She shoves me before folding her arms across her chest. “Yes, I was. Not everything is about you. I know it’s a hard concept for that thick Montclair skull, but the world doesn’t actually revolve around you.”
It’s barely a few minutes later my phone chimes with a familiar sound, but it’s not a message I was expecting tonight. It’s from Mercy.
Fuck. Maybe pissing off Ivy wasn’t the best call for tonight and Brooke agrees. “You’ll be lucky if she shows.”
“She will.” She has to. Because she wants to protect someone she cares about. “And I think you’d better worry more about your partner.” I motion over to where my brother is plastered, looking like he’s about five seconds from falling off the chair.
“Damn it. I doubt the dipshit can even walk in a straight line right now.”
“Sounds like a problem for Team Micah.”
“And what if it’s a dangerous challenge? You really want to risk him falling and breaking his neck?”
“Still sounds like your problem, not mine. But I doubt we’ll be anywhere he can fall.”
“Why?” She looks nervous.
“The challenge said ‘dare to bury.’ Doubt it’s walking the plank again. But hopefully it’s something that doesn’t take too much effort or you’re out.”
She folds her arms over her chest, her poutiness on full display. “Fine by me. I’ll be glad when it’s over.”
At first, I think I’ll be too. Then I start to consider that Mercy is the only thing ensuring my connection to Ivy. Once it’s over, she’ll resist me even more. Guess winning will have more perks than I recognized.
Brooke is across the room, yelling at Micah, “Check your phone. We have to go, Micah.”
He pulls the phone from his pocket, his face pales as he grumbles, “Fuck.”
I smile, holding up my screen to him. I knew not to get too shit-faced since the dares could come anytime, anywhere. And one thing I will do is be prepared. The other factor is my teammate. Hopefully, she’s not too mad to show. I’d bet money she’ll be there. If anything, she wants to feel something. And the challenges seem to be the only time she wakes up.
Heading outside, I drop into my car and go in the direction I’m guessing she’s walking. Sure enough, I spot her.
Pulling alongside her, I roll down the passenger window. “Get in.”
Unsurprisingly, she ignores me.
“I know you got the message, so you’re aware we have somewhere to be.”
Nothing.
“Are you planning to get a ride with your best friend? I’m guessing his feelings are a little too raw to come out and play again tonight though.”
That does it. She halts to a stop but keeps her vision pointed ahead of her. I can see the restraint in her posture as she tries to not respond.
“You can coddle his fragile ego later. We have places to be.”
She steps next to the car as she tells me, “You’re a miserable piece of shit. Like a literal pest who won’t fucking go away.”
“You’d miss me if I did.” I keep my hand gripped on the wheel, itching to reach for her. The little I touched her tonight made me crave her more.
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Well, get in the car. Maybe you’ll get your wish tonight during Mercy.”
“My luck isn’t that good.” She glares at me for a few seconds before she adds, “This is only for the game. I still hate you and don’t want to be anywhere near you.”
“Understood.”
The door is open and she’s in the passenger seat to my surprise as I tell her, “Brooke thought you’d bail on me tonight.”
