“Nice,” Nick says to Blake before looking at me.
The heat of embarrassment slides up my neck and cheeks. Crap. He’s expecting me to answer now.
“Um, I…” I stumble as I try to think of something to say. I could just say missionary, but would that be believable? That’s so boring, right?
I down another cup of beer. The second I swallow, I start to feel dizzy, and my stomach starts to churn.
Nick laughs. “I admire your refusal to kiss and tell, Briar,” he says good-naturedly.
“Hey. Maybe you should slow down on the beer,” Blake says in a soft voice.
I look up at him. “It’s fine.”
His eyebrows knit in concern. “You sure? Your skin is pretty flushed. That only happens when you’ve been drinking a lot.”
I push my hair out of my face. I’m feeling hot and sweaty all of a sudden.
“I’m okay, Blake. Really.”
“Briar, you take a shot now,” Nick says.
I toss the ball, but because I have zero hand-eye coordination, the ball bounces off the rim of the red solo cup and goes flying off the table.
“Good try,” Nick says.
Leo makes the next shot.
“What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without having sex?” Leo asks.
Blake rolls his eyes. “Six months.”
“Jesus, really? Such a boy scout.”
Blake flips him off. Leo and Nick just laugh. They look at me, waiting for me to answer.
“Um, a couple years,” I say, feeling dizzy from all the beer I’ve chugged in the last few minutes. And from how out of place I feel playing a sex-themed drinking game as a virgin.
“Oh come on, you gotta give us a number,” Nick teases.
It feels like a million tiny, invisible needles are digging into my skin. God, this is so uncomfortable. I’msofucking weird and awkward compared to these guys.
My chest feels tight, and my stomach starts to churn. My head spins. “I…I need air.”
I stumble out of the crowded house and down the porch stairs, almost tripping on the sidewalk because I’m still wearing these sky-high heels.
“Briar, wait.”
Blake’s booming voice follows behind me.
I spin around and see him rushing after me. Worry is etched in his frown as he gazes down at me.
Gently, he grabs my shoulders. “What’s wrong?” His eyes scan my face.
Tears prick my eyes at how embarrassed I am—how I can’t even play a stupid drinking game because I’m painfully awkward and inexperienced.
I sniffle. “Nothing.”
“Briar, please don’t lie. You’re upset. What’s wrong? What happened?” His voice is so gentle and sweet, it makes my chest ache.
