Page 23 of Vexing the Viper

"It's the liquor store down past the Lin River Bridge. It's our favorite one to go because they don't I.D., and that was the only way we can get booze. Unless we go to a party."

"Okay, let's go."

We leave the dorms, deciding to walk down to Brainz Liquor since it’s a warm night out.

King kicks a rock on the path before turning around and walking backward facing us. "There's so many places around here I still haven't been to. I get surprised all the time when I walk into somewhere new. Creelin is so unique compared to where I lived before; I never tire of finding new spots to hang out."

"I forget you're not from here," Mateo cuts in, and I nod my head in agreement.

"Yeah, where I come from, it's a small town in Washington. Everyone knows everyone; there are no secrets. And honestly, it's quite boring. Getting away from there was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It was starting to feel suffocating, and there was no way I could play baseball there, and that's always been my dream."

"Why baseball?" I ask, looking up into his eyes.

"It was a sport I played with my dad. He played it growing up and passed on his love of it to me. He never played past high school, and I was lucky enough to make it to where I am now."

Seems we have some things in common. Except King decided to embrace his father's love of baseball whereas I turned away from it. We make it to the store in no time at all, and I love seeing how King's eyes widen when he takes in the store in front of him.

"Does... does this place smell like bubblegum?" He turns around, lifting his nose into the air and breathing deeply. "Holy shit! It does."

He laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and I can't help but stare. A flutter appears in my stomach, and I rub at it,wondering where the hell that came from. King and Mateo walk down the first aisle, so I head down the second one to see what is available.

Lifting up one bottle, I sneeze, followed by Lox and Bo, and I quickly put the bottle back down. Damn, this place is dustier than I remember. Noticing the rum is farther down, I head toward it, trying to find the best rum that's also cheap. I take in every bottle, not quite finding the right one. There’s one in front of me that’s topped with fake blood, another one has a Genie on the worn-out label, but none are the one I’m looking for.

Heat hits my back and I freeze, my breathing coming out labored when an arm stretches past me and touches the Genie label on the shelf. "Hmm... I think this one would be good. Genie Gin." King's voice forces a tremble through my body.

Turning my head, I lock eyes with him, a smile filling my face. "That's a strong one. Gin. Are you sure you want to drink it?" I murmur, my eyes locked on his. They’re a gorgeous light golden brown with a hint of gold in the middle. I slowly turn my body around, his arms instantly coming out and landing on the shelf, keeping me in place. His muscles flex, and I can't stop myself from looking. I wonder what it would be like to be wrapped up in those strong arms.

"Hell yeah, we need the strong drinks. No wine coolers for us."

"Aw man, no wine coolers," I pout, staring into his eyes.

Mateo's voice cuts in as he comes down the aisle. King drops his arms quickly, and I instantly feel the loss of his heat. He swivels around and faces Mateo, laughing loudly. Following his line of sight, I snort when I take in Mateo holding a case of wine coolers.

"But wine coolers taste so good," Mateo whines, the bottles banging against the side of his leg when he drops his arm.

"I mean, you can definitely get them, but they're not as fun to drink." King shrugs.

King walks over to the cooler, and Mateo wiggles the wine coolers at me. "You know you want them."

"Oh, I do. You better buy them." We both laugh loudly, King turning around to see what's so funny. Neither of us says anything, our laughter getting louder.

"Do you like wine coolers, too?" he asks, sidling up next to me as we make our way down the next aisle.

"Sometimes. Have you ever tried them?"

"No, I'm not a big juice person, and it seems like it's an adult juice box."

"But that's what makes it so tasty." I move in closer to him, loving when his eyes widen and he freezes. "You'll have to try it. I guarantee you'll like it."

Mateo walks down the aisle and I back away from King. I'm not sure what game we're playing.

"You both ready?"

"Yes," we say simultaneously. King chuckles, and I roll my eyes as I push past him.

Stepping up to the counter, I smile when I see it's Savannah working behind the register. She’s sitting and playing on her phone. She looks the same as always, with her brown hair piled on her head and her wire rimmed glasses on her face.

"Hey," I tell her, placing my bottle on the counter.

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