Page 31 of Devilry

Considering I’ve rejected Aiden every time he’s asked to do something not school related, I figure he’s sent in Callie as his back up.

“What do you guys have in mind?”

Her eyes sparkle in excitement. “Is that a yes?”

“Maybe,” I tease.

Walking in, she closes the door behind her and takes a seat on the edge of my bed. “What if we start slow? We’ll get some alcohol and food, and spend the night here drinking.”

“You guys don’t have to stay in for me.” I place the book on my nightstand and sit up. “I’m perfectly fine hanging out here.”

“It’s not a big deal,” she reassures me. “Just something we all could do to get your head out of your books.”

“I happen to like my books.” It’s supposed to lighten the mood, but comes out sounding too close to the truth. Callie looks at me like I just told her Santa Claus isn’t real, and I know I can’t keep declining their invites any longer. “So, how will you buy the alcohol?”

As soon as she registers my interest, a wide smile graces her lips, followed by excited clapping and a loud squeal.

“What do you like to drink?” She pulls her phone out of her pocket. “I’ll tell Aiden, and he can bring it on his way home.”

“I’m guessing you guys have a fake ID?”

“Doesn’t everyone?” she responds flippantly. When I don’t answer, her eyes widen. “Have you ever drunk alcohol?”

Trying not to sound like the naive and inexperienced guy that I am, I give a little shrug. “It just wasn’t on my radar at home.”

“This is going to be so much fun.” She launches herself at me and I catch her with a loud oomph. “It’s better that we’re home and you don’t get sloppy drunk in public.”

I don’t bother telling her that sloppy drunk isn’t going to happen; here or in public. Instead, I plaster on a smile and tell her I trust her and Aiden to introduce me to whatever corruption they have planned.

After a much-needed shower, I step into our small living room and see Aiden for the first time since he left me, annoyed with my response, earlier today.

Not wanting to continue with any awkwardness, I head to the drawer full of food menus, courtesy of Aiden, and place them on the table. “What do you want to eat? My treat.”

“No, it’s cool, we can go three ways,” Callie interrupts.

“I want to. Think of it as a thank you for putting up with my antisocial ass.”

The smallest smile appears on Aiden’s lips. “Works for me.”

An hour and a half later, Aiden is back with the food, the alcohol is lined up, and the three of us are sprawled on the couch and the floor passing around Chinese take-out containers.

“So, you never played seven minutes in heaven?” Callie starts. “What about spin the bottle?”

“Is it going to be like this all night?” I ask in between spoonfuls. “Twenty questions for the freak show?”

“Only if you’re willing to answer them,” Callie teases.

Aiden picks up three shot glasses from beside him, followed by the bottle of Sambuca “Let’s get this party started then.”

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach at the thought of being uninhibited and unfiltered. Alcohol wasn’t readily available growing up, and I made sure not to hang around with people who would draw any more negative attention to me. I wanted to leave that place behind me, sooner rather than later, and teenage temptations weren’t going to stop me.

A little voice makes itself known inside my head, telling me to relax. I got what I wanted; getting into King, getting away from home. It’s time to at least try to enjoy the freedom. Even though the chains of my past have been nothing but stifling and restrictive, I’m scared of who I’ll be without them.

“For every shot, we each answer a question,” Aiden tells us, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“Can we at least finish our food first?” I protest. “I don’t really want to drink on an empty stomach.”

Callie leans over and ruffles my hair. “It’s so cute how innocent you are.”

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