Page 116 of Best Served Cold

I greeted the people who called out to me, stopping to say a quick hello as I scanned the house for the twins.

I found them in the back living room standing together a bit away from the crowd.

River beamed and waved as soon as he saw me. Zane’s reaction wasn’t nearly as animated, but he actually smiled when he looked my way. Or at least what passed as a smile from him.

“Hey,” River greeted as I came up to them.

“Hi.” I glanced around. “Is it just me or are they starting early?”

River snickered. “Definitely starting early.”

Three couples were on the couch, the girls straddling the guys as they made out. A couple was tangled together on the loveseat, while another was getting familiar with each other on a recliner.

Music played through the house system, some EDM song I didn’t recognize, giving it a bit of a club feel, and the low lights added to the atmosphere.

No one was dancing, but a few couples were getting their freak on against the walls. Nothing too overt, but there were definitely hands up skirts and down pants.

“Pretty sure these Sunday parties are just an excuse for this.” Zane gestured at the room.

“Oh!” River perked up and waved at someone. “Gotta go talk to Jon. BRB.” He darted off.

“Is Jon the one who likes to fall off banisters?” I asked.

Zane’s mouth curled up in a grin. “Yup. Make sure you hide your lighter around him. He likes to start fires, too.”

“In a first stage of the psychopathy triangle way, or in a fire is pretty way?”

Zane snickered. “Little bit of both would be my guess. But he’s too dumb to be dangerous so we’re safe.”

“How do you feel about fires?” I gave him some side-eye. Maybe we could pretend like nothing had happened. But this version of Zane was weird in a different way. I didn’t know what to do with his smiles and conversation. Was this us becoming friends?

“They’re pretty.” He grinned, and the effect was terrifyingly evil.

“Goddamn.” I shivered as goosebumps raised on my skin. “How the fuck do you manage to look so sinister when you do that?”

“It’s a gift.” He nodded to my empty hands. “Not drinking?”

“Not for a while. And not vodka for even longer. You’re not drinking?”

“Driving.”

Silence descended.

“Will River be long?” I asked awkwardly.

“Probably. He’ll get distracted by something and lose track of time.”

“Cool. Cool cool.” I rocked on my feet.

“You’re being extra weird today,” he observed.

Of course I was. “Did I say anything on Friday?” I asked, my voice cracking with nerves. “Do anything I shouldn’t have?”

Zane gave me a look of understanding. He motioned for me to move into the corner with him, behind some shelves so we were out of view of the room. “What do you remember?” he said, hushed.

We were standing so close our chests were only inches apart. I tried to keep my focus on the conversation and not on his proximity and what it was doing to me.

“Not a lot. Do you have a butterfly knife?”

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