Scott shouts from the table. When he walks back, he gives Cecily and me our own cups. “Drink up,” Scott winks at Cecily, and then he’s off talking to Russell and Rocky.
I point at Westley. “Is Scotty just messing with me or what?”
He shrugs. “You know how he gets.”
“Yeah, but he’s acting like this because––”
Cecily bumps me with her shoulder, and then she leans in and whispers, “Knew it’d be a dick measuring contest. Stop giving Scott what he wants.”
She pulls back, and I nod. I stare into her eyes, and everyone here disappears. I blink a few times, remembering where I am, even if being around her steals every ounce of my attention.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Can you drive my truck?”
She glares at me. “The deal was no drinking.”
“Just one,” I protest.
Rocky chides in. “She’s not letting you drink?”
Cecily ignores him and says, “That was part of the deal.”
I lean in and whisper in her ear, “I promise I’ll behave.”
Her cheek grazes mine as she counters, “Alcohol is poison.”
“Don’t I get a cheat day?”
Her face is close to mine as Scott hollers, “Just fuck already!” Then he laughs.
Cecily looks over at him, but I keep my eyes on hers. Her eyes don’t harden, they soften. And a tiny frown appears at the corners of her lips.
I grab her chin, forcing her attention back on me. “You good?”
She nods. “I can’t control you. You can drink as much as you want. I did lose the bet.”
“Bet?”
She nods, offering a smile. “Your team won, so…”
I raise my cup and smile, chugging it. She watches me as more people enter the party.
By the time Layla enters the house, Cecily is talking with Westley about hockey. My eyes catch Layla’s, and my dick shrivels.
Scott claps my shoulder and says, “I can’t wait to see this unfold.”
“You’re such a dick, man.”
Scott leans in. “This is perfect. Layla’s going to see you with Cecily, freak out, get jealous, and––”
I shake my head. “Dude, dude, dude. This isn’t what I fucking want. I’m done with this bullshit. Cecily is just a friend. I don’t want to start anything between her and Layla or Viv. I’m keeping it completely separate.”
Scott scoffs, laughing. “It’s too late for that. You brought Cecily here to our world. If you wanted it separate, you could’ve kept it strictly at the gym, but no, you’re inviting her out to parties and buying her dinner and shit. Who do you think you’re fooling? Inviting Layla here was a favor. A good one.”
I scoff.
Scott places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m pushing you two together tonight, and I bet you’ll get laid.”
“You’re wrong, Scott. You’re fucking wrong.”
