Chapter 4 #3
“Now we’re talking!” Luke lets out an enthusiastic laugh as he rubs his hands together.
“So rules for the new girl, if you won’t answer a truth, you do a line.
You fail to complete a dare, you take a shot of this.
” He reaches over the side of his bed, pulling a bottle of Jager into my line of sight.
My stomach instantly gets queasy as I take in the musty green glass.
You should’ve just taken Saint’s side, even if he was being a dick, I think to myself as I attempt to hold back a gag.
Jager was one of dad’s favorites before I had left.
The smell alone can bring vomit up from my stomach if I’m not careful.
Nonetheless, I nod my head in agreement, turning to look at Abby.
Her joy is so evident, splayed across her tipsy smile. I just want to be a good friend.
As if she can sense me, she turns to look at me, stretching out her pinky to take mine in hers.
“I still pinky promise, bestie.” She winks at me as the last word rolls off her tongue.
My heart swells as I take her in. Her kindness is rare, one I’m grateful to be able to experience.
While I might be terrified, at least I have someone here I can trust.
“So who’s up first?” Jackson asks, practically bouncing on the bed with a cheeky grin. He looks between all of us as if he’s waiting for someone to raise their hand.
“Let’s let the new girl be lucky number one,” Saint spits out. “An initiation of sorts.” All eight eyes turn to stare at me. I internally curse Saint, now having more anger at his existence than curiosity as to what had changed in him.
“Fine.” The tip of my thumb swirls against the rim of the empty bottle still in my lap. The cool glass keeps me grounded as I try to stay calm. “Luke, truth or dare?”
He turns to look at me and I swear his darker eye turns into a black hole. One that could suck me in if I’m not careful. Luke grins his wicked smile at me before responding. “Dare.”
Taking a look around the polished room I barely think before responding with, “mess this place up. It’s too clean.
Luke feigns hurt, pulling his lips down to a frown and placing a hand over his heart. “You wound me.” I can’t help but crack a smile as I watch him chuck the pillows from the bed onto the floor, purposefully hitting Saint with the last one.
Over the next hour truths, dares, and shots circle around the room.
Thankfully the group seems to be taking it easy on me, and I haven’t had to consume or snort anything.
Even Saint seems to be enjoying his time now, laughing alone at the more ridiculous dares, like when Luke had dared him to moon the people in the front from the bedroom window.
He hadn’t done it, but his laugh was buttery smooth as he poured his shot.
“Novaaaaaaaa,” Abby sings out, clearly wasted. “Truth or dare, babe?”
Laughter bellows out of me as I watch her with contentment. Maybe we really can be close.
“Dare.”
“I dare you,” she starts up, pointing a finger at me, “to kiss Jackson.” Abruptly her finger swings over to him. A rose color fills up his cheeks as he stares wide eyed at Abigail. She softly wiggles her eyebrows at him before looking back over to me. “Or you can take a shot, up to you.”
I glance over at Jackson, who looks like he’s about to burst from nervousness. “Can I kiss you?” I ask, thanking the party gods for getting me intoxicated enough to have some courage.
He gives me a soft nod before scrambling out of the bed and over to the couch, taking a seat next to me.
When his warm irises land on mine, butterflies swirl around in my stomach.
With both of us blushing so hard, I’m sure to the others we look like elementary kids.
Our nervousness over a simple kiss carries such a childlike softness to it.
He reaches up, but before he touches me he pauses. “May I?” Now it’s my turn to give out a sheepish nod.
His gentle touch grazes softly over my cheek bone before he pulls me in.
Instantly my senses are overloaded by the smell of mint and cigarettes.
His soft lips caress mine before he applies more pressure into the kiss.
I melt into a damn puddle in this man’s hands.
Opening my mouth, I allow his pleading tongue access inside.
Together our muscles dance around each other, taking their time exploring.
My hands find their way wrapped around his neck, pushing it lightly to make him tilt his head.
When he does, our kiss deepens and I can feel the arousal begin to build up inside me.
I haven’t kissed anyone in years. Not since- No.
I bite down on Jackson’s lip, making him groan out with pleasure.
It’s just enough to bring me back into the moment.
Before I can get too hot and bothered I pull away, leaving his lips swollen and both of us flushed.
Luke lets out a whistle, “that was hot!” He claps his hands together, followed by a chuckle. “How was that, Jackson?”
Jackson’s eyes continue to linger on me as he responds to Luke, “fucking perfect.”
His words have pride blooming in my chest. I half expect him to get up and return to his spot on the bed, but when he doesn’t leave my side I’m left pleasantly surprised.
Jackson’s body heat radiates off of him, leaving me feeling oddly comfortable.
I work myself up and make the first move, sliding on the couch until I’m pushed up against his shoulder.
The corner of his lips tip up before he wraps an arm around me, pulling me in closer.
“Alright, my turn,” Saint bites out. The tone in his voice unsettles me as he stares directly at me.
“Nooooo,” Abby slurs out, playfully slapping at Saint’s chest. “It’s Nova’s turn silly.”
Without even glancing down at his girlfriend Saint replies with a stern “No. It’s mine.
” If there was a single moment I had to choose from tonight where I could just disappear, this would be it.
Every worry I’ve been able to overcome, and actually enjoy myself, but with the way Saint is watching me right now, I’m almost positive there’s no chance of coming out unscathed.
“Nova, truth or dare?”
I swallow a nervous gulp, spending a moment to think this through. Whether I like it or not, Saint is the only one here who really knows anything about me. Am I ready for any secrets to be divulged? I’m sure as fuck not going to do cocaine.
“Dare.”
Pure hatred flickers through his bright blue irises. He runs a hand through his inky black hair, the tension in his jaw evident. “I dare you to go home.”
“Dude! What the fuck?” Jackson snaps at Saint. Abby pulls herself off of him, turning around to look at him with disgust. The only person who doesn’t seem mad is Luke. Instead he nods, and begins filling up a shot glass for me.
“Do you want this?” He questions, outstretching the drink for me to take. Tears swell up in my eyes as I look back to Saint. He seems entirely unaffected by everyone's anger, and continues to just stare at me.
“She won’t drink that,” He states. “Daddy made sure of that, didn’t he?”
And just like that, the tears begin to fall from my eyes. I sit there a moment, looking back at the man who was once my best friend, my only friend, before I take the shot from Luke.
“Fuck you,” I spit out before downing the shot.
Immediately I gag, desperate to get the taste off of my tongue.
I must look like a mess, tears streaking down my foundation, spit clinging to my chin from my attempt to not throw up.
Yet the look of surprise and annoyance that graces Saint’s face makes it all worth it.
“That wasn’t cool, man,” Jackson mumbles to Saint as he helps me to my feet.
Abby joins us, standing with more stability than I had expected.
The three of us head to the door, Abigail makes a show of slamming it as Saint tries to say something.
Guilt would be eating me alive at causing a rift between the group if I wasn’t so focused on not staining the carpet with my bodily fluids.
Jackson pulls us into the kitchen, swinging the fridge open before supplying me with a soda. I swiftly wash the horrid taste from my mouth, downing half of the can in the process. “Thank you. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for!” Abby starts up. She hops onto the counter, sitting with her legs crossed on top. “Saint’s been on one the past week, I’m not sure why.”
She shrugs her shoulders and I watch in amazement as the drunk girl from upstairs has seemingly disappeared. “How are you still standing?” I ask out of pure shock.
Her and Jackson both let out a soft laugh before she responds, “It’s the coke, Nova.
I took a line while Saint was having a one-man dick sizing contest.” My eyes widen at her statement.
Although I’ve been surrounded by drunks my entire life, I’ve never actually been around narcotics.
It’s like a whole new world, one I’m not sure I want to be a part of.
“But I wouldn’t mind feeling fucked up again,” she starts off, a spark of amusement flickering in her eyes. “You guys want to get fucked up with me this time?”
“I’m in. Especially after that.” Jackson reaches back into the fridge pulling out some hard lemonade. “Do you want one, Nova?”
“Sure,” I answer, deciding to not let the asshole upstairs ruin the night. “Let’s do it.”