11. Trivia
TRIVIA
AUbrEY
NOVEMBER
“And how is trivia of all things supposed to cheer me up?” I ask point-blank to Reese as we walk into Melbourne’s bar.
Winter has sunk its claws into the campus, with snowfall quickly reaching double digits. But having lived here our whole lives, Reese and I are more than accustomed to it and ignore the grumbles of the large group we walked in with.
I’m excited to spend some time with Reese, even if that means suffering through trivia to do so.
I haven’t seen much of her this semester, which I know goes against my whole “making the most” of this year slogan.
Between my classes, my clinical hours with the team, and her time tutoring Reid, we only see one another when we cross paths at home.
Which, here of late, seems not often enough.
I know she was bummed when I bailed on June’s Halloween party last weekend, but I wasn’t in the mood to be around anyone wanting to have any ounce of fun. Let alone dress up as a hot nurse or whatever costume June picked out for me.
I told myself it was because I didn’t feel like socializing, but really, I was worried that Liam would be there.
June invited Brennan and Reid—hell, practically the whole college, for that matter—but after our blow-up argument two weekends ago, I’ve been avoiding him like the fucking plague.
Which is hard because the universe clearly has it out for me, as I see him everywhere.
Clinicals. Melbourne’s. Lover’s. He’s like a fucking shadow.
“You’ll have fun. It’s not as lame as it seems,” Reese encourages, pulling my attention back to her. Her long legs cut the distance to the bar, quickly ordering us two beers.
Thankfully, Reese, unlike June or Rory, takes after me when it comes to her taste in alcohol.
The cheaper the better.
We clink our glasses in a way of cheers before we each throw back the liquid. Reese gulps hers down, nearly drinking half the glass in one breath.
I’ve said it before: Reese might act like the innocent one of us four—but that girl can drink us all under the table when she wants.
“How was June’s party?” I ask.
Reese shrugs. I eye her slowly, my gaze anything but subtle. She’s totally hiding something, so I try again, “Who won karaoke?”
June has been throwing her “famous” Halloween party at our condo since her freshman year, and my sophomore one. And each year, there is a prize for the best costume and karaoke performance.
June wins the costume contest every year, so not many people put much thought into it. But winning karaoke—that’s an honor nearly as valuable as the Frozen Four championship that the men’s team hasn’t won since 04’.
“I, uh, I can’t remember.” She admits, clearly uninterested.
My focus zeros in on her. That might work on Rory or June, but it sure as hell isn’t going to work on me.
“Mhm.” I tick. “June seemed to approve of the outfit Reid picked out for you. Must have been something,” I say, trying to get Reese to spill the beans.
“I think you’d better stop making bets with him, you always seem to lose. ”
I chuckle, but she only counters with, “Absolutely not. One day, I will beat him at his own game.”
“Competitive much?”
Reese’s eyes narrow to slits.
No matter how hard I try, she holds her ground, refusing to say anything else regarding Halloween or how tutoring with Reid is going. I’m assuming not well, since she seems to dislike him as much as she did at the start of the year.
Eventually, I wave the white flag of defeat and decide to let it rest. I know what it’s like to want to keep your own secrets, which is hard since my cousins are somehow painfully aware of every move I make.
I clear my thoughts, knowing Reese wanted me to come out tonight to get my mind off of Liam and to spend some time with just me and her, so that is what I plan to do.
“Why couldn’t June come tonight?” I ask as Reese orders two more beers. I haven’t finished my first, but she’s already sipping away on her second.
“She said she was busy,” Reese answers as she subtly looks around the bar.
“Yeah, busy riding Brennan’s—”
“Woah—wait?” Reese exclaims, slamming down her drink. “How do you know that?!” Reese’s face is one of surprise, lips pursed together, her lengthy hair swaying over her shoulders.
She usually wears it up, but tonight she chose to curl it, making her look put together—well, in my opinion, but I’m also in leggings, an oversized sweater, and two days’ worth of unwashed hair. So—I guess I’m not the best judge.
Maybe she looks normal, and I’m just a hot fucking mess.
“Come on, Reese, they aren’t exactly discreet about it,” I add with a heavy sigh. “I think she’s trying to keep it a secret because she’s worried it will upset me,” I explain. “But I’m just more disappointed that she’s actually into him. I mean, he’s not a bad guy, he’s just…”
“Brennan.” We both say in unison, making a face at one another.
“Right?! It’s gross,” Reese remarks after a while, shaking her head back and forth. “I mean, seriously? He’s not even her type!”
We both take a quick drink, letting it all sink in.
After a while, I shrug, considering the possibility that our mutual cousin might actually be interested in someone of his caliber. I mean…he is tall, with radiant caramel skin, beautiful honey eyes, and dark hair.
Alright, maybe I’ll cut her some slack.
But it’s not about Brennan’s pleasing physical characteristics that make me worried—or even his personality, for that matter.
I mean, sure, he is arrogant and flashy, and he sleeps with everyone, literally, and I know that isn’t a bad thing.
I’m just worried he’ll break June’s heart when he finds someone else who catches his attention, other than her.
I confess, “I mean…I guess he is pretty good-looking. Plus hockey players—well, you know—” With a wink, I grin in Reese’s direction.
She considers my words, then clanks her glass against mine. “Touché. But—of all the guys on the team…Brennan?” Reese’s shoulders sag. “I don’t know. I don’t think he’d be my first pick—”
“I mean, if I looked like June, or you,” I say, pointing a finger at her, “I wouldn’t limit myself to just one. I mean hell, I’d sleep with them all!” I take a long swig of my beer.
Suddenly, Reese starts coughing, her chest heaving as she looks behind her.
“Liam…” Reese looks at me, her grey eyes like frosted daggers aimed straight at my face. “Hey—”
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit. I curse repeatedly.
Did he hear that?
I mean, I didn’t mean it literally…I was just saying…I was just…joking.
But fuck, how is he supposed to know that?
What is Liam doing here anyway?
I spin my barstool around, coming face-to-face with him. But he only inclines his head and waves a hand in my direction.
I hide my face in my hands.
“I’m never coming to trivia again.” I whip my head in Reese’s direction. “Wait! Did you know he was going to be here?”
“No,” she exclaims, but I eye her. She looks away, spinning that piece of hair she constantly twirls when she’s nervous. She’s fucking lying to me.
Reese holds up her hands. “Morgan’s been coming since freshman year, but he normally brings Brennan.
I swear I didn’t know.” It still freaks me out that she calls him that.
I’m pretty sure she only started doing it because she knows it pisses him off.
Which, more power to her. I like that she can get under his skin.
“Wait…where’s Brennan then?” I ask, thinking about Reese’s explanation. She and I must have the same thought, because our stares meet as we move from the bar and toward the back of Melbourne’s.
“Don’t you think it’s odd that the same night June is too busy with homework…also happens to be the night that Brennan can’t make it either?” I suggest, my mouth gaping.
“Those little horn—” Reese starts, but her joke is cut off as a small woman walks to the podium.
“Hey, everyone!” she calls. “Welcome to our first trivia night of the year!”
The bar erupts in claps and shouts, and the pair of us quickly look to take a seat. Of course, because it’s just my luck, the only table open is the one right in front of where Reid and Liam are seated.
“The Hearteater and the Highlighter…you two make quite the pair,” a voice whispers from behind us.
We turn around, ignoring Reid’s jest with no more than just looks. I smile awkwardly in Liam’s direction, but he outright ignores me.
I know he really doesn’t hate me, that he isn’t truly sorry for falling in love with me. He’s a terrible liar.
“So what’s the topic?” I whisper to Reese, ready for a distraction from my own thoughts.
“The subject changes each time,” she answers as I look around. It’s actually way more crowded than I expected it to be; Melbourne’s nearly as full as pong nights on Tuesdays.
As the tester round begins, the host hands out remotes to each table.
Reese gives me the rundown on how you’re supposed to buzz in when you know the answer.
The team with the fastest response will be allowed to answer the multiple-choice question.
If the team gets it right, you gain five points; if you get it wrong, you lose six points, and another team has a chance to steal.
Seems pretty simple.
As Reese finishes explaining, her voice low enough I know damn well isn’t causing any distraction, but that doesn’t keep Reid from saying: “Could you be quiet? Some of us are trying to focus,” he whispers, clearly eyeing Reese.
She spins around, a whirlwind of blonde hair. “Oh, why don’t you just sleep with the host again? Since that seems to be the only way you can beat me.”
“Oh, that’s bullshit, and you know it!” Reid fires back. They continue bickering. I glance at Liam, who rolls his eyes.
“God, this is going to be a long night—” He shakes his head. “I never realized how crazy competitive both of them are.”
The host announces the topic, and that’s the only thing that finally shuts the pair of them up.