Why was I so wound up? I needed to get a grip.
“Stop fidgeting.” Liam elbowed me. “Can’t you get situated?”
I narrowed my eyes and whispered, “River, do you remember what we talked about earlier?”
Her eyes lit up, and she nodded, already scurrying towards the kitchen.
“You’d think she’s never eaten candy before in her life.” Liam brushed the cookie crumbs off his pants with a shake of his head. “What was that all about?”
“Oh, you’ll see.” I hummed, “River’s just making you a little treat.”
Just as I was about to go check on her, River came back, carefully carrying two mugs filled to the brim with mostly marshmallows. Undoubtedly, to hide our little secret. I was impressed, she was a master prankster already.
“Here.” She grunted, giving one mug to Liam and the other to Carter, who only smirked knowingly.
“Thanks, River.” Liam said, still watching the screen, completely oblivious to her standing there, waiting for his reaction. I winked at her while we all waited for an unsuspecting Liam totake the first sip.
Finally, he took a heavy swig and then immediately coughed, nearly spitting it out.
I chuckled as the smaller kids aggressively shushed him. “What’s in this?” Liam raised an amused brow.
Hardly able to contain herself, River twisted back and forth, a naughty grin on her face. “Lots of hot sauce.”
“Oh, that’s very creative.” Liam chuckled, setting his drink down. “I think I need a palate cleanser, though.” Liam loved spicy food, so I knew she must have poureda toninto his mug.
“It’s just a joke. I can make you a real one if you want.” River sprinted off to the kitchen, not waiting for Liam.
I leaned in to whisper to Carter, “Liam has chocolate on his ass.” I breathed, realizing he wasright therewhen I turned my head a moment later.
Carter’s eyes flicked up to look, but he didn’t shift away from me as he chuckled low and deep, the sound vibrating against me. “Sure does.” His face was a mere breath away from mine, and I swallowed hard before shyly dropping my gaze. “I’ll just stick with my old-fashioned, I think.” Carter drummed his fingers on the back of the couch, wisely leaving his hot chocolate untouched. “Let me guess, that was your sneaky little idea from earlier?”
I shrugged, keeping my voice low. “You did break both of the eggs. Had to pay you back somehow.” I met his gaze again. It wassointense, eyes so warm and focused only on me. I wondered what exactly he was thinking.
“You got me there.” Carter licked his lips, and I studied his split lip before he finally brought his glass to his mouth after what felt like a lifetime. His Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed and then he passed me the glass. “I’ll remind you, you started your little prankbeforethe eggs broke.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, taking the glass from him. “Whiskey?”
He nodded. “Whiskey, bitters, turkey cheer. You know, the essentials.”
I rolled my eyes and took a small sip, testing it out. “I don’tknow what I expected, I hate whiskey.” I grimaced as it burned all the way down.
Carter chuckled and sat forward. “Come on, I’ll make you something sweet.” His fingers wiggled behind him, reaching for me as we weaved through the packed crowd towards the door. His finger wiggling became more and more aggressive until I finally swatted him, and my stomach flipped when he grabbed on with a rough, calloused hand and didn’t let go. Not until we hit the hallway.
Liam and River passed by, heading back to the movie. “You’ve got chocolate on your ass,” Liam chimed from behind me.
I looked down, my mouth falling open in surprise, and River shot me a guilty look, flashing me a theatrical clenched smile.
“So do you!” I called back to Liam.
“Shit. These are new.” He muttered, twisting to look at the back of his pants. “Hey, bring me a drink when you come back.” He called over his shoulder, and then I could hear him explaining to River the importance of candy-eating zones using the theory of mise en place as they disappeared back into the theater.
Carter gave me a soft smile and tilted his head, motioning for me to follow him, and as we walked down the quiet hallway towards the bar, I suddenly felt incredibly nervous.
CHAPTER 11
Drinking Games
SARAFINA
