Page 107 of Distortion
‘A cocktail,’ he explains at my blank expression.
‘Oh.’ I sniff it. ‘It smells of mint!’
I take another whiff and glance at Blake. It reminds me of how he smelled the other night when I slept in his room.
Mav smiles at me. ‘Yeah, I thought we’d try something sweet like the juice from the other night, but nowhere near as strong.’
I nod and take a sip. ‘It’s nice.’
‘I’m glad you like it. I did a mixology class last summer while I was working in the club, so I got pretty good at making them.’
‘Mixology?’
‘Making drinks. Bar drinks.’ He sits back in his seat, closer than he was before, I notice, and he pulls my bent legs into his lap, being careful with my scraped knees.
‘So you worked at a club?’ I ask.
He locks eyes with Blake behind me for a second. ‘Yeah,’ he says, but doesn’t elaborate.
‘I’ve never been to a club before. What’s it like?’
Blake chuckles. ‘Loud. Busy. Smells a little like feet sometimes.’
I wrinkle my nose. It sounds horrible, so I drop it and instead take stock of my surroundings ...and myself.
I’m sandwiched between Mav and Blake and it’s weirdly comfortable. There are about twenty other guys in the room, all on the floor or on the couches. Most have a drink in their hand and are talking to each other. I’m largely ignored and I relax slightly as the lights dim. The film begins with some dramatic, eerie music.
‘What are we watching?’ I whisper.
‘Some action movie that just came out. You might have seen it already,’ Blake answers from very close to my ear.
I jump a little at his proximity out of habit more than anything and then laugh as his words register. ‘Not likely. We had a monthly movie evening but the ... uh ... clinic didn’t show anything that was deemed upsetting or too exciting.’
‘Really?’ Mav sound horrified. ‘What did you watch then?’
I raise a brow at him. ‘Mary Poppinswas a big one. Everyone likedBedknobs and Broomsticks. They had to turn offBambithough. A bunch of us got upset because of his mom dying.’
Blake sniggers behind me.
‘It was harrowing!’ I say, turning around.
Blake pulls me back into his side. ‘I know it was, princess. Everyone thinks that the first time they see it ... although it’s usually when we’re about six or seven ...’
‘It has no business being a movie for tiny children,’ I mutter and I feel his body shaking with laughter.
‘Well, if you find this oneharrowingtoo, Daisy, feel free to stay close to me. I’ll keep you safe.’ He leans forward and whispers in my ear. ‘Is that pretty ass feeling okay after earlier? It looked a little red. I could rub some cream into it later if you want.’
I glance at Mav who’s watching the screen. He didn’t hear Blake, I’m sure of it.
‘Is this part of the deal we made?’ I say very quietly.
‘Do you want it to be?’
I glance at him. ‘I’m not ready for what you wanted after the lab,’ I whisper.
‘We don’t have to do that,’ he answers.
I shift a little closer as the movie gets louder and I flinch at the surround sound. ‘Whatdowehaveto do?’
