Page 126 of Magic or Madness

“Come here, Fallon,” I say once she finishes, wiping her tears and consoling her.

“Fuck, my mouth is going to burn for days,” she cries, and we move forward, cheering as Oliver takes his turn.

He spins, landing on another classic option.

“Shotgun a beer, run two laps naked.” He tips his head back, laughing like a madman because this was his submission to the wheel, and somehow it’salwaysthe one he lands on.

“Alright, old friend. Let’s go!” He yells, stabbing a hole in the can, sucking it down like water.

Next, he strips out of everything but his boxers – out of respect for the girls – and runs up, then back down the street twice, screaming like a banshee the entire time.

“That one always gets my blood pumping!”

Lex, Journey, and myself are left, and I choose to take my punishment now, getting it out of the way.

I spin until the ticker stops, landing on a space that Fallon added.

“Confess a dirty little secret,” I read aloud, and everyone cheers, knowing I’m not the type to overshare.

“One of the older ladies from my neighborhood had a huge crush on me when I was like, sixteen. She’d always offer me cash to mow her lawn, or clean her pool, and afterwards we’d have lemonade together. Well, one hot summer afternoon she offered me a different method of payment, and I let it happen,” I confess, everyone’s eyes glued to mine while I tell my story.

“You got a blowjob from a grandma?” Oliver bluntly asks, and even I can’t help the laugh that escapes.

“She wasn’t a grandma, she was in her forties. She was one of those bored housewives. Pretty hot, actually,” I joke, feeling Fallon’s eyes burning a hole through my head.

“Best head ever, huh?”

“No, Bambi. Nothing compares to you, I swear.” I hold my hands up in defense, but she only shakes her head, rolling her dark-brown eyes at me.

Maybe that wasn’t the best story to tell, but it’s all I’ve got, really. I’m not much for secrets, especially dirty ones.

“Alright, I’m calling it a night.” I stand, brushing the ash from the fire off my lap, listening as everyone boos my decision.

“Excuse you all. He’s had a rough fucking day, and with everything we’re facing, you should get some sleep, too. We have a busy day tomorrow,” Fallon asserts, pointing at the guys and dumping the gallon of water onto the fire.

The flames sizzle and crack, but eventually die down, leaving the embers to crackle and burn until they flicker out.

All the guys move at her words, cleaning up the mess, and heading inside, Oliver tucking the wheel under his arm like he got in trouble.

They all tremble at her words, and she’s so well-spoken, the true Queen of the crew.

As much as I don’t want her sucked into this side of my life, the guys were right earlier when they said she’s a natural.

Fuck, she belongs here just as much as we do, but something keeps me from inviting her in fully, hoping that the element of danger will push her away. Knowing Fallon, though, it’ll only bring her in more, and she thrives off the sense of uncertainty. Look at where we are from where we started, her desire to follow me is what began this story, and her curiosity has never stopped her before.

Her protection, safety, and well-being is my number one priority, and the way she reacted to our fight is proof that she will never give up, whether there’s a resolution in sight, or not.

She’s stressed, upset, and pissed off at me for not listening sooner. I know when we get into bed, she’ll let me have it.

Now that I’m the head of the crew, I’m the biggest target, with arguably the most to lose, and I have to keep her safe. If something happens to Fallon, I’ll never forgive myself. Every move I make has to be calculated, correct, and most of all, beneficial to our future.

The pressure is on, and it's mounting quickly. If another domino falls, I may just tumble down with it.

“Come here, Ozzy,” she whispers, taking my hand and leading me to bed, pulling me back to reality.

Admittedly, I’m drunk, but seeing her lit up under the dim lights in our bedroom ignites something inside me, something that is so desperate to connect with her, that I’d stay up ‘til the sunrise just to be close to her – back to the way we’re supposed to be.

“I need to hold you, Bambi. I might die if I don’t,” I confess, and we strip each other down, climbing into bed together.

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