Chapter 10: Game night

NOVA'S POV

When the yacht docks Riley catches up with me with a knowing look. My eye lids now half draped from the alcohol,  but even then my composure could promise sobriety.

"Leaving already? The party hasn't even started,"she says caressing my arm.

"I need to go home and change,"

"I'll drive you,"she offers but even she is out of it from the physical touches. The rest of the group join getting out of the boat with Delia yanking her bestfriend's hand from my arm.

"You didn't agree to the dare the dare, Nova. You know the consequences," Delia says with the rest of the group eager to hear what my answer is.

"Have i ever backed out on a dare?" I ask and they all hype the response or maybe using it an excuse to continue drinking.

I called my cousin to come drive me to the apartment a few minutes ago so I watch the group leave in their respective chauffeured cars. If this was the life I'd be missing if I ever stopped then I'm ready to make my exit.

I settle in my parked car trying to process what I just agreed to. Sofia is someone I can't afford to hurt. What if i make her condition worse? The driver's door opens with Luca getting in and adjusting the seat.

"You went on a fucking day drinking spree?" He scolds, hand stretched out for the keys and I hand them to him.

"Don't act surprised. That used to be your scene," I remind him.

Did he forget? How his ex girlfriend fueled his drug addiction? His mother pampered him with advice but her brother, my dad, put him in rehab. He always treated Luca like the son he wished he had. I never complained or felt left out. His focus on me had shifted and for that I'm grateful.

He makes a stop, but i don't bother to open my eyes. All I hear is him getting back inside.

"Here, drink this," he says sternly.

I take the chilled water from his hand sitting up to drink it. I hated him seeing me like this, but he always scolded me for not calling him if I was ever stuck.

"The girls are having a game night,"

"Don't worry, I'll be in my room,"

"That's not what I meant, Nova. Could you maybe try other hobbies other than partying?"

"If it was that easy I would Luca, "I say and he just scoffs. I meant it. Realising that the only time my father doesn't keep tabs on me is when I'm out partying and being shallow, made it easy for me to adapt to it.

He didn't care, as long as I wasn't dating or dreaming of a different future.

Not acceptable for his image.

He parks outside the apartment getting out and I do them same feeling steadier than before but still intoxicated.

"Behave Nova," he instructs.

I always behave.

When the door to the apartment opens Mila rushes to the door jumping into his arms and I just roll my eyes at the gesture. I get into the apartment fully noticing Paolo and guy on the couch but no Sofia. Why am I searching for her?

"Margaritas are ready!"

Sofia appears from the open kitchen placing the margaritas on the table. Is she serious? She's not supposed to be drinking right now.

"I walk past my cousin and Mila into the living room taking a seat. I'll just drink hers. I told her to say no to things she doesn't want to do but in this case, she can't.

"Nova is think you've had enough for the night,"

Luca rests his hand on my shoulder but I'm okay where I am.

"Well there's five of you and only even numbers can pair," I say.

"She does have a point. And it would be less awkward since Mila and I are the only ones with boyfriends," Paolo adds in, and I think he has an amazing point.

"So let's play another game now that the number is even," Mila says surprising her bestfriend.

She hates the idea of us.

The board games are pushed aside when my cousin helps his girlfriend lose multiple times and I just lean back on the couch watching Sofia. The margarita glass in her hand is still full with her just holding it as an accessory.

I get up to make a diet Cola with lime still feeling the slight spin from the alcohol. I place it on the table with the four distracted by their argument on who won the round.

She places the glass on the table which I take settling back in my position on the opposite side of the couch.

Her eyes linger on mine, but there's no sign of anger.

"Okay new rule,"Mila starts leaning against her boyfriend. "No 'tame' stuff. We’re all adults here. If you’ve done it, you drink. If you lie and I catch you, you drink twice."

​Paolo groans. "You just want to see me suffer."

​"I want to see if Nova has a soul," Mila retorted, shotting a look my way.

I scoff, letting my elbow rest on couch head. She just wants to know what's going on between Sofia and me.

Start us off Paolo, "I say, my voice steady despite my heart thumping against my ribs.

"Fine. Never have I ever...hooked up with someone in this room,"

Mila and my cousin drink, laughing. Paolo and his boyfriend follow.

I look at her and her eyes are already on me. For a minute the laughs from the pairs grows faint, no rivalry, no tough act, just eye contact that strips me off my composure.

"Oh the plot thickens,"

Mila cheers when its Sofia's turn.

She toys with the rim of the half empty glass, with index finger tracing the circle over and over. "Never have I ever....wanted to kiss someone in this room just to shut them up,"

Mila gasps loudly, stomping her foot.

"Damn Sof Pow. Coming for blood i see,"

Sofia's eyes don't leave mine. I pick my glass up bringing it to my mouth. How I haven't passed out yet, after the day I just had is beyond me. I take a generous sip, finishing the contents and Paolo just refills it with vodka like he was waiting for this moment.

"I'll take that as a "yes" for Castiello," he laughs.

I set the glass down with a deliberate clack. It's my turn. I don't look at Mila. I look at the stray strands of hair on Sofia's face that keep adding whenever she looks down at her watch. I want to reach out and move them away from her face because it's really ruining my view of her face.

"Never have I ever,"I start locking my eyes with her. Testing her tolerance for someone reading her through her eyes.

"Wanted someone I knew was bad for me."

She lets out a smirk, her eyes shifting to the side before she reaches for the bottle, pouring herself a fresh shot. She's not supposed to be drinking. So she's testing my patience huh?

She takes the shot, my eyes never leaving hers. She doesn't even flinch at the burn.

The silence in the room is heavy. Like they stumbled on a behind the scenes before the actual movie.

"My turn,"she says skipping the line.

"Sofia that's not ho-"

"Never have I ever, been a hypocrite,"

She knows what she's doing. Is this about me caring about her condition? Is it the chauffeur comment that I never complained about? Either way I haven't been one, just patient.

She takes another shot with the rest just glaring at me. I did nothing.

"That's a drink for me," she murmurs. "And maybe one for you too, Nova. You’re the one holding the keys, aren't you?"

I chuckle. This was definitely about her chauffeur comment.

​"You guys are being weirdly intense," Mila notes, squinting at us. "Is there a sub-game I'm not invited to?"

I remain silent. Her bestfriend is controlling the game and I can't seem to stop playing. I take another drink from my glass and she just plasters a smile on her face.

"I'm out. I need air," she says getting off the couch and walking out to the balcony. The stares feel intense, so I get up to join her outside.