I was feeling really good, and this sparkly blue cocktail Jay had given me tasted likeheaven.So far, everything I’d consumed on this campus had just tasted so stinking good.
I giggled to myself as I stirred my drink with the little paper umbrella, watching the edible glitter billow around in the fancy glass.
The pub was bumping old 2000s hits and was full of people from all departments. They’d opened up the big garage doors, making the venue open air, and the industrial feeling of the interior spilled out into the balmy California evening air.
“Want to play some pool?” Jay asked me, leaning in close so he didn’t have to yell. Sebastian was standing on my other side, sipping a lager out of the bottle, smirking.
“I kicked your ass last time, Reynolds. You sure you want to play again?”
Jay gave him a challenging grin and nodded.
“I let you win. You were having a shitty day.”
Seb rolled his eyes. “Sure you did, bud.”
“I’ve never played pool before,” I mused, feeling much calmer than normal with this sparkly, amazing drink humming through my veins.
Jay feigned shock. “Never?”
“We’ll have to teach you.” Seb winked, already making his way over to the large red velvet pool table set off to the side of the bar.
“We’ll play a few rounds first so you can learn, then you can take a few practice shots,” Sebastian said easily, as he put the balls in the triangle and set up the game.
I nodded, happily slurping my drink as I watched them chalk up their cues.
Jay was dressed more casually than normal. His cream cotton t-shirt and army green joggers looked great with his tanned skin and toasted chestnut hair. He shot me a dazzling smile as he rubbed some blue stuff on his cue.
Jiminy Cricket—he was so hot.
The muscles in his lean forearms rippled as he adjusted the cue, and I found myself wondering if the muscles in his chest were rippling under his t-shirt, too.
Jeeze, Milo! Friends don’t check their friends out.
Though as I slurped the rest of my drink, the alcohol convinced me it was okay tolook.
Looking was okay.
Harmless.
Sebastian was ridiculously good-looking, too, but he didn’t have the same sexy swagger Jay did while he played. Something about the confident, casual way Jay fingered his pool cue had my mouth watering.
What would those hands look like fingering something else?
My cheeks flushed, and I giggled to myself.
I was being ridiculous. Definitely couldn’t let him anywhere near me with the NeuroManipulator now…
Jay glanced at me and caught me looking at him. Normally, I would have felt shy and looked away, but again, I was feeling less anxious than normal.
I found myself biting my lip, and his eyes darkened as we stared at each other. Sebastian was busy lining up his shot when Jay ambled over to me, a sly grin on his face.
“Like what you see, Milo?” he asked, leaning in close enough to my ear that his warm breath made me shudder.
“What? No! I’m just trying to learn!” I squeaked, and he chuckled, shaking his head playfully.
“Sure you are.” He glanced down at my now-empty glass and smoothly swiped it out of my hand. “Looks like you need another drink. I’ll be right back.”
“You trying to get me drunk?” I teased, and his eyes flashed with amusement.
