Page 79 of O Goalie Night
“We’ll have to leave for dinner soon,” Ben responds, a pointed gaze fixed on Valentina.
“We can be late,” she responds, a slight annoyance in her tone as she stares at the swirling alcohol in her glass.
“Yeah, Benny,” Xan adds, like an idiot who just found a hornet’s nest and pokes it with a stick. “It’s rude to invite us here only to tell us to leave.”
He glares at her. “Now that you bring it up, I don’t remember inviting you in the first place.”
I stifle a laugh. Something tells me that will only make matters worse. Everyone stands in uncomfortable silence.
“Ben, I need your help with something in the bedroom,” Valentina says flatly and heads towards the hallway. Ben rolls his eyes and turns to follow. He’s not even trying to hide his irritation anymore.
“Well, that was awkward,” Xan sniffs before draining her glass.
Dante gives her a look of pure disdain but says nothing.
The English woman, whose name I’ve forgotten, doesn’t hold back. “For fuck’s sake, Xan. Why do you always have to remind us what a slag you are? Do us all a favour and seek professional help.”
Xan doesn’t look chagrined in the least. In fact, she looks extremely pleased at the chaos she’s created. “Whatever, Gwen. I need a cigarette.” Her cold eyes slide back to me. “Join me?”
“No, thanks.”
She sidles up to me, placing her hand on my arm and running it over my bicep. “You don’t drink. You don’t smoke. Maybe we should get out of here and I can figure out what your vice is.”
Even through the layers of clothing, her touch makes my skin crawl.
“Maybe you shouldn’t touch people without their consent.”
Beth’s words are followed by a stunned silence. Her voice is gentle, almost sweet, like she’s talking to one of her students.
“Is that so?” Xan’s mouth twists into a cruel smile.
“It is. Personal boundaries are very important and should always be respected. It’s a lesson that children are taught in Kindergarten. I can teach you a song to help you remember, if you’d like.” Beth's complete lack of aggression is pissing Xan off, much to her friends’ amusement.
“I’d like to hear the song,” the English woman apparently named Gwen says, raising her hand in the air and barely holding back her laughter.
“I would also like to hear this song,” Dante agrees.
“Fuck you both.” Xan spits out before turning on Beth. “As for you, Second-Hand Sue, if Foster doesn’t want me to touch him, he can–”
“I don’t want you to touch me.”
She turns at me, and slides her hand further up my arm. “You don’t mean that,” her voice dripping with flirtation, like this is part of the chase. I’m guessing she hasn’t been turned down before.
“I’ve never meant anything more in my life. Ever.”
Xan removes her hand and drops the sex kitten act, her expression souring.
Beth claps. She actually claps. “Thank you for using your listening ears, Xan. Now, as my brother said, we have another event to go to.”
Gwen and Dante exchange delighted looks before setting down their glasses and starting for the front door.
“It was an absolute pleasure,” Gwen tells Beth, giving her a peck on the cheek before she leaves. “You have no idea.”
“Take care of that dress, my dear,” Dante adds with a wink. “Hold on to that one,” he says in a low voice as he walks past me. Maybe I judged this guy too quickly.
Xan, who seems less than thrilled by this turn of events, starts dragging her heels when she reaches the door. “I have a coat!”
Beth reaches into the closet and pulls out what appears to be a purple fur coat. “Is this it?”
