“Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they would wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.” — Isabella Linton.
The suffocating car ride was over in another painful two hours which passed in utter silence. It was better to not converse with him at all, than to end up fighting and not reaching our destination, disappointing both the swim team and Jeremy. And now here we were, sitting on a couch in Jeremy's drawing room, sipping beer.
“What about heading to the club, guys? After that we can come and play games which happens to be a ritual?” Adrian suggested in a cheerful tone, spreading his arms out on the couch facing the one me, Jeremy and Cole were seating on.
“I'm chickening out of this one. I'm already dog tired.” Tiredly I replied, cracking open another can of the six pack beer which was placed on the wooden table. I had already finished two. It was never enough booze.
“Dude, you better not bail out of the game, then. It’s a ritual as Adrian so wisely said.” Cole's innocent enthusiasm was infectious while I looked at Jer, who gave a shrug in return. What kind of game would that be?
“Can you elaborate the game?” I raised the can to my lips, parting them slightly as the bitter liquid flowed down my throat, leaving behind a slight burning sensation and I stuck out my tongue, licking the remnant drops on my upper lip.
“You will know.” Came the bold reply, in a somewhat arrogant tone and I glanced at the speaker who was lounged over the other sofa along with Adrian. I never pegged him as the game kind of guy. Rolling my eyes, I decided not to pay heed to his comment.
“Go easy on the guy, Alex. He’s new. I'll tell you what the game is about. It’s basically simple. We six people are going to sit together as one of us spin the bottle whose mouth will point at someone’s direction who will need to answer a question asked by the person who did spin the bottle, truthfully.”
I perked up at his answer, “So it’s truth and dare? You could've told that before.”
“Nah, that’s where the twist comes in. The person may refuse to answer the question but at one cost. Which will be, a bold dare given by the person who asked the question. If they can't do it, they'd have to throw a party at their house once we return back to the city. And if they can complete it, the person who asked the question throws the party.” Cole beamed at us perhaps because he explained it so neatly, while Adrian wiggled his eyebrows.
“You in, Toby?” Jeremy questioned, and I gulped down the remaining alcohol in my can, slamming it on the wooden table.
“Count me in.” Alexander's persistent and unmistakable was on my person for the whole time, while he lazily sipped his beer from the aluminum can, legs spread out in a resting position. Soft red sunlight came in through the blinds, cutting harsh slashes at irregular angles across his sharp masculine features which enhanced his beauty.
—
The three boys went out clubbing and promised to be back before 10, when I and Jeremy bid them goodbye, telling them to have fun. We were left all alone, and I felt the other guy studying me by the corner of his eye, hiding a blush.
“Maybe, we could…” He had to say no more, but he trailed off before he could complete the sentence, anxiously glancing at the door, worried that one of them might come back in.
“Surely we could. I brought condoms.” I smirked at him, as he went on his tip toes, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. Uh, that was kind of romantic, but however I didn’t have the heart to tell him not to do that.
“We should be quick then. I'd have suggested us to sleep together at night, but I have no idea as to why Alexander told me to put you in with him considering that you both aren't exactly on good terms. But you see, I can't disobey him. I would've let you know earlier, but I didn’t want to spoil your mood. He’s… very domineering but he is good at heart, I believe.”
“Fuck what you believe, Jeremy. That guy is an assholes if not anything worse. Now, let’s not worry about him and head to bed.”