Chapter 21 Manipulated by my infuriating stepbrother
Stephanie
“One… two… three… Go!!!”
JJ and Brooklyn picked up the mugs of alcohol and chugged down the content while Cisco and I cheered them on.
I clapped hard, screaming on top of my lungs as Brooklyn slammed down the empty mug first and jumped up. I rushed to hug her and we both cheered. JJ finished his drink few seconds after, scowling at the both of us.
“You cheated. There's no way you finished that whole mug before me.” JJ scoffed, his long blonde hair matted to his forehead with sweat.
Brooklyn stuck out her tongue while I laughed.
“Don't be a sore loser, JJ. Learn to accept defeat.” Cisco said as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend.
JJ gasped in mock horror. “Francisco Ramon, you did not just switch teams on me.”
“Of course, I didn't. Why would I? You know I always side with the winning team. That's unfortunately not you, buddy.” Cisco shrugged while JJ looked like he was going to have a heart attack.
Brooklyn and I laughed so hard that my stomach began to hurt. I was so glad that I decided to come here tonight. For the first time in a very long time, I was actually having fun. I was surrounded by friends that didn't abandon me the second we got here, friends that weren't ashamed to be seen with me.
It felt like I could actually be happy.
“Oh come on, you just can't accept that I am the best when it comes to drinking games.” Brooklyn laughed.
“That's impossible. You can't be the best ‘cause I am. Let's go again.”
“Why would I want to? I already won.” Brooke shrugged.
“Facts.” Cisco echoed.
JJ scowled at Cisco. “Don't you dare talk to me, you betrayer.” he scoffed and dragged his gaze to me. “Would you like to try, pretty lady?” he grinned, his dimples making an appearance.
The guy was absolutely gorgeous and he knows how to work his way with a girl. Unlike my annoying stepbrother, his personality is actually likeable. He wasn't arrogant despite his good looks, he was a charming flirt.
“Nah, I'm good. I already drank a lot tonight.” I smiled.
“She'll play against me.” I sucked in a breath as I heard the deep, infuriating voice behind me. Kendrix stepped in front of me, a taunting smirk on his face. I immediately noticed the absence of a particular blonde beside him.
“I can't believe Sophie let go of you for more than a second. Figured you'd be putting on a show for everyone like you used to do. The captain and the cheerleader.” Brooklyn snickered.
Wow! She really didn't like the girl.
I was more curious about ‘the show’ she was talking about when Cisco and JJ laughed too.
“Thank you for that horrible remainder.” Kendrix grimaced. “I managed to get away from her when she got distracted with the rest of the team. I don't think she'll come looking for me any time soon.”
“What show are you talking about?” I asked.
Kendrix visibly cringed. “It was nothing—”
“It was hilarious.” JJ interrupted with a laughter. “So there was this party last year, Ken and Sophie were still crazily in love—”
“We were never in love.” Kendrix groaned.
“Whatever.” JJ rolled his eyes. “At the party, they both got so drunk and started making out on the dance floor. Now, I know you're thinking it's just a regular make out, it's not. They were literally stripping in the middle of the party because they were both ‘gorgeous people who didn't need to cover their bodies’. I saved Ken before he could flash his dick in front of the entire school.”
“You didn't save me.” Kendrix scoffed. “And I think you're exaggerating the situation.”
“Exaggerating? The both of you were the hottest topic at school for a whole month. Principal Givens had to threaten students with detention if they didn't stop talking about it.” Brooklyn snorted.
“And we should stop talking about it. You will not be witnessing any ‘show’ from me again. Now, who am I playing against?”
JJ pointed at me. I glared at him while he gave me that sheepish smile. The music had gotten louder and some people were on the dance floor.
“I think I'll go dance instead. You guys coming?” I asked.
Before anyone could respond, Kendrix took a step towards me as if he wasn't already close enough.
I swear, the guy has no idea what respecting someone's personal space is.
“So you wanna chicken out? You scared of losing against me, Princess?” he smirked.
And there he was, trying to trigger my competitive side again. I wasn't confident that I wouldn't fall for it.
“Losing against you?” I scoffed. “Do I need to remind you what happened the last time you challenged me?”
“What happened last time?” Brooklyn asked.
“Long story. I'll tell you later.”
Kendrix smirk didn't falter. “You won against me one time. I guarantee you won't win again this time.”
“Okay then. It's on. If I win, I get to ask for anything I want.” I crossed my arms, my brows sightly arched. That had to put him off.
But instead, he shrugged. “And if I win, you have to dance with me.”
I blinked at his strange request. I expected him to ask something outrageous, but his request was more unsettling than I thought. The thought of dancing with him, standing in such close proximity, it made me want to barf.
“Let's do this shit.”
A small group of students had gathered to watch us now, but they weren't close enough to eavesdrop.
Brooklyn and JJ vacated the stools they were sitting on, Kendrix and I filled their spots. JJ did the honor of filling our mugs with another of Colin's liquor.
Where the host was exactly, I didn't know. I hadn't met any of the football team aside from Kendrix, Cisco, and JJ. I wasn't exactly willing to. In my old school, boys on the football team weren't usually nice to nerds like me.
“One grand says Steph makes Ken eats his words.” Brooklyn said.
“You're always winning, Cap. It'll be nice to see someone put you on your ass one day. One grand for Steph.” Cisco agreed.
“Well, you're both betrayers. I can't let my Kenny boy go without anyone placing a bet on him. It'll ruin his ego. So I'll be betting on Kenny.” JJ muttered.
Kendrix eyes flared sightly. “Seriously, don't call me that.”
JJ ignored him and began the countdown. As soon as he says ‘go’, I raised my mugs to my lips and began chugging down the liquid. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Kendrix doing the same.
I squeezed my eyes shut and tried not to think of the burn as I forced myself to gobble down the liquor. I had already drank so much tonight, this was a terrible idea. It was a nightmare.
Finally, I was done. I slammed the mug down, snapping my eyes opened and realized with horror that Kendrix already finished his drink. Brooklyn looked resigned while JJ looked smug as hell.
“Well, you just lost two grands. Pay up, betrayers!” JJ pointed at Cisco and Brooklyn. The three of them began arguing at the mortality of the situation, not paying attention to us anymore.
My eyes locked with Kendrix’. Those gray eyes gleamed with amusement and mischief, but there was a hint of desire in them too.
Wait…desire?
Nah, that couldn't be right. I was just drunk. Stupidly drunk and pissed off at being manipulated again.
Kendrix leaned forward, his breath gently brushing my ear. The scent of alcohol and something uniquely his hit my nostrils. I blamed the alcohol as I subtly leaned closer, taking in a breath full of his scent.
“Seems like you owe me a dance, Princess?” he whispered in that deep voice of his that didn't help the heat creeping up my cheeks. “Let's get to the dance floor, yeah?”
I sighed heavily.
I had been manipulated and I had no one else to blame but me.
Unless…I smirked as the idea slowly began forming in my head.
Oh, he'll dance with me all right, but he sure as shit wasn't going to enjoy it.
“Let's.” I answered.