34. Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Tyler
" R ed ball, corner pocket," Brian says as he lines up his pool cue and shoots. "Yes!" He pumps his fist in the air, then leans over the table again to knock the eight-ball in. It's an easy shot which he sinks quickly. He's beat me yet again.
"Considering you get to practice here all the time, I can't be too mad." I put my cue back in the rack on the wall. "I'll beat you again one of these days."
Brian is pulling all the balls out of the pockets and I help him. He laughs. "I don't remember you ever beating me, buddy."
He loves to yank my chain. "Dude, you know I've beat you. Several times." I clear out the last pocket. "It's just been a while."
"I'm just messing, man." Brian grabs the triangular rack off a hook underneath the table and starts arranging the balls inside. "Isn't it nice to have off from games, even if just a little while?"
I nod. "Yeah, but we'll be back at it next month. We're lucky we're already conditioned from football."
"Seriously. I'm glad Coach K is going easy on us, especially after a long football season."
"I'm excited to get back at it. Coach thinks we'll get some visits from scouts this year."
The basement door that leads to the back yard opens. "The party's here!" Sara says as she holds up a pack of Zima's and smiles from ear to ear. I don't know how she and the girls drink that stuff. They even drop Jolly Ranchers in them to make them taste better. Trailing behind Sara are Ramsey and Kara, two popular girls who are also nice, so I'm glad Sara's been hanging out with them versus some of the snobbier girls.
There's not a ton to do in Dunwoody, especially in winter, so we usually hang out at someone's house. When it's warm, there are tons of places to hangout outside, but not in January. Brian's basement has become somewhat of our winter hangout. His parents are cool, but we also have to be careful and responsible. They're out of town this weekend so, Brian has invited a few more people than usual. I know I'm spending the night, but Sara has started getting drunk at these parties and I have to look out for her. I can't tell if she's just having fun or trying to fit in with the other girls. Either way, I've definitely seen a change in her since we started dating.
I walk toward her. "Hey." She stands on her toes and gives me a quick kiss. "Want one?" She holds up the girly malt beverage.
"No, thanks," I laugh. Zima is a hot new drink, but I think it tastes like crap. Most of the girls seem to have made the switch from wine coolers to these things, but I'll stick with beer.
Sara takes a Zima out of the cardboard box and opens it, taking a sip. She digs in her pocket and fishes out a green apple Jolly Rancher, takes off the plastic wrapper and drops it into the clear beverage. "There." She grins at me and makes me smile and shake my head.
Brian has grabbed his camcorder and is videoing everyone as the door opens again. "What's up!" Adam, Max, and Josh make their entrance with Amber and Lori bringing up the rear. Those two being of the snobby, not-so-nice variety popular girls.
"Hey!" Sara practically squeals, shoving her drink box into my chest. She turns her attention away from me and toward them. Her eyes are bright with excitement as she bounds over to two of the most popular girls in our grade.
Behind them are Travis, Andre, and Tim. Those boys and I have a good time together. We just click and cut up together. I'm happy to see them because I don't think Sara is going to be hanging with me as much as I'd like.
It's a pretty typical night in Brian's basement. Brian's music is playing through the stereo, right now "Remedy" by The Black Crows fills the air, and Goodfellas is on the TV in the background. Brian's parents have HBO, so there's always a movie on when we aren't watching MTV. Once midnight rolls around, I know Brian will be cool with me switching the TV to MTV so we can watch Headbanger's Ball. Travis, Andre, Josh, and Tim are playing pool while everyone else is lounging on the sofas and surrounding floor.
Amber hops up from her seat in the middle of the sofa. "Let's play a game!"
I groan to myself because I'd rather be chilling with a few people than have a whole crowd in here, let alone, be forced to play a game. I glance at the pool table, thinking about joining them instead, but I've got my arm around my girl and really want to spend time with her.
"Yes! What do you want to play?" Sara takes a long sip of her drink and is all too eager to join Amber in whatever she suggests.
Amber's eyes glisten with an almost evil gleam. "Truth or Dare."
"Oh my gosh, yes!" Sara says as she sits up in her seat.
"I'll sit this one out," I say as I begin to stand up. I know how this game goes and I don't want to play.
"Oh, no you don't!" Sara says and pulls me back down by my arm.
"Everyone in the circle has to play." Amber acts like she's the queen of Brian's basement.
Brian's filming again. "You've gotta stay man, this'll be fun."
I look around me, really wishing I had gotten up to play pool a minute ago. Sara's on my right, Amber's next to her, then there's Max, Brian, Ramsey, Kara, Adam, and finally, Lori's on my left. I thought Amber would start with me since I wanted out of the game, but I think she's drawn to the camera in Brian's hand.
"Brian," she purrs. "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare."
Amber smirks. "Try to lick your elbow."
Brian grins and hands the camera to Ramsey. He then proceeds to attempt to make contact with his tongue on his elbow contorting his arm this way and that, making us all laugh. "Sorry Amber, I guess I'm just not flexible enough."
"Shame," Amber says with mock disappointment.
Brian takes his camera back from Ramsey and points it at Amber. "Amber, Truth or Dare?"
"Dare."
Brian looks at the table which is full of empty cups and bowls of snacks. "Eat a snack without using your hands."
"I've got a snack you can eat without using your hands!" Josh hollers from the pool table making most of the group laugh.
"A snack from the table," Brian says over his shoulder to Josh.
Amber grins and surveys her options. Doritos, Chex Mix, potato chips, and Oreos are on the table. Amber kneels beside the table and leans over the bowl of Chex Mix. She sticks out her tongue and it lands on a square pretzel. The pretzel sticks to her tongue and she tries to look seductive as she puts the pretzel in her mouth and starts chewing. When she's finished, she licks her top lip. My stomach turns but Max's mouth is hanging open and Brian looks pleased to have caught that on camera.
I sigh and it must have been louder than I thought because Amber turns to me with a wicked grin. "Your turn, Tyler."
"Dare." I say quickly so I can get this over with.
"Whisper something seductive to the person on your left." She looks proud of herself and I catch her wink at Lori.
"Really, Amber?" I look at Sara and she swats me on the shoulder.
"It's just a game, Tyler," Sara says. "It's okay."
I am not cool with this and even though Sara is acting like she's cool with it, I could feel her stiffen under my arm when Amber gave me my dare. I sigh again and turn to Lori. I lean in and whisper, "Something seductive."
Disappointment washes over her face for the briefest moment, then she stifles a laugh and looks coyly at me. "Tyler, you're going to make me blush."
I huff out a laugh and look at Sara whose smile looks a little less bright than it had when the game started. This is why I hate stuff like this.
"Your turn to ask someone, Tyler," Amber practically sings.
"Uh, okay. I look around the circle. "Max, Truth or Dare?"
"Dare."
"Do one hundred push-ups." I know Max can handle this. He's on the football team and in great shape, so he can manage.
"Dude, no problem." Max hops up and moves to a clear space on the floor, getting down and counting off his push-ups.
"Max, pick someone while you're doing that," Amber demands.
"Okay," Max says between breaths. "Lori, Truth or Dare?"
"Truth," Lori says looking pleased with herself.
"What is something you would do if you knew there were no consequences."
Lori thinks for a moment. "Uh, probably kiss someone who isn't single."
"Lori!" Ramsey chastises.
Lori shrugs. "Well, I have to be honest, don't I?"
"Yeah, but you would know they aren't single and that's just wrong," Kara says.
"Kara," Lori says and there's an edge in her voice.
"What?"
"Truth or Dare?" Wow, the edge in Lori's voice just got sharper.
Kara sighs. "Dare."
"Kiss Tyler," Lori demands. "On the lips."
Before I can even say anything, Kara refuses. "No way. He's with Sara. That's not cool, Lori." Kara gets up and goes over to the pool table.
"Fine," Lori turns toward me and looks past me at Sara. "Sara, kiss Adam."
"Lori, come on," I start but am interrupted by my girlfriend.
"It's okay. It's just a game." Sara slurs a little when she says this. I look down and realize she's already drank three of her Zimas.
I turn to her with my mouth open and feel my eyes go wide. When I look back at Lori, she is whispering something to Adam. I turn back to Sara and say so only she can hear, "You don't have to do this. You don't have to prove anything to her or anyone."
"I know." That's all she says to me before getting up, walking past me, and over to Adam.
Sara leans down to kiss Adam on the cheek and he pulls her onto his lap, kissing square on the mouth. "Hey!" I yell as I stand up. "That's enough. This game is over."
Adam stops kissing Sara, but she stays in his lap, looking too comfortable. I hold out my hand. "Come on, I'll take you home."
Sara looks at Lori, then Amber, then back at me before standing up. "I'm not going anywhere." She plops back down on the sofa next to Amber. "Relax, Tyler, it's just a game."
Anger boils in my veins and I want to punch Adam in the face. Instead, I leave the room and walk upstairs to the kitchen to cool off. I can't believe my girlfriend just did that and acted like it wasn't a big deal. Even worse? I think she did it to impress her friends, or rather, girls who she wants to be her friends. Tipsy or not, she didn't have to do it and I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me.