“What?” I question, looking into her hopeful eyes. I flick a look to Rachel who also just got poured another shot.
“I think it would look wicked!” She leers optimistically.
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly, and she does a little jump and squeal in delight, accepting a shot from Shelby.
“Did Walsh get attacked?” I ask Dani, unable to turn my head, to look at him.
She snickers, nearly spitting the tequila in my face as she laughs. Yep, Dani’s going to be a drunken handful tonight. “What did you do to him?”
“Show Randy your arm,” she says, singing her own praises. She steps back so I can turn my head to look as Walsh holds up his inner arm. There in blue jewels down his arms reads, ‘Football is played by real men…and kickers’.
I can't help but bark out a laugh as everyone else joins in. “That's classic.”
“Aww, poor Walsh,’ Letti laughs, tossing back the shot Seth just handed her. Then she rises, gliding toward Shelby, a fresh shot in one hand and a full glass of champagne in the other as she drops into a seat at the table.
“Throw it back,” Letti says to Shelby, encouraging her to catch up. Shelby doesn’t hesitate, throwing it back while Letti holds the glass in place, making sure she gets every drop.Shelby cringes at the taste, but laughs at her friend’s actions, because there is nothing like two best friends being bad influences on each other.
“Check out Christian’s,” Dani laughs.
Christian sighs and pulls his shirt away from his neck to show off his still noticeable wound. The scar from the bullet now has red gems like blood splatter that trickle over his collarbone and down his bicep.
“Oh my God, Dani,” Rachel half laughs.
“What? That’s funny.” She shrugs.
“What did she put on you, Tyler?” Shelby asks as she sits at the kitchen table as Letti carefully places jewels around her right eye.
Tyler turns to his left to show just under the sleeve of his shirt that his right bicep says ‘Evil Twin’ with a skull and cross bones in green jewels.
“Suits you, man.” I nod.
“Knock, knock.” We hear as Travis and Merrick enter the kitchen, drink in hand and more lodged under their arms.
We all greet them with a cheer, and yes, you can tell the alcohol is kicking in the louder this house gets. Once I have permission from Dani, I stand and shake their hands. Two great friends, and I’m glad they made it to our place before the party. I introduce them to Rachel. Merrick takes a seat at the table while Travis wraps his arms around Letti, talking to her in private as they laugh together.
Seth hands Merrick a shot as we pass the bottle around for everyone to fill their glasses. “Toast,” Christian yells, “Walsh, you are usually good with these things.”
“Umm,” he hesitates but stands, and we all gather and look to him. He thinks to himself for a few seconds. “T-to differences…because with differences comes understanding and acceptance, and with acceptance comes love. With love comes family, whether it be blood or friendship. So, a toast tomyfamily and our differences, may we be forever accepting.”
“Aww.” Shelby and Dani gush.
I smile to Walsh and my friends as we all share a toast together. Saluting?our glasses high, I realize these are the moments I live for, good times with great friends.
Our group remains speechless for what feels like minutes, throwing back our drinks and taking in Walsh’s words of wisdom until it’s broken by a tipsy Shelby.
“Travis and Merrick need to be bejeweled.”
Both guys look around the kitchen questionably, Travis is mid sip as he studies all the glittery jewels.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Merrick asks, but I know he can see the assortment of artwork displayed on everyone.
“Don’t ask!” Tyler replies, rolling his eyes.
“I wouldn’t know what to put on them,” Dani shrugs, throwing back the last of the champagne in her glass.
“Letti’s hole is my goal,” Walsh shouts, leaning against the kitchen island, while everyone bursts out laughing. “I think I’ve had too many shots.” He stares at his empty shot glass and mumbles to himself.
“Is that going on my forehead?” Merrick jokes as Christian hands him another shot.
