I also came home with. Secrets could be good too.
