10. Netflix and So Not Chill #2
Snacking on some of Liam’s leftover smoked turkey, I looked out over the sea of heads crammed into the theater room, realizing I was going to have to sit on the floor.
Before I could make it to the front, River’s tiny voice chirped at me. “Sara, I saved you a seat.”
My gaze swung across the dark room as the projector flickered with previews, and I was simultaneously filled with dread and anticipation when I found her.
She was sitting with her new best friend, Carter, and I realized I couldn’t very well turn down a five-year-old, so I reluctantly headed their way.
“Here.” River patted the crack between the two cushions on the loveseat .
“Why don’t you sit in the middle since you’re smaller?” I suggested, feeling Carter’s gaze on me.
She didn’t bother looking up at me as she continued sorting her collection of candy. “Then I’d have to move all my stuff.” She said simply.
Great, the kid had airtight logic, not to mention, it looked like she’d pillaged every candy dish across the house like she was trick-or-treating.
I avoided the unwrapped chocolates—each with a single bite taken out of them—and reluctantly squeezed in next to Carter.
As I sank into the cushion, I panicked, realizing there were way too many points of contact with his muscled arm, and I quickly attempted to lean forward, but Carter’s calloused fingers slipped around the nape of my neck, halting me. “Stay.” He murmured, “I’ll get it.”
I nodded wordlessly, instantly unable to get my voice to work as he reached out a long arm and grabbed a fuzzy blanket from the basket in front of us.
When he settled back in and tossed the blanket over the two of us—making sure I had enough of it—I could have sworn he shifted even closer.
Either way, there was no avoiding it. There were about a million points of contact between our bodies, and every single one of them made me feel like I was about to combust.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t focus on the movie. Couldn’t even tell you what was on if my life depended on it.
I was finally pulled out of my strange trance when Carter threw his head back and barked a rich, throaty laugh.
I smiled to myself as River looked at Carter for a beat too long and then burst into her own fit of laughter.
She definitely hadn’t caught the adult innuendo her new friend was laughing at, but it was cute all the same.
He kind of felt like my new friend, too. Or at least, we were finding a brand new rhythm today. I dared a glance out of the corner of my eye and nearly jumped out of my skin when Liam suddenly appeared.
The movie flickered against his tanned skin in the darkness. “Sorry, kiddo, you’re gonna have to sit in my lap. All the seats are gone.” River made a pouty face but collected her candy into her pockets before Liam lifted her and settled in next to me—shoving me even further onto Carter.
So I sat there, squished like the cream filling between the broad-shouldered sandwich of my brother and his best friend, while my heart threatened to beat straight through my chest. Carter didn’t seem rattled at all.
Nope, perfectly at ease. He slipped an arm over the back of the couch—to give his shoulders more room because we were so crammed. Right?
Why was I so wound up? I needed to get a grip.
“Stop fidgeting.” Liam elbowed me. “Can’t you get situated?”
I narrowed my eyes and whispered, “River, do you remember what we talked about earlier?”
Her eyes lit up, and she nodded, already scurrying towards the kitchen.
“You’d think she’s never eaten candy before in her life.” Liam brushed the cookie crumbs off his pants with a shake of his head. “What was that all about?”
“Oh, you’ll see.” I hummed, “River’s just making you a little treat.”
Just as I was about to go check on her, River came back, carefully carrying two mugs filled to the brim with mostly marshmallows. Undoubtedly, to hide our little secret. I was impressed, she was a master prankster already.
“Here.” She grunted, giving one mug to Liam and the other to Carter, who only smirked knowingly.
“Thanks, River.” Liam said, still watching the screen, completely oblivious to her standing there, waiting for his reaction. I winked at her while we all waited for an unsuspecting Liam to take the first sip.
Finally, he took a heavy swig and then immediately coughed, nearly spitting it out.
I chuckled as the smaller kids aggressively shushed him. “What’s in this?” Liam raised an amused brow.
Hardly able to contain herself, River twisted back and forth, a naughty grin on her face. “Lots of hot sauce.”
“Oh, that’s very creative.” Liam chuckled, setting his drink down. “I think I need a palate cleanser, though.” Liam loved spicy food, so I knew she must have poured a ton into his mug.
“It’s just a joke. I can make you a real one if you want.” River sprinted off to the kitchen, not waiting for Liam.
I leaned in to whisper to Carter, “Liam has chocolate on his ass.” I breathed, realizing he was right there when I turned my head a moment later.
Carter’s eyes flicked up to look, but he didn’t shift away from me as he chuckled low and deep, the sound vibrating against me.
“Sure does.” His face was a mere breath away from mine, and I swallowed hard before shyly dropping my gaze.
“I’ll just stick with my old-fashioned, I think.
” Carter drummed his fingers on the back of the couch, wisely leaving his hot chocolate untouched.
“Let me guess, that was your sneaky little idea from earlier?”
I shrugged, keeping my voice low. “You did break both of the eggs. Had to pay you back somehow.” I met his gaze again. It was so intense, eyes so warm and focused only on me. I wondered what exactly he was thinking.
“You got me there.” Carter licked his lips, and I studied his split lip before he finally brought his glass to his mouth after what felt like a lifetime. His Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed and then he passed me the glass. “I’ll remind you, you started your little prank before the eggs broke.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, taking the glass from him. “Whiskey?”
He nodded. “Whiskey, bitters, turkey cheer. You know, the essentials.”
I rolled my eyes and took a small sip, testing it out. “I don’t know what I expected, I hate whiskey.” I grimaced as it burned all the way down.
Carter chuckled and sat forward. “Come on, I’ll make you something sweet.
” His fingers wiggled behind him, reaching for me as we weaved through the packed crowd towards the door.
His finger wiggling became more and more aggressive until I finally swatted him, and my stomach flipped when he grabbed on with a rough, calloused hand and didn’t let go. Not until we hit the hallway.
Liam and River passed by, heading back to the movie. “You’ve got chocolate on your ass,” Liam chimed from behind me.
I looked down, my mouth falling open in surprise, and River shot me a guilty look, flashing me a theatrical clenched smile.
“So do you!” I called back to Liam.
“Shit. These are new.” He muttered, twisting to look at the back of his pants.
“Hey, bring me a drink when you come back.” He called over his shoulder, and then I could hear him explaining to River the importance of candy-eating zones using the theory of mise en place as they disappeared back into the theater.
Carter gave me a soft smile and tilted his head, motioning for me to follow him, and as we walked down the quiet hallway towards the bar, I suddenly felt incredibly nervous.