Chapter 11
Roman
Growing up in the mafia, we had family dinners and parties all the time.
People would dress in their finest and we would have caterers to make anything our heart desired before waitresses delivered it to us on silver platters.
The men would have guns hidden under their suits and the women would be laughing in the corner while getting drunk on the world’s most expensive champagne.
Needless to say, a weekend cookout in Wylder’s backyard is not what I’m used to.
Wylder is by the grill cooking food for everyone with Eve by his side, placing it all on metal pans when it’s done.
Viv is over by Wylder’s shed, hooking her phone up to the speakers and talking to not only her boyfriend, Deric, but their girlfriend Tara as well.
Sawyer, Eve and Vivianne’s boss, is here with his wife and their daughter, and Wylder’s parents just walked through the back doors with arms filled with dessert platters.
Everyone is pitching in – including me.
Eve has put me in charge of setting up the tables and chairs and…I don’t think I’m doing this right. It’s definitely lopsided.
Viv’s girlfriend Tara walks over with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face. “Need help?”
I look down at the red and black checkered tablecloth and give her a nod. “Please. I’ve got two more of these to do and the wind is about to make me lose my mind.”
She laughs and holds up a finger, “I’ll be right back.”
I fight with the tablecloth while she’s gone, groaning as the wind tries to carry it away and muttering to myself, “Why do we need tablecloths anyway?”
“Reinforcements have arrived.”
I turn to see Tara approaching with a role of clear duct tape in her hand. “I’ll put it where it needs to go, and you tape the sides underneath the table.”
I take the tape from her as she walks to the edge of the table I’ve been fighting with for the last ten minutes. “You just happen to know where golden boy over there keeps his duct tape?”
She folds the tablecloth over the corner, and I rip a piece of tape off, taping the corner underneath the edge.
“Yeah. We usually have one of these a month and every other one has been at Wylder’s for the last two years, so we all became friends pretty quick.”
I nod and follow her over to the next side, placing a piece of tape every few inches or so. “How long have you been with Viv and Deric?”
She smiles as we finish up the first table and move on to the second. “Almost three years. They were together for a year before I came into the picture, though.”
My eyes travel over to where Eve stands with Wylder’s arm around her hip, laughing at something Sawyer said to the both of them.
I must have been staring for longer than I thought, because Tara’s voice comes from a lot closer than I remember. “I think you two could work it out.”
I shoot my eyes over to hers, seeing a twinkle shining back at me. “Work what out?”
She nods her head toward Wylder and Eve.
“With them. Wylder’s said before that he wouldn’t share but I think he would for Eve.
Hell, he’s stuck around this long, and she hasn’t even let him put a label on it.
” She gives a nonchalant shrug, “I’d say he’s whipped.
If she wants you, too, then he would deal with it. ”
I give a soft hum at her words. I had said something similar to him just yesterday before we left for the races. My Little Moth about gave me a heart attack at the speed she was pushing Atlas’ old Maserati before she crossed the finish line before anyone else had even made it around the last bend.
“We’ll see. Things are more complicated than just me and Wylder, though.”
Wylder calls out that the food is done and Tara elbows me in the side, “Let’s finish these tables.”
It’s a good hour past dark and we’ve moved over to Eve’s backyard to use her firepit now that the weather is a little cooler. Sawyer left with his family a few hours ago to go to another event and Wylder’s parents, David and Brenda, just left.
So, naturally, it’s time someone broke out the booze. That someone being Eve’s spitfire of a best friend that I’ve learned has no filter and is sharper than a freshly cut blade. “Okay, who’s down to play a drinking game?”
Groans sound from around the fire, but I shrug. It’s been years since I was able to play a stress-free drinking game, and this is a good way to get to know the people I’ve been thrown into life with.
“I’m down.”
Eve’s eyes meet mine from across the fire, the flames unable to warm the cold steel in her gaze. “Me, too.”
A round of reluctant agreement goes up from everyone else causing Viv to cheer. “Yes! Okay, does everyone know the rules for Never Have I Ever?”
We all nod and she grins. “Good, I’ll start.” She opens the top on the vodka and walks around the circle, making everyone pour out whatever they were drinking and filling their cup up with the sharp smelling drink. Hell, I don’t even think it’s flavored vodka.
She plops back down on her light blue lawn chair and looks around until her eyes land on Eve, “Never have I ever had a baby.”
Eve laughs and takes a sip of her drink. “Oh, we’re doing cheap shots, are we?”
Viv shrugs and looks to Deric sitting next to her, “You’re turn.”
He hums before smirking, his brown hair looking gold in the fire. “Never have I ever given a blow job.”
All the girls groan and take a sip, and I lift my cup to take a small sip as well. Tara’s eyes catch on the movement and widen. “What? You’re bi?”
All eyes swing to me as I shrug. “I’ve never put a label on my sexuality, but I’ve sucked a dick or two when the mood hit me.”
I hear Tara and Viv laugh in excitement, but my eyes find Eve, her gaze full of interest and careful consideration.
Her eyes dart over to Wylder sitting next to her and my eyes follow.
The golden boy sits with his back rigid, looking between Eve and I with a fire in his eyes that matches the one burning in the pit between us.
I can’t tell if it’s because of what I said or because of Eve’s interest in the statement.
Tara’s voice breaks through the intense stare down. “Never have I ever…” She hums as she thinks for a moment, tapping a single finger against her cup. “Oh! Never have I ever been in a fight.”
Everyone in the circle drinks besides her, even Viv and Eve. Once again, I find myself wondering just how dark my Little Moth is inside that cocoon of hers.
It’s finally my turn, and I can’t help but make a dig at Eve. “Never have I ever kissed two people in the same night.”
Deric, Tara, and Viv all drink immediately, but I see the hesitation in Eve’s. Is she going to lie? What will I do if she does?
It takes a moment but eventually, her drink comes up to her mouth and she takes a large swig before bringing it back down.
Wylder looks over at her from the corner of his eye before clearing his throat, “Never have I ever woke up naked at the aquarium.”
Deric groans and takes a drink, shaking his head as he brings his cup down. “One time man, in college.”
Tara hides her snort behind her hand, “I totally forgot about that story. How did you even – “
“Never have I ever killed someone.”
Eve’s voice is as cold as her eyes when I look over at her, her stare shooting straight through my soul. I can’t tell if she’s asking because of the case…or because she knows something she shouldn’t.
“Damn girl, way to ruin the vibe.” Tara snorts and keeps talking to Deric about his time in the aquarium, but I watch as Wylder takes a large drink from his cup, his eyes daring me to do the same.
I look back at her. Eve. The little moth who sits on the other side of the fire because she knows if she got too close, she would love nothing more than to fall into my darkness.
My hand raises my cup to my lips and I take a sip, lowering it just in time to see her finishing off her drink, and tossing her cup into the fire.