TWENTY GAME NIGHT
TWENTY
GAME NIGHT
I always marvel at Lily’s street. It stretches out, a smooth, tarmacked ribbon flanked by perfectly symmetrical lawns and trees lining the driveways.
Her parents’ four-bedroom home sits in one of the posher neighbourhoods of the city – my mum calls it the Knightsbridge of Sarumbourne.
I don’t think Tariq has ever been in this area before; he’s looking around like it’s his first trip to Disneyland.
Tonight’s combat training with him was rather uneventful, especially compared to last night’s Wretch incident.
The rush of adrenaline, the fear, and the eventual relief still linger.
Tariq wasn’t pleased with us. I chose not to mention Opel’s role in starting it – telekinetically bombarding me with sticks.
Tariq seemed annoyed enough with her for letting the Wretch get so close to me.
Opel handled it, though, and it was a stark reminder to always stay on her good side. I prefer my head attached to my shoulders, thank you very much.
It did give Opel and Tariq the opportunity to show me the incinerator in the Seven Angels’ basement. Apparently, it’s where other-worldly dead things go that don’t disappear on their own accord. What’s worse than the foul smell of a Wretch? The foul smell of a Wretch being incinerated.
The confrontation taught me one thing – I’m not quite ready to face off against a Wretch, or any other demon for that matter.
But tonight’s session did boost my confidence a bit.
I won a best-out-of-three spar with Tariq.
My speed and reflexes finally felt more natural.
So natural that in the second round, Tariq found himself on his back with me on top of him in under twenty seconds.
He was impressed, but things got a tad awkward when my gaze lingered a bit too long on his lips.
He quickly diverted our attention to the next exercise.
As we near Lily’s house, my anxiety rises.
Spending an evening together at Lily’s means more than just a fun-filled games night.
It means keeping our Keeper identities a secret from her and Jack.
They know Tariq and I shared a kiss – my first kiss.
But Tariq doesn’t know I’ve told them, and he hasn’t seemed keen on reliving that experience with me.
I have no idea where his head is at, but he’s still coming along tonight.
I’d like to think that’s because he wants to, and not because he has to.
‘So, about tonight,’ Tariq says.
‘Yeah?’
‘I just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page. You know, about keeping things low-key and… normal.’
‘Right. No Keeper talk. Just two… friends spending a regular evening together.’
‘Exactly.’
I’m not sure if Tariq noticed my purposeful pause on the word ‘friends’, but he chose to ignore it either way.
‘Tariq!’ Lily squeals after opening the front door. She practically throws herself at him, hugging him as if she’s known him for years.
Tariq, caught a bit off guard by the warmth of her greeting, quickly recovers, albeit a tad more reservedly.
‘Nice to meet you, Lily, in person,’ he responds with a chuckle.
There’s a sweet aroma in the air. Lily’s been baking.
‘Glad you could both make it,’ she says with a smile.
Cassie, Lily’s bouncy golden retriever, bursts through the doorway, tail wagging furiously. Tariq’s expression shifts from surprise to mild unease. I try to stifle a laugh.
‘Oh, don’t worry, Cassie’s just a big bundle of energy,’ Lily says. ‘She won’t hurt you.’
Lily closes the door and takes our coats.
Tariq attempts a smile but stays a step back from Cassie. He nudges my shoulder and whispers, ‘You didn’t mention Lily had a dog!’
‘She has a goldfish too, be on your guard.’
He shoots me a look as Cassie sniffs around his shoes.
Lily’s living room is a familiar haven. The cushions and throws that I’ve nestled into during countless movie nights are still there, offering a comforting touch of nostalgia.
‘Make yourselves comfortable,’ Lily says.
Tariq and I exchange glances before settling onto the sofa. Cassie follows, curling up at Tariq’s feet as if she’s already decided he’s her new best friend.
‘Jack should be here soon. I’ve got the usual snacks. Do you guys want a drink?’ Lily says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. There’s a ding in the background. ‘Oh one sec, that’ll be the cupcakes.’
As Lily leaves the room, Tariq casts wary looks at Cassie, who seems perfectly content in her new spot on his feet. I hold back a laugh, but it’s not easy.
‘She won’t bite me, will she?’ he says.
‘Who? Lily?’
‘You’re funny.’
‘You can handle big scary demons from the Crossing but not Cassie, the fluff ball?’ I say, giving her a fuss as she rolls onto her back.
‘I know where I stand with demons: I’m good, they’re bad. Dogs… you never know what they’re thinking.’
I can’t contain my laughter. The situation is just too perfect.
‘I think right now Cassie’s just thinking how much she wants a belly tickle from the new guy.’
Tariq hesitates, his hand drifting slowly toward her. Knowing just how impatient Cassie is, I take his hand and place it on her.
‘Hey!’ Tariq says, but relaxes when Cassie settles at his touch.
‘See, now she’s falling for you.’
Tariq looks at me, smiling. And I melt. How does he do it to me?
His eyes linger on me longer than they probably should.
Lily returns to the living room, and the moment shatters.
‘Okay, we’ve got lemonade, squash, some dodgy mulled apple juice that my mum made recently…’
The front door shuts and Jack strolls into the hallway. Just as he said, he’s accompanied by a bottle of his dad’s vodka.
Lily’s expression tightens. ‘Jack, you know my parents don’t like alcohol in the house.’
‘Relax, they’re not here, right?’ He attempts to take off his jacket without dropping the bottle. ‘Besides, I thought it’d help calm Liam’s nerves about having his boyfriend over.’
‘What?’ Tariq says, quickly.
‘Jack!’ I say.
Jack peers around the door frame. ‘Oh, hey, guys, didn’t realise you were here.’
I give Tariq a nervous smile but luckily I don’t think he’s too fazed by Jack’s assumption.
‘I’ll take some vodka,’ Tariq says.
‘I knew I liked you,’ Jack says, winking.
I never really pegged Tariq as a drinking guy for some reason. He seems too… sensible. Lily seems a bit caught off guard too, but she eventually sighs and shakes her head.
‘Fine,’ she says. ‘But I have an early class tomorrow, I’m not getting wasted.’
Lily is currently in a fit of laughter, with buttercream all over her face.
Tariq and I are not quite on her level, but the current sight is hilarious all the same. Jack, still relatively sober, is attempting to wipe the icing from Lily’s cheeks with a napkin.
We’re halfway through Risk. Lily lost all her countries about fifteen minutes into the game, so she’s been knocking back vodka and lemonades while Jack, Tariq, and I have been scrambling for the win. Although I only have Australia left, which leaves the rest of the board to Mr and Mr Competitive.
Tariq has relaxed a fair bit, which is probably down to the vodka. He and Jack just did double shots because… well I actually don’t know why.
‘Lily, your family big Christmas fans?’ Tariq says, eyeing the boxes of festive decorations waiting to be opened in the corner of the room.
‘That’s putting it lightly,’ Jack scoffs.
‘Lily is like… Mrs Claus, the Christmas Queen,’ I say. ‘The tree will be up this weekend, trust me.’
‘One day I will marry Santa and Mrs Claus I will be,’ Lily says, taking a swig from her short glass of vodka.
We laugh.
As the game progresses, Lily turns her inquisitive attention to Tariq. I can sense a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. ‘So, Tariq, tell me… something you’ve… learned about Liam.’
It’s only been an hour and she’s already slurring her words. I squirm a little in my seat, feeling the heat creeping up my cheeks. Tariq raises an eyebrow.
‘Well, there’s his secret obsession with… biscuits,’ Tariq deadpans, and Lily bursts into laughter.
‘You’ve been hogging Liam all week, what have you guys been up to?’ Lily continues.
I give Tariq the side eye.
‘Just hanging out at mine,’ says Tariq.
Cassie approaches us and rests her head on Tariq’s lap. Despite his initial unease, he seems to be warming up to her, even giving her a cautious head scratch.
‘Where do you live, mate?’ Jack asks.
I quickly look at Tariq, but he doesn’t seem fazed by the question.
‘I rent a room in the city centre, above the Seven Angels bar.’
Jack’s eyes widen. Here we go.
‘Shut up. You live above the best bar in the city.’
‘Jack, you’ve never even been there,’ says Lily.
‘Yeah, but my cousin Darrell has. I told you, they do the best…’
‘Open mic nights,’ Lily and I finish in unison.
Tariq laughs. ‘It is a pretty decent bar, but between us, the Chapel is still a better night out.’
‘Yaaas,’ Lily begins, lightly punching Tariq on the arm. ‘We had our school prom there. I miss dancing. Tariq, do you dance?’
I’m going to go with no.
‘No,’ he says.
Points for me.
‘Jack is always up for dancing,’ I say, staring at Jack.
Jack clears his throat, appearing both hopeful and nervous.
‘Um, yeah, speaking of dancing, the Festive Fling is happening in a few weeks,’ Jack says.
‘Oh, I’m already set for that. Tickets purchased. Dress chosen,’ Lily says, lifting her glass in excitement.
‘You are?’ I say.
Lily furrows her brow. ‘Yeah, Sophia, Amy, and I have plans to go together.’
‘What?’ Jack’s tone betrays his disappointment. ‘You hardly ever hang out with them outside of college.’
He’s taking it personally, and Lily seems puzzled by his reaction.
‘Well, Sophia and I have got close recently,’ Lily says, topping up her glass.
‘She has been a huge help with History Insiders, and she’s loads of fun.
And Amy… well, she’s been going through a tough time lately, especially after coming out as trans to her dad.
We wanted to make sure she had a night away from home where she could truly be herself.
You guys weren’t planning on going, were you? ’
I shake my head.
‘Maybe.’ Jack shrugs.
‘You can join us? I’m sure Sophia and Amy won’t mind. They’re both single.’ Lily winks.
‘I’ll think about it,’ says Jack, half smiling.
He’s disappointed. I know that look on him too well.
‘You guys should come!’ Lily says, turning her attention to Tariq and me.
‘Tariq’s not a student,’ I say, quickly.
‘We could sneak him in. He looks like one of the rugby guys,’ she says, leering just long enough at Tariq to make everyone at the table look uncomfortable.
‘I think I’ll leave the festive flinging to you guys, if you don’t mind,’ Tariq says.
Jack reaches for the vodka bottle but misjudges the distance and it topples and falls from the table. In one swift movement, I catch its base before it hits the laminate floor. I put the bottle back on the table. Everyone is staring at me.
‘Close one,’ I say.
‘Whoa. Quicksilver,’ says Jack.
Lily applauds.
‘Nice moves,’ says Tariq, his stare lingering on me a little longer than the others’.
Cassie gets up from under the table and starts growling lowly toward the corridor.
I tense up.
Tariq stands, his eyes darting around the room.
‘Oh, don’t worry, it’s probably just the neighbours getting home. Cass does this all the time,’ Lily says.
There’s a knock at the door.
Lily moves to go but Tariq swiftly blocks her path.
‘What are you doing?’ she asks, her voice tinged with concern.
‘Wow, a few vodkas and he’s suddenly Bond, James Bond,’ Jack says.
Tariq approaches the front door cautiously, every step calculated.
He finally opens the door, revealing a short, stocky woman holding a large parcel. She looks as though she is about to say something but stops when she clocks Tariq.
‘Maggie!’ Lily pushes past Tariq.
‘Lily, dear. Another package for your parents arrived today,’ she says, her eyes still on Tariq.
‘Thanks, Maggie,’ she says, taking it from her. ‘I promise this will be the last one for a while.’
Maggie makes some sort of grumble before leaving.
Lily closes the door. ‘Do you always open other people’s doors?’ Lily asks Tariq.
‘I… eh…’
‘He was just being cautious, right, Tariq?’ I say, joining them both by the door. ‘It’s late, it’s dark. There are weird people out there.’
Lily looks between us for a moment, then smiles. ‘Wow, hot and protective. Where do I find a guy like you?’
Tariq and I exchange glances as Lily heads to the kitchen.
‘Anyone for more vodka?’ Jack says, shaking the bottle. ‘No? Just me? Okay.’ He pours himself another glass, with a bit less mixer this time.