Page 144 of A Little Complicated

Reeves grins shamelessly back at her. “Drink up, Britney.”

“Whatever,” she replies but takes a long gulp from her red Solo cup.

I do the same.

“Never have I ever ice skated,” she says.

I take another drink, finishing the last of my beverage. Seemingly out of nowhere, a freshman offers me a plastic cup with amber liquid.

The guys are good at hosting and seem to think of everything, including refills. I’ll give them that much.

“Thanks,” I murmur as I take the beverage, and he nods, heading to the opposite side of the circle where a few girls look close to finishing their drinks.

“Never have I ever sucked a cock,” Cameron says beside Britney.

Most of the girls take another drink, but a few keep their cups in their hands, including Dylan, who gives me an awkward smile, resting her barely-touched drink in her lap. As I do my shot, I catch Reeves staring at her, his gaze openly curious. To be fair, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a subtle bone in his body. Everett’s staring at her, too, but his expression is unreadable until he catches Finley taking a sip, and his jaw tightens.

Sorry, dude. Your sister likes guys. Deal with it.

The game continues, and if the boys keep this up, I’ll be shit-faced before it’s even my turn. Then again, maybe it’s for the best. Archer still hasn’t shown up, and the idea of tracking him down so we can hopefully rip the Band-Aid off and talk to each other makes me feel like I need the liquid courage.

This is going to be a long night.

44

OPHELIA

Tapping my finger against my already half-empty mystery drink, tasting a lot like whiskey with a splash of Diet Coke, I bounce my knee up and down while attempting to focus on the game instead of the guy sitting beside me.

Seriously. How can one man smell so good?

We continue around the circle, taking turns drinking or waiting for the next question. When it’s almost Finley’s turn, a shadow grabs my attention from the patio, and my breath stalls.

Archer.

His hair is a mess, like he’s been running his hands through it, and his eyes are nothing but slits as he searches the grassy area. I clench the cup harder in my grasp, itching to run toward him and apologize. For his nose. For hurting him. For loving his brother even though I shouldn’t. Instead, I keep my butt in place and wait. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe I should go home.

And maybe you should grow a freaking backbone, Ophelia.

When his eyes land on me, Archer steps off the stairs but hesitates when Maverick shifts beside me in his seat.

Tension thickens the air around us as my attention shifts from one Buchanan brother to the next. Maverick’s messages mentioned he hasn’t spoken to his brother, but they live together, and it’s been a week. Is it really so easy to avoid someone?

Archer looks sloshed. Like he’s already had at least five shots as he continues toward the circle and plops into an open seat beside Griffin. Black swallows the blue in his eyes, making him look even more like his twin. His friendly demeanor has morphed into a cold, detached villain. It only feeds my anxiety, making it almost impossible to sit here and do nothing. Say nothing. Explain nothing.

Griffin takes his turn, but I don’t hear it. Cups are lifted. Shots taken. Laughter echoes around the circle. I don’t register any of it. I’m too busy being ripped apart by my best friend across from me.

“My turn,” Archer announces, leaning back in his seat and stretching his legs out in front of him. Everyone looks at him and waits. “Never have I ever kissed brothers.”

My eyes thin as he stares at me, making his intentions clear. He isn’t here to talk. He’s here to embarrass me. To make me feel an ounce of the pain I’ve inflicted on him. And since he’s clearly already drunk, his thoughts are a jumbled mess. Any hopes of speaking with the calm, level-headed friend I love go up in smoke. But if this is what he wants, what he needs to help him forgive me, so be it. Britney drinks from her cup, and my hand shakes as I lift mine to my lips, taking a small sip of my beverage. Even if someone sees me, it’s not like they know my history. I could be thinking about any brothers. Hell, I’m pretty sure I’ve kissed Jaxon and Griffin during Truth or Dare and Spin the Bottle at some point or another. They were on the cheek, but still. This sip doesn’t have to relate to the Buchanan twins.

Right?

Beside him, Everett looks around the group, confirming we’re all ready to move on. “Never have I ever worn a thong.”

The girls all take drinks. Then it’s Finley’s turn. “Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.”

A few of the guys and several girls chuckle, each lifting cups to their lips and drinking.

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